The Ghost-Hunting Special
The Boxcar Children Series
on Goodreads (23)
What’s inside...
A new spooky 3-in-1 bind-up perfect for Halloween! Includes three ghostly Boxcar mysteries. The Mystery of the Midnight Dog (#81): A small Southern town is full of stories, including one about a ghostly dog that walks in the night! The Ghost at the Drive-In Movie (#116): Strange things are happening at an old outdoor movie theater that's rumored to be haunted! The Return of the Graveyard Ghost (#133): Legend has it that a tomb at the cemetery will give some visitors good luck and bad luck to others!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
352 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the ghost feel the need to hide? How would you help a friend who felt the same?
If you were part of the ghost-hunting team, what role would you choose and why?
How do the characters show bravery throughout the story? Can you recount a time when you felt brave?
What lessons did the characters learn by the end of the book? How do you think these lessons could apply to your own life?
Imagine you could talk to the ghost. What would you say or ask?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and different voices for each character to make the story come alive. This helps capture the child’s imagination and keeps them engaged.
Pause at suspenseful moments to ask your child what they think might happen next. This builds anticipation and interactive participation.
After reading, relate the story to personal experiences or current situations in your child's life to make the themes more relatable.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. This helps them connect visually and emotionally with the story.
Discuss the moral of the story and ask your child how they would apply it in their own life, reinforcing the book’s message.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: The characters in 'The Ghost-Hunting Special' confront spooky situations and learn to overcome their fears through bravery and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this when dealing with their own fears, be it during the night, facing new challenges at school, or meeting new people.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The ghost hunting team needs to work together, combining their skills to solve mysteries, which highlights the value of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of cooperating in group projects or in sports, understanding that together everyone achieves more.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and learning
Explanation: The characters' adventure starts from a place of curiosity, leading them to uncover the truth behind the ghost stories.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions and seek answers in their everyday life, promoting a love for learning and discovery.