This was a truly fun story penned by the same author who gave us the remarkable Dark is Rising series.

The story kicks off with the introduction of the title character, the mischievous Boggart of Castle Keep.

Soon after, the point of view shifts to that of Emily and Jessup Volnik. Their father has just inherited the castle upon the death of his great uncle.

The Boggart initially begins by playing numerous pranks on the Volnik family within the castle walls. However, they don't take the bait, mainly because they know nothing about boggarts.

It's not until they return home, determined to sell the castle and resume their normal lives, that the story truly gains momentum. Two items of furniture from the castle arrive, which Maggie allowed her kids to keep. The boggart, by accident, gets locked into the desk that Emily claimed. So now, he finds himself in Canada.

What ensues is a fast-paced tale of the kids gradually realizing that something strange is happening and coming to understand that it's a boggart. Meanwhile, a parapsychologist becomes aware of the oddness and starts to suspect poltergeists and the Volnik's pre-teen daughter as the source.

The boggart manages to find his own way to get back home, but the challenge lies in how he can communicate his plan to the kids. They ultimately learn through sheer desperation.

Just like in the other books I've read by Cooper, she has done an outstanding job of capturing the true essence of how kids of this age behave. Despite Jessup being a very smart child, he's still a kid and can't handle everything on his own.

I absolutely loved this story and I'm truly glad that I had the opportunity to read it. It was a delightful and enjoyable "break" before I embark on reading more serious stories for the remainder of the year.

That was a truly entertaining little Scottish themed story.

The Boggart, with its mischievous antics, was a delight to observe. It brought a sense of excitement and mystery to the narrative.

The kids in the story seemed to be appropriately overwhelmed by the presence of the Boggart. Their reactions added to the charm and authenticity of the tale.

In a way, it can be considered as a sort of Gremlins lite. While it may not have the same level of intensity and horror as the classic Gremlins, it still has its own unique appeal.

The story manages to capture the essence of Scottish folklore and create a engaging and enjoyable read for readers of all ages.

Overall, it was a great little story that left a lasting impression.

I have a preference for some of Susan Cooper's fantasies tailored for kids over this particular one. However, it still had its moments of enjoyment.

I embarked on reading it with my young children, an 8-year-old and a 10-year-old, as part of our homeschooling general reading curriculum. It was recommended on one of those lists of excellent books for kids that I came across while perusing. So, we decided to give it a try!

In this story, two kids hailing from Toronto take a trip to Scotland. During their adventure, they accidentally bring back a mischievous fairy known as a boggart to Canada. Once there, the boggart proceeds to wreak havoc and cause all kinds of trouble.

The story unfolds with the kids having to deal with the consequences of their accidental act and find a way to send the boggart back where it belongs. It's a lighthearted and entertaining tale that kept my kids engaged and entertained throughout.

I wasn't anticipating anything extraordinary from this book.

I simply picked it up due to my strange knack for locating covers featuring creepy kids in used bookstores.

However, listening to the audiobook turned out to be a truly wonderful experience.

The narrator's voice was impeccably suited for the story.

I absolutely adored the Boggart himself.

The book has a touch of tongue-in-cheek humor, yet it also contains excellent descriptions of the scenery.

There are some really lovely moments between the brother and sister, as well as between the parents and children.

It's a charming and engaging read that I'm glad I discovered.

Overall, it exceeded my initial expectations and left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

I would highly recommend this audiobook to others looking for an entertaining and heartwarming story.

The book is good, but it's not something that I would consider outstanding.

The story centers around two characters and how the boggart causes trouble for them. Initially, it was very enjoyable, but towards the end, the book began to feel stale and uninteresting.

However, I would still recommend this book to children. It's a short read, which makes it accessible and easy to get through. Additionally, it can be quite fun for kids.

Although it may not be a literary masterpiece, it has its charm and can provide some entertainment for young readers.

Overall, it's a decent book that has its pros and cons, but it's definitely worth considering for children who are looking for a light and enjoyable read.

I truly wish there were boggarts around this place.

However, unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any as of yet.

What is present here are mostly just weasels and frogs.

It makes me think that perhaps if we still resided in Ireland, we might have been able to come across a boggart.

I remember hearing stories about boggarts back in Ireland.

They were said to be mischievous and tricky creatures.

I would have loved to encounter one and see for myself if the stories were true.

But for now, in this new place, it seems that the boggarts are absent, and I can only imagine what it would be like to have one around.

Maybe one day, I'll get the chance to experience the presence of a boggart, whether it's here or in some other place.

Until then, I'll have to content myself with the company of the weasels and frogs that inhabit this area.

I thought this was a truly delightful children's book.

There were certain parts that were incredibly sad, yet they only served to enhance the story.

It is definitely a great book to read aloud to your kids.

The boggart, on one hand, is frustrating as it constantly creates chaos. But on the other hand, it is also endearing with its unique personality.

Just when you start to think how wonderful it would be to have a boggart of your own, it does something completely crazy that makes you relieved that you don't.

This book has a great balance of emotions and adventures that will keep children entertained and engaged from start to finish.

It's a must-read for any child who loves a good story.

As suggested in Excellent Books for Early and Eager Readers, there are numerous benefits to exposing children to quality literature from an early age.

These books can help develop their language skills, expand their vocabulary, and enhance their imagination.

They also introduce children to different cultures, ideas, and perspectives, which can broaden their understanding of the world.

Moreover, reading can be a fun and engaging activity that promotes a love for learning.

By choosing the right books for early and eager readers, parents and educators can set children on a path to a lifetime of reading and discovery.

Some of the excellent books recommended in the aforementioned source include classic children's literature as well as contemporary titles that are sure to capture the hearts and minds of young readers.

So, whether you're looking for a bedtime story or a book to share with a group of children, be sure to check out the suggestions in Excellent Books for Early and Eager Readers.

This was technically a re-read for me. I first read it in elementary school.

Heads-up: I bought a copy recently and had no idea it was "updated". The updates felt odd and took away from the nostalgia. For example, "listening to his mp3 player" was one such update. It really changed the feel of the book. I would strongly advise trying to read the non-updated version if possible.

I do love the boggart. This book also has some sleeper themes that for the most part I appreciate. The characters aren't super-stereotypical, which is a nice change. And people come from different parts of the world, for no particular reason. I thought that was really cool. This book is not anything big or overly magical. It's quite a simple and amusing treat.

I must admit that for me it didn't quite live up to the hype I remembered as a kid. I remember loving it more than The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when I was younger. But my book club friends thoroughly enjoyed this book, which was new to them as adults, and they even sought out the sequels. It's interesting to see how different people have different perspectives on the same book.

I absolutely adored this book. The main reason for my love was the truly marvellous descriptions it contained.

From the captivating beauty of the dilapidated castle, which seemed to hold countless secrets within its crumbling walls, to the wild and rugged seashore with its crashing waves and salty breeze.

And then there was the Boggart. His emotions were描绘得如此细腻. When the master and his dog died, his heart-rending grief was written in such a beautiful way that it truly tugged on my heart strings.

I could feel his pain and sorrow as if it were my own. It was as if the author had the ability to bring the Boggart to life and make me care deeply about him.

The descriptions in this book were not just words on a page; they were a vivid and immersive experience that transported me into a world full of wonder and emotion.

I will always remember this book for its wonderful descriptions and the way it made me feel.

An invisible creature, as ancient as time itself, the Boggart wakes up one morning only to discover that the human it has been with for a century has passed away. Overwhelmed by grief, it slips into a sleep deeper than silence. However, it is brutally awakened by a pair of kids with harsh accents that seem to portend nothing but dissatisfaction.

Emily and Jessup are overjoyed when their father finds out that a long-lost relative of his has died, making him the heir to a Scottish castle. They are even more excited when the circumstances permit them to fly from their Canadian home and explore the old, yet magnificent building.

What unfolds next is an enchanting and magical tale. It demonstrates how diamonds can emerge from the clash of cultures, how the bond between siblings can overcome any obstacle, and that magic not only exists but can sometimes have the most charming sense of humor. A childhood favorite, The Boggart will always be one of my most cherished reading treasures!

This was fabulously written. Susan had me crying along with the boggart in the first chapter. It was a mere 13 pages, but the visuals she painted of the boggart's memories and emotions were so incredibly strong that my heart was touched immediately.

So why did I only give it 4 stars? Sadly, for something that some authors do not anticipate, what was commonplace in 1993 (or late 1980s since I know it took time to get this story published) is now so far out of date that the target age readers may have no idea what she is talking about. For example, Emily goes to a record store and the sales person finds her a tape. I received my first CD player in 1991, so this part really could have been avoided since CDs are still readily available. Jessup's part in dating the story line was unavoidable since his hobby is computers and at the time many still had monochromatic monitors and stored everything on either 5 1/4 or 3 1/2 inch discs.

Back to the good stuff. I love how the author introduced us to the Boggart and his style of old magic. [Note to Harry Potter fans: This boggart is not the kind that takes the shape of what you fear most in order to feed off your fear. This boggart is more like a combination of house elf (he stays with one family) and invisible Peeves (likes to play jokes to have fun not to hurt) and is really quite likable.] She also gave us a look at a being related to samhain (Halloween). Sadly, his good intentions land Emily and Jessup in hot water.

Part of the story takes place in a remote part of the Scottish Highlands. Castle Keep sits alone on an island in the middle of a loch. The residents must use a boat to get to the mainland for supplies. The boggart lives in the castle. Emily's family inherits the castle and when they go to investigate they meet the boggart, but do not really get to know him until they find out he has tagged along with them back to Canada. The majority of the story takes place in Toronto.

The boggart wakes and starts playing his jokes on the family. As Emily and Jessup learn about him, they really get to like him, but he is very out of place in the land filled with technology.

The part that disturbed me the most was that Emily's mother thought that her polite, well behaved teen daughter was harboring bitter thoughts about her parents and those thoughts were manifesting in acts of telekinesis, so she contacts a super creepy para-psychologist. This was horrible. To think that a mom would come to that conclusion without actually talking to her children first. This mom was weird. She yelled a lot, she didn't listen or try to understand, and she wasn't there. In fact, like many YA parents, these parents weren't really there for their children, but were focused on their jobs. Thankfully, this portion of the story was not very big. Dr. Stigmore reminded me a lot of the "child catcher" in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. *shudders*

Maggie, Emily & Jessup's mother, did soften at the end. She focused more on her children at that point rather than jumping to conclusions and she apologized for some of the nasty things she said about one of Jessup's friends as well.

To balance that are those that do believe what Emily and Jessup are saying. Those characters include Tommy (Emily fancies him), Willie, and Cai. The three are instrumental in educating Emily and Jessup on boggart history and behavior.

The story was very emotional and exciting from page one to the very end. I enjoyed every moment (even the creepy ones) so much so, I might search this book out to add it to my collection.

Happy reading!