Ghost of the Southern Belle

This is a very good children's book. The story is captivating, and so are the illustrations. However, certain illustrations seem to have been taken right out of the movie version of 'Moby Dick' starring Gregory Peck. They show a man in one painting who looks exactly like the character Stubb from Moby, and even wears the same hat in the same way that character did. Also, harpooners Tashtego and Dagoo are present. I've checked my 'Moby Dick' DVD, and confirmed that it isn't just my imagination. All I can say is, "WOW!"

This book had lots of suspense. I enjoyed the pictures a lot even though I'm pretty old to read books with pictures. The pictures had lots of details and gave you a perfect idea of what time period it took place in. I hope you enjoy this book the way I did. I guarantee you that anyone who reads this book will be engrossed until the very end.

I thought that this story was about a lesson not to let your friends drown in the water because when you do that the spirits go bad-tempered. My favorite part was when the pirate was throwing the silver and gold chinese balls. I think kids 5 and up should read this book.

Odds Bodkin comes with an interesting sea tale of a boy who must race a ghost ship, the Southern Belle captained by a man named LeNoir. As ships become dashed against the rocky shoreline with each storm because of the Southern Belle, the need for this race to occur becomes more apparent. The story is highly unlikely, even given its supernatural nature of dealing with ghost ships, but is beautifully illustrated with copies of paintings. Bodkin shows that one needs more than luck to master events that one comes across in life... one needs heart and daring as well.Crazy James