Item Detail

Barry Harrison, his older sister Robin, and his sometimes homesick friend Spencer investigate the origin of the ghostly voice that warns them away from their new summer cabin on Horseshoe Lake

Barry and Robin Harrison, 10 and 12, are looking forward to spending the summer at a lake cabin. While their mother commutes to work each day, they will be on their own, with only Barry's friend, Spencer, for company. The first Monday together is rainy and bleak; a voice in the night cries, ``Go away!'' They hear the voice the next night, too. The mystery is solved when Barry, Robin and Spencer meet a neighboring family whose grandfather becomes confused at times andbelieving he still owns the Harrisons' property``haunts'' it. Stilted prose and dialogue mar this mystery, but Barry is a likable hero, and his observations are gently humorous. (7-10) Copyright 1986 Cahners Business Information.

---

Gr 4-6 Ten-year-old Barry Harrison and his older sister Robin long for ``Adventure'' to fill the coming summer. Their mother's announcement that she has purchased a cabin on a nearby lake in the Minnesota woods promises to provide the opportunity for which they've been wishing. Once there, though, a voice in the night demanding that they get off the property convinces the children that the cabin is haunted. After a few days of exploring, the children solve the mystery and meet some friendly neighbors with appropriately aged children to ensure a summer of fun. There really isn't much mystery or adventure (even without the capital ``A'') here, but most of the characters are engaging (although Mrs. Harrison's impracticality is difficult to believe at times). While not as well written as the author's ``Angel'' books (Houghton) or Johanna Hurwitz' ``Aldo'' series (Morrow), all of which are for this age group, . . .Haunted Cabin will provide a few hours of welcome diversion for undemanding mystery buffs. A return appearance from these sleuths in a less-contrived setting would be welcome, too. Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, Mass. Copyright 1987 Cahners Business Information.