The Ghosts in the Clouds

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: August 8, 2017

Review

In the fourth book in the series, it's wintertime at Hotel Strange and everyone is getting ready for a long winter's rest. But where is Mr. Snarf, ghost keeper of the reservations book? The Hotel Strange crew are just in time to see him hauled away by the Ghost Police. Now they must travel into the clouds to rescue him. In a hot air balloon built by their own hands, the gang travels to the Land of Ghosts. Once there, they discover that EVERYthing is forbidden, from rolling in the soft clouds to sweets to laughing. Thrown in jail for breaking many rules, Mr. Leclair turns to books to set them free, specifically the Rule Book of Ghosts. Citing "Rule Rainbow," it is forbidden to forbid, Mr. Leclair frees everyone, including Mr. Snarf. The power of words, books, and friendship saves the day. Colorful, zany, and perfect for 2nd-4th grade readers or emerging readers. The end is a little abrupt as the crew once again set off in their balloon headed for home, and readers who enjoy some closure to their story could be disappointed. Perhaps Book 5 will be the journey home? Or perhaps the authors felt that rescuing Mr. Snarf and getting away to a joyful fanfare was enough of an ending. Regardless, this is an appealing series and hopefully more volumes are in the works.

Overall Book Score: very good