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Ghost Soldier
by Elaine Marie Alphin
(discussion 2/1 - 2/29/2004)
Sunday, February 01, 2004
A new month, a new book!
Have you read Ghost Soldier by Elaine Marie Alphin? Let us know
what you think. We're looking forward to hearing your opinions!
posted by shadowpuppy 2/1/2004
02:59:15 PM
Monday, February 02, 2004
The book Ghost Soldier, written by Elaine Marie Alphin, tells two
stories of transitions. Alexander and his father were abandoned by his
mother several years before. Now Alexander's father is reaching out,
forming a new relationship and he wants Alexander to accept this new life.
The other is that of a ghost who cannot rest. Richeson Francis Chamblee
died in the siege of Petersburg. He was a Confederate soldier who cannot
rest until he knows what happened to his family, especially one sister -
Louise, who were caught in the path of Sherman's March through North
Carolina. Read, and discuss, the changes and discoveries each of these
young men make. How does this unusual friendship benefit each? What does
Alexander learn about himself, his father and his absent mother? How do
Alexander and Chamblee work together to learn the answers to the young
ghost soldier's family's fate?
posted by shadowkitty 2/2/2004
12:23:25 PM
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
I really like the way Alexander is able to see ghosts - through the mist,
like mists of time. I also think he could be a little more supportive of
his father. After all his father stayed with him and didn't run out like
his mother.
posted by minadancer 2/4/2004
12:44:43 PM
Thursday, February 05, 2004
I think this is a great book! I think(from where I am in the book)
Alexander should talk to the ghost sometime. He really needs help and maybe
Alexander will learn smething, even though it's really hard to believe
you're talking to a ghost.
posted by K9 2/5/2004
04:29:51 PM
Friday, February 06, 2004
Well, I'm a little frustrated that I can't find a copy of the book at any
library, it really sounds good! Next time, I promise myself that I will
read it the week BEFORE the discussion starts :)
Until I get a copy, I'm just following the discussion and I'm curious about
K9's post. Doesn't Alexander talk to the ghost??? Is he afraid of it, or
does he just think it is not real, so he is ignoring it?
Arrrggghhh! I WANT THE BOOK!!!
posted by avdandrea 2/6/2004
08:51:33 AM
Monday, February 09, 2004
Would you speak to a ghost, or be a bit afraid, if you were to encounter
one? Alexander is aware he sees these ghosts, and has previously seen
others. Maybe he doesn't want to get involved in the ghost's quest?
posted by shadowkitty 2/9/2004
08:06:20 AM
I think Alexander is curious about the ghost because he knows that other
people don't see ghosts, so why can he? Alexander becomes so involved on
this quest that he can't help but to talk to the ghost! If I saw a ghost, I
probably wouldn't believe it at first and then after seeing the ghosts for
awhile, I would talk to it. Maybe they have something good to say to me! :)
posted by hugnsmile1 2/9/2004
10:49:17 AM
Yay!! I got the book this afternoon! And it is SO good, I am half-way
thru it already. The author really does a good job of describing Alex's
confusion, frustration and denial (?) about his mom's leaving and his dad's
relationship with Mrs. Hambrick, and his fear, wariness (?) and excitement
about Rich, the ghost. She makes such an unreal plot very believable. Wow!
I can't wait to see what happens next.
posted by avdandrea 2/9/2004
11:08:32 PM
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
The windchime bit is sooooo eerie! I do wish Alexander could share more
with his father and would be more open to Mrs. Hambrick's kids. They really
could help him out more with Richeson's problem because they live in the
area. I'm really liking this ghost story.
posted by minadancer 2/11/2004
09:32:40 AM
You're right about the wind chimes
being eerie! I'm wondering what's up with the orangey smell??? Ghost
stories always talk about the "coldness" around the ghost, and
that it can move things, or make things happen, like the wind chimes, but I
think the smell is unusual, don't you?
I have gotten to the part where Nicole suspects that Alexander knows what
the coldness is all about. It's good how the author is very, very slowly
bringing the kids together.
posted by avdandrea 2/11/2004
09:52:50 AM
I apologize for veering slightly off-topic...
February is voting month for the Rebecca Caudill Award. You bloggers
represent several different schools. Are any of your schools participating
in the vote?
At the Blogger Book Club we have read 7 of the 20 nominees. Do you think
one of those 7 will be the winner?
posted by shadowpuppy 2/11/2004
10:11:08 AM
Thursday, February 12, 2004
I agree w/ you avdandrea. I am really curious about that orangey smell,too.
Alexander is now finally talking to the ghost. I like how Rich and him
began talking after they played music together. I guess it calmed Alexander
down a bit. I think that what happened to Rich's family is really sad.
posted by K9 2/12/2004
05:20:59 PM
Hey! I'm waiting for the book my friend has it out. (K9!) I've always
wanted to read this book!!! It seems interesting of what I read on the
posts. Well, Bye!!!
posted by sportzgirl 2/12/2004
05:59:30 PM
Here I am better late than never. I have actually read the book and
found it sooooo good. I couldn't put it down! I like Alex as he is an
interesting character. I think that Nicole is a little creepy herself.
I am wondering about the orange smell and what that might mean.
I suppose it may be symbolic but aren't the cold and clanging chimes enough
already. I think that Alex should just help the poor ghost as
he doesn't seem to be going anywhere. Hey, at least his life is not boring.
Thats the thing about ghosts, they need to have peace.
posted by daisymaisy 2/12/2004
08:20:46 PM
Sportzgirl, you should get the book! It is really good.
I heard that the Chat Pack at Roselle Middle talked about it last week and
the boys really liked it, but the girls didn't. I was surprised. I think
maybe the girls didn't give it a chance. I didn't think I would like it
because the main character is a boy and it's about history and war and
stuff. But I loved it.
posted by avdandrea 2/12/2004
11:38:01 PM
Friday, February 13, 2004
The orange smell seems to foreshadow Alexander seeing a ghost. The chimes
and the cold let us know the ghost is present. What other events are
forshadowed as we read this book. Can you go back and say "Oh, Yeah!
the author was trying to let the reader know something was going to
happen," after reading a section? What about when Alexander visits the
company his father is trying to get a job at, and must stay outside in the
"play ground" area?
posted by shadowkitty 2/13/2004
10:04:38 AM
Monday, February 16, 2004
Here's an interesting
short story that also relates to a smell associated with a Civil War
ghost. I had never heard of this phenomenon.
posted by shadowpuppy 2/16/2004
09:31:12 AM
Yeah, I'm understanding what you mean by "foreshadowing." Its
like when Alexander goes off by himself when he, his dad, and the Hambricks
visit Fort Stedman. Just before Alexander meets the ghost, he's walking
alone and thinking about how the battle was when - zap - he smells the
orange smell and he's in the thick of it. We start looking for it to happen
as Alexander is walking along without anyone near him. What also interested
me was that Richeson Chamblee was able to see him and asked for help. It
was like the ghosts know they are ghosts, and this one knew Alexander was
the one "living" person who could put him to rest. Did anyone
else get that?
posted by minadancer 2/16/2004
02:23:12 PM
Thursday, February 19, 2004
!!News Flash!!
(here I go off-topic again!)
The 2005
Rebecca Caudill Award nominees have just been announced.
We'll be starting to read from the 2005 list in May or June, so take a look
at the list and let us know what you would like to read!
posted by shadowpuppy 2/19/2004
04:51:10 PM
Monday, February 23, 2004
Alexander's relationship with his father is somewhat strained. Is there any
real communication between the two? What about between Nicole and her
mother? How similiar are the situations or are they not similiar at all? Do
you think these two families will be able to blend after the events of
Alexander's visit?
posted by shadowkitty 2/23/2004
03:25:17 PM
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Alexander has to learn that it is not his
fault that his mom left. His dad understands that and he wants to move on
with his life. He is trying to help Alex get to that point, too, but at the
beginning of the story, anyway, Alex is not ready. Nicole and her mom seem
to be in the same situation, added to the fact that Nicole is being a
typical teenager. As the kids start to get along, it seems things start to
get better for everyone.
posted by avdandrea 2/24/2004
10:08:33 AM
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