Penelope Lively is the only author to have won both the Booker Prize and the Carnegie Medal, the two most prestigious awards, one for an adult book and the other for a children’s book. It was this novel, The Ghost of Thomas Kempe, that won the Carnegie Medal and if you read it you’ll know why. This is a story that will keep the reader gripped to the page as it builds to an incredibly exciting climax as Thomas Kempe the ghost seems intent on getting James into awful trouble with his family.
An iconic ghost story for children from Penelope Lively, one of the modern greats of British fiction.
Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there…
James is fed up. His family has moved to a new cottage - with grounds that are great for excavations, and trees that are perfect for climbing - and stuff is happening. Stuff that is normally the kind of thing he does. But it's not him who's writing strange things on shopping lists and fences. It's not him who smashes bottles and pours tea in the Vicar's lap.
It's a ghost - honestly. Thomas Kempe the 17th century apothecary has returned and he wants James to be his apprentice. No one else believes in ghosts. It's up to James to get rid of him. Or he'll have no pocket money or pudding ever again.
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe is a timeless thriller, with a ghostly mystery and all the fun and mischief of being nine years old. Perfect for fans of Eva Ibbotson, Tom's Midnight Garden and Helen Cresswell's Moondial.
'A mischievous boy hero and an equally amusing ghoul,' Guardian
Author
About Penelope Lively
Penelope Lively is an author with a shelf full of awards. For her book, A Stitch in Time, she scooped the Whitbread award; The Ghost of Thomas Kempe earned her the Carnegie Medal in 1973 and she has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize several times for her adult novels. Penelope has written a number of Yellow Banana books for Egmont including Dragon Trouble and Debbie and the Little Devil.
Penelope regularly reviews books and writes articles for the national papers. She has also written radio and TV scripts; and acted as presenter for a Radio 4 programme on children's literature.
Penelope Lively was born in Cairo, Egypt and spent her childhood there. She came to England at the age of twelve, in 1945, and after boarding school she studied Modern History at Oxford University.
In 1957 Penelope married Jack Lively (who died in 1998) and they had two children, Josephine and Adam. Penelope now lives in London close to her four grandchildren. With her great sense of humour, Penelope describes herself as a working nanny!
An iconic ghost story for children from Penelope Lively, one of the modern greats of British fiction. Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there… James is fed up.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Ghost of Thomas Kempe and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Fantasy / Magical, Horror & Ghost Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Classic Literature
Paperback, Hardback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe was written by Penelope Lively and published by Farshore an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
