Ghosts I Have Been

Let me start by saying that this is a VERY unusual book. To some, this kind of unusual could be bad, but to me, it is good. I really cannot compare it to anything that I have ever read before, because it is SO different. To be incisive, it is a great book. The story is about a 14-year-old girl named Blossom Culp, going about her everyday life until a certain cataclysm brings her world, and another's, sinking down. Blossom is a hilarious character with spunky quirks and a strong cleverness that makes the whole story captivating. By the end of the book, I felt like I knew Blossom. I really liked her attitude and the way that she handled certain situations. The horrible event that I mentioned brings her into a tragic happening of the recent past that a restless soul will not let go. One day she finds out that she has the Gift of the Second Sight. This sudden discovery links her fate with the ghost of a young boy who life was sunk, literally. Once the destinies of the two met, both the living one and the dead, they would be changed forever. The boy causes her to worry a great deal about the purpose of her visions of him, and later, something even bigger. She then surprises the world by making a huge break-through to the Other Side, which attracts a lot of publicity. Through all of this her life stays relatively normal. Her mother is still a spooky, dark-eyed fortune-teller, her friend Alexander is still a smug and supposed "gang-member," and everyone in her town is still sure of how eccentric she is. She has a perpetual connection with all things ghostly, whether it's foiling a fake spirit or getting in touch with a real one. This is an excellent book; its humor, intense theme, and deep concepts are all outstanding. I would reccomend this book for girls ages 10-15 so that they can relate to Blossom. This is definitely one of my favorite books, though very unlike the others. The whole book, each individual event, is dependent on events from the past and future of the story. This book is written by Richard Peck, whose books I have read before, all of which I have enjoyed. He is a truly imaginative, suspenseful, and complex author. I loved this book and hope that you do as well. :-)

Fourteen year old Blossom Culp lives in a small town in 1913 with her eccentric mother and a penchant for getting into troubles and adventures. When she discovers that she has a sixth sense, Blossom uses her gift to help a few local citizens and things proceed merrily until she has a crushing vision of the sinking of the Titanic a year earlier. Fame and fortune brought on by the revelation of this vision bring many changes to Blossom's life, not the least of which is a change in her relationship with her friend,Alexander Armsworth. Peck makes this story so much more than a ghost tale; it's a delightful romp through the paranormal in a more innocent time period. Peck never fails to amuse and often makes the reader laugh out loud over Blossom and her antics. This is recommended for kids of all ages.

The novel, 'Ghosts I Have Been', is a suspensful, compassionate story. The main character, Blossom Culp, discovers she has the ability to see ghosts, and to view past events. This power is fun until she sees something terrible. Blossom finds herself in a room on the doomed Titanic as it is sinking. What she sees will be an international controversy, and open a pandora's box. I personally loved this book, and would reccomend it to everyone. It is suspensful, exiting, and has great characters. Peck's masterpiece is a must read for all ages.

Like many another reviewer, I'm 30ish now but still go back to reread this wonderful book periodically, in part because it is so mature and intelligent, and in part because it never dumbs things down for young readers; while it incorporates big laughs and genuine chills, it is also an engrossing and moving portrait of a spunky and self-reliant young woman who discovers her own psychic powers (a truly mixed blessing). The first-person narration is some of the most skillful I've ever encountered: with her wry humor, clear-eyed honesty, and pluck, Blossom is convincing and engaging in every word she says. Readers (of any age) who enjoy this book should definitely go back to read its predecessor, The Ghost Belonged to Me, which offers a similar mix of laughs and goosebumps, as well as an equally vivid period setting, but lacks the gritty charm of Blossom as narrator. This is one of the books that helped form my taste for intelligent ghost stories with the flavor of another era, and I highly recommend it.

I have read this book many times over the years, starting when I was about 12 or so. I just reread it this last spring (I just turned 30). Richard Peck is eternal, and this story is one that keeps one riveted and entertained throughout. Never a boring moment, and it is easy to get caught up in the intricate plot line. An original quirk to the Titanic tragedy as well. I recommend this book highly to young adults and adults...a good book to read together with children!