Bibliographical information:  L.M. Boston, Children of Green Knowe. Sandpiper: 2002 (1954)

Brief summary:  Toseland, a boy, is sent to live with his great grandmother in an ancient manor house in the English countryside.  Through exploring the house and grounds, through encounters with the spirits of three of his ancestors as children and through family stories related by his great-grandmother, he comes to learn about his family and its history.

Comments:  Although there are spirits in this book, Toseland is never scared.  His enchantment with the past and with the house and its natural surroundings is infectious.

Grade/Age level: 2-4

Cautions:  In later books in this series there are some characters of different racial and ethnic origins who are portrayed in ways that, while probably progressive in the 1950s, are problematic and it would be helpful to discuss their reliance on stereotypes with a young reader.

If you like this book, you might also like . . .The Chronicles of Narnia

--[Elizabeth Hutchinson]

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