FeedDripping Blood Cave and Other Ghostly Stories by Raymond Bial
May 5, 2011 in Bial Raymon, Book Club Possibility, Creative Writing activities, Elementary Educators, Making Personal Connections, Middle Grade Novel, Reading Skills, Research Ideas Tags: Book giveaway, books for boys, ghost stories, middle grade novels for boys, middle-grade novels
I am happy to tell you about Dripping Blood Cave and Other Ghostly Stories from Crickhollow Books today and to be GIVING AWAY ONE FREE COPY from the publisher. Just leave a comment on this post by Sunday, May 8 at 8:00 p.m. CST for your chance to win (U.S. and Canada mailing addresses only please). You don’t need to tell us anything special in your comment to enter the contest, but if you want to tell us your favorite ghost/spooky story or why you like spooky stories, then please do. Make sure to leave an e-mail address with your comment. Now on to the book. . .
*Middle-grade novel, paranormal
*Teenage boys as main characters
*Rating: Dripping Blood Cave is full of cute ghost stories and quite a cast of characters. Kids will love these ghostly adventures.
Short, short summary: Here’s another installment in the Hank and Clifford series. Hank is courageous and does everything right. Clifford is a coward and does everything wrong–but in a loveable sort of way. The two find themselves facing several ghosts in this sequel, along with their girlfriends, Rosie and Mary Ethyl. For example, at Dripping Blood Cave, some angry Native Americans are seeking revenge or there’s the Civil War soldiers and the island that people aren’t returning from. What happens when the four friends face these ghosts and more? Find out in this latest installment. (You do not need to read the first two novels in order to enjoy this book.) By the way, Raymond Bial has written over 100 books for kids and adults!
So, what do I do with this book?
1. The characters in this book are so strong and unique. This is a great book to do a character study with, especially comparing and contrasting Hank and Clifford. Students can start with a Venn diagram and then write a paragraph or paper about their similarities and differences.
2. Challenge your students to write their own ghost story after discussing how Raymond Bial set up his. How did he create suspense? Why do you believe his stories could actually happen? How did he set up his world? and so on. . .
3. Raymond Bial brings some history into his ghost stories. Students and children can discuss what parts of the book are based on historical stories and what part is completely made up. If students are working on ghost stories, they can bring historical facts into their stories.
Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win.
May 5th, 2011 at 6:34 am
Sounds like a great book, Margo. I love ghost stories. From the time I was young, Casper the Friendly Ghost was one of my favorite cartoon characters.
Donna
May 5th, 2011 at 11:02 am
Sounds like an interesting book. My favorite ghost story is the skeptic who didn’t believe in haunted houses stayed in one and in the morning he saw a confederate soldier down by the stream behind the house.
It’s good to know what books are out there.
May 5th, 2011 at 11:05 am
Sounds like a wonderful book. I like ghost stories. My favorite story is about
the skeptic who didn’t believe in haunted houses. He stayed in one and in the
morning he saw a confederate soldier down by the stream behind the house.
May 5th, 2011 at 11:19 am
My favorite ghost story was the old one about “the Golden Arm”. My cousin absolutely terrified me when I was about six by telling it to me in the dim light of a streetlight with dark all around. Ooooohhhh…!
May 5th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
SO COOL! I’m working on a scary YA novel and this has given me the inspiration to finish it. Sounds GREAT!
Thanks so much, Margo!
Chynna
http://www.lilywolfwords.ca
http://www.the-gift-blog.com
http://www.seethewhiteelephants.com
May 5th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
I’m like Donna–I loved Casper the friendly Ghost! But here’s a funny thing about me and ghost stories: I love reading about ‘em, but I don’t like watching scary movies with ghosts and such. Unless it’s Ghostbusters. That was HILARIOUS.
And P.S. If I win, I’ll pass the book on to a ghost-loving kid as soon as I finish reading it.
May 5th, 2011 at 4:44 pm
Thanks Margo for an interesting book. My nephews would love it.
May 5th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
I love ghost stories and have a hard time keeping them on my shelves. I’m not familiar with this one but it sounds like something my students would love. I can’t say I have a favorite ghost story. I do believe Mary Downing Hahn writes some really terrific ones.
May 6th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Hey Margo,
Sounds entertaining and fun; with kids, fun works. A favorite ghost story is Topper. I did always love Casper. I like to think ghosts are friendly rather than what ghosts might be in Middle-Grade fiction…hmmm. BOO!
May 7th, 2011 at 5:37 am
Oh, I would LOVE to read that book, then each of my girls would enjoy it. We all love a great ghost story. Right now we all enjoy reading “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.”
May 7th, 2011 at 6:11 am
I like time-travel books; this is a different twist on ways to get back to the old days.
Thanks for telling me about it!
May 7th, 2011 at 6:20 am
I love ghost stories, Margo…if they are not too gruesome. Looks like an interesting book for middle schoolers and adults, too.
May 7th, 2011 at 7:40 am
Nothing better than a good ghost story! I love to watch as my son and his friends all gravitate toward my books about the supernatural. I know they would love Dripping Blood Cave, too!
May 7th, 2011 at 7:48 am
Sounds like a great book. I surely would love to read it.
May 7th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
The kids are our library LOVE ghost stories! We can’t keep them on the shelves long enough! They always get checked out! Would love to win this and donate it to our children’s book collection!
May 8th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Hmmm…I love ghost stories. Burnt Offerings the movie is just wonderful! I love being scared! Sounds like a terrific book.
donna at donnamcdine dot com
May 10th, 2011 at 9:50 pm
Thanks to everyone that commented and for those of you who shared your favorite ghost stories.
The winner is. . .June!
Happy reading!
Margo