Fun faced pace book about ghosts. Mixed in a few laughs also. ( )

The Crossroads is a scary book about a boy named Zach whose family moves into his father's hometown in order to start a new life. Their new house is located right in the crossroads of the town where a bus accident in 1958 took the lives of all but one of the passengers. Zach makes friends with Davy, a boy who lives on a farm nearby and begins to feel that their move might work out, but Zach's stepmother starts to research some of the strange incidents that begin occurring in and around the crossroads. This is a really creepy story that should interest anyone who likes scary mysteries. ( )

A real great read! I just started this book because I'm in children's horror phase but man oh man, wasn't it so exciting that I needed and did read it in one sitting. I'm glad I found author Chris Grabenstein. His story telling is easy and engaging, there is not one boring slump in whole book. It's fast-paced and interesting right from the start with right amount of humor. It's ideal for middle-grade but suitable for younger kids too and even adults will find it enjoyable. ( )

I enjoyed the creepiness of this ghost story, as well as the friendship of the the boys. The story has a surprising amount of depth - in addition to the numerous ghosts filling the town, Zack is also haunted by the memory of his dead mother. As he comes to terms with the haunted mystery, he also comes to terms with his personal ghost. ( )

This is a spooky story that I expect middle grade kids to really enjoy. In fact, I'm surprised that it isn't more well known, because I know a lot of kids who love scary stories. I personally liked it much better than Grabenstein's Lemoncello books. It kind of a reminded me of those ghost stories from childhood about the ghost who roams the night carrying a lantern trying to avenge it's death.

I have to admit that it's kind of convoluted story. There are many characters to keep up with and how they are all related. Zack, his dad, and his new stepmother have moved back to his dad's hometown. Turns out his dad has a connection to a tragic bus accident that happened back in the 1950s. A bus and truck collided at an intersection known as the crossroads, killing the driver of the truck and nearly everyone on the bus. Now there are ghosts that roam the crossroads at night, unable to rest. All the ghosts are harmless except one, the driver of the truck. He was chasing down his wife on the bus to stop her from interfering in his plans to illegally marry a wealthy woman.

Zack's family has bought a new house near that crossroads. In fact the haunted tree that the truck driver hit so many years ago, is on their property. A spiteful, mean old woman brings flowers to the tree every Monday. His dad has the tree cut down, which ignites the fury of the ghost and old woman Spratling. The ghost is out to avenge every descendent of everyone that did him wrong, including Zack's family. Zack and his new friend are determined to help get rid of the tree stump in the hopes that it will send the horrible ghost on its way.

As in many books, the ending gets rushed with a lot of stuff happening, as all the pieces come together. My favorite part is the slow build up as we learn about all the characters and how they are connected. I especially like Zack's friend Davis who calls his Pardner. Hmmm. Not too many people in today's world talking like that. Is that a clue? ( )