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THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE
The Stonebridge Ghost Tales (Book I)
In Book I of the The Stonebridge Ghost Tales, Christian Jones Arnook and his mother travel from Alaska to Indiana to meet a wealthy great-grandfather he never knew existed. A ten-year-old boy full of curiosity, Christian checks out the mansion and the surrounding grounds. Soon spooky events at every turn lead him to one conclusion: the estate is haunted and all strange activity seems to start at the old stone bridge.
THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE [©2014] Book I of the The Stonebridge Ghost Tales written by Roberta Hoffer and Illustrated by Madison Gaines | Juvenile Fantasy (Rated G for ages 8-12 and up) 62 pages / 17,000 words (Illustrated) | Available in ebook and print from the DFP Books label of Dragonfly Publishing
AWARDS
2017 Earthshine Book Awards Winner for Tween Supernatural
2014 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards 1st Winner for Best Chapter Book
2015 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards Silver Award Winner for Best Chapter Book Series for The Stonebridge Ghost Tales
SALES & FORMATS
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PAPERBACK [EAN 978-1-936381-76-0 | ISBN 1-936381-76-1] 6x9 library trim (62 pages illustrated) | Average Price: $8.99
HARDBACK [EAN 978-1-936381-75-3 | ISBN 1-936381-75-3] 6x9 library caseboound (62 pages illustrated) | Average Price: $16.99
EBOOK [EAN 978-1-936381-77-7 | ISBN 1-936381-77-X] Available in EPUB and Kindle (17,000 words illustrated) | Average Price: $3.99
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READ AN EXCERPT
CHAPTER 1:
THIS was my first ride in an airplane. And not just any plane, but a private jet.
How cool is that?
As I sat in the seat next to my mom, I thought about how we got there.
My name is Christian Jones Arnook. My middle name, Jones, was my mother's last name. My last name, Arnook, is unique, because my dad was part Inuit Indian. That's an Eskimo for those who don't know Alaskan culture. I was born in Alaska ten years ago and had been there all my life, until today.
Mom got a very important letter a couple months ago from a Mr. Jones, who lived in Indiana in the lower forty-eight states. She didn't tell me a lot about the letter. She just said she needed to check it out personally. We waited until school was out for early spring break. Then we packed our bags and headed south.
I wasn't really interested in going that far away to meet a stranger. I had spent one whole afternoon at the library reading up on Indiana. I had asked Mom why the man couldn't come here to meet us. She explained that Mr. Jones was too old to make the long flight. Instead, he had sent a private jet to bring us to him.
My mom's parents, my grandparents, had been lost in an arctic expedition when she was in high school. Since she had been born in Alaska, she decided to stay there and go to college. She was a teacher when she met my dad. Dad was part Eskimo, so that made me part Eskimo, too, which I considered pretty cool. Most people couldn't tell I was part Eskimo, because I had blonde hair and blue eyes like Mom.
The plane ride from Alaska to Indiana was a long one. Although I enjoyed looking out the cabin window at the m
ountains and cities as we crossed over them, after a while I got bored and started fidgeting with my seat belt.
"Christian, please sit still a little longer," Mom said. "And keep your seatbelt on. We will be landing in Indianapolis soon."
I obeyed Mom and kept my seatbelt snapped tight.
She had spent extra time worrying over me, since my father had disappeared in an avalanche when I was five. The last time I saw my dad he was dressed in his climbing gear, except that time he had on his fur parka. It had snowed for several days and we had to dig our way out of the house. He told me he had to climb to the top of Mount Baker to repair a satellite that had been damaged in the storm. I also remember the worried look on Mom's face, as she kissed him goodbye. No one believed I could remember those things, because I had been so little. But I did.
I was the only family Mom thought she had left. Then that letter had come.
It was all very official looking in the big envelope with ten stamps filling the corner. At the time I imagined it had come from a foreign country. I was a little disappointed when Mom said it was from Indiana. But since I had never been out of Alaska, even a trip to Indiana sounded like an adventure.
Mom said it was a letter from a Mr. Jones, who claimed to be her grandfather. It explained that he and his son had a falling out of some kind a long time ago. The son went off to live in Canada and later moved to Alaska. He found out that the son and his wife had been lost years ago in an expedition and then learned he had a granddaughter named Allison, my mom. He had kept up his search, hoping one day to find the only family he thought he had left, his granddaughter.
When he found Mom, that's when he learned about me.
His letter said: "I'm so excited to know I have found my granddaughter and now I learn I have a great-grandson."
Well, we'll see how great it is to meet a stranger who says he's my great-grandfather.
My great-grandfather must have been quite rich, because he insisted on sending his private jet to get us all the way to Indiana and then back to Alaska. Mom's father had never mentioned his family, so when she was growing up she didn't know any grandparents on that side. He definitely didn't mention that they were rich. My dad's parents, the Arnooks, lived so far north in Alaska that their house could be reached only by float plane. Mom and I didn't have a lot of extra money, so I never got to meet them. It would have been nice to have had someone else to call family.
Mom and I took care of each other, but I could see worry in her face anytime I came home late from school. In winter I used cross-country skis to get to school. Sometimes I took the long way home, even though I knew it would upset her.
I really loved weekends when I could hit the trails with my snowboard. It was pretty awesome to live with so much snow and a slope right out my back door. From what I had read, Indiana was mostly flat with a few hills in the southern part of the state. Maybe Mr. Jones lived on a farm with animals. There were supposed to be lots of farms in Indiana.
"Mom, did the letter say if your grandfather lives on a farm or in the city?" I asked.
"It only said that he lives about two hours south of Indianapolis," she replied. "He sent a picture. Would you like to see it?"
"Sure!"
"I didn't want to get you too excited before we took this trip," Mom said with a sigh. "I wasn't certain I really wanted to go. But I decided it wouldn't be fair to you if we didn't at least meet the man."
Mom pulled a photograph from the large envelope and handed it to me. It was a picture of a huge house built from what looked like big stones. The windows were tall and large, and the roof looked like it had ripples in it. I thought I could see a hill covered with tall trees in the back. A fancy car was parked on a curved driveway in front of the house. I looked closer and could tell the driveway was made of stones, too.
"Is this a mansion?" I asked excitedly. I had heard that people with a lot of money lived in houses called mansions.
Mom laughed. "I'm sure to us it would be a mansion. I guess we'll find out when we get there."
I was ready for the plane ride to end, so I could meet my great-grandfather and see the mansion...
[Copyright ©2023 Roberta Hoffer | No unauthorized reproduction or distribution]
READ REVIEWS
"THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE by Roberta Hoffer is the debut children's story by this published author of adult novels, and it is a grand debut indeed. Young Christian Jones Arnook and his mother, Allison, are the only two remaining members of their family, summoned via private jet from their Alaskan home to meet a mysterious Mr. Jones in Indiana. They are surprised to find that Mr. Jones is Allison's grandfather, and Christian's great-grandfather, a wealthy man whose very existence was unknown to them. They were further surprised to find that he lived in a grand mansion, with a house full of servants. But the biggest surprise of all was when they discovered the mansion was haunted (and guarded) by the ghost of a Union soldier who just happened to be Christian's great-great-great-grandfather. The wealthy Mr. Jeremiah Ebenezer Jones was soon to celebrate his 100th birthday, and had spared no expense in locating his only heirs: Allison and Christian. THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE is a story that will enthrall young readers, while treating them to a bit of historically accurate Civil War flavor. Although the story features a ghost, it is not at all scary. Indeed, the ghost is a noble and upstanding character who plays a pivotal role in the tale. The story is very well written, and has earned a coveted stamp of approval from Hoffer's eleven-year-old grandson. In many respects, the story is reminiscent of a classic fairy tale, with its young hero being treated to a flight in a private jet, discovering a wealthy unknown relative, inheriting a fortune, and getting to meet a real live ghost. What preteen wouldn't love to fantasize about such things? In truth, what adult wouldn't want to share the fantasy? THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE is a wonderful story all by itself. As the first episode of a series, it is delightful." ~ reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite [FIVE STARS]
"Ten year old Christian Jones Arnook lives in Alaska with his mother. When a letter arrives asking them to come to Indiana to meet his great-grandfather he can't help but be excited because up to this point he has never been out of Alaska. When he gets to his great grandfather's estate the first thing he thinks is that it is spooky, and after he starts to explore he quickly realizes that there is more going on than meets the eye. When he learns of a family secret that reaches back to the Civil War will he be frightened or will he embrace all that his great-grandfather is willing to share with him? One things for certain this trip will certainly change Christian's life forever! THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE by Roberta Hoffer is an easy to read chapter book that will certainly appeal to younger readers but I must say I was hooked as well. Ms. Hoffer's storytelling ability has a way of entwining you into the lives of her characters, providing plenty of background information about them as the story unfolds. She allowed me to understand Christian and his mother's losses without bogging down the story, instead it was in a get to know you style that allowed added depth to the characters! I really enjoyed the family feel of this story, and the easy relationship that Christian has with his mother. Of course young readers are going to want excitement and the author provides plenty! From the gargoyles standing at the entrance to the estate, to the mysterious soldier that only Christian saw in the photo, the author builds up enough suspense to grab the imagination as to what might be going on. I loved the splash of historical detail the author included in the story. A good read that is filled with adventure,mystery, a paranormal element that is a bit spooky without being overly so, and a wholesome family feel that really allowed me to connect with the characters. If you have a reluctant reader in your family this book just might be the spark to ignite them to read! I can't wait to read the next book in the series!" ~ reviewed by Brenda Casto for WV Stitcher [FIVE STARS]
"THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE is an excellent book for preteen ages boys or girls. It focuses on a preteen boy that lives in Alaska with his mother and grandfather and encounters a ghost. I would recommend this book for grade school children. It is extremely well written. I liked it as an adult!!!" ~ reviewed by Amy Reynolds [FIVE STARS]
"THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE by Roberta Hoffer is about ten-year old Christian Jones Arnook. Shortly after his mother receives a letter from someone who claims to be her long-lost grandfather, Christian finds himself leaving Alaska for the very first time on a private jet headed for Indiana. Arriving at the airport, he and his mother are ushered into a limousine, and they start to wonder just how rich is this relative? Who was this mysterious man and what did he want from Christian and his mother? When they finally arrived at the grandfather's home, it was not a house. It was an estate, complete with gargoyles and a butler! The grandfather was very kind and welcoming and had even built a ski run for Christian! But, there was something out of place about the house. The book was the perfect length. In the beginning of the book, the author built up a lot of suspense and intrigue so I didn't want to stop reading! The author gave the reader detailed images without being too wordy or boring. This book falls into the category of fantasy but, with the important exception of the part about the ghost, it was very believable and I could really relate to the main character. The ghost element wasn't very creepy, but I liked it. I would recommend THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE by Roberta Hoffer to people who like suspense and intrigue. I look forward to reading the next book in the series." ~ reviewed by Marten Weldon (age 9) for Reader Views [FIVE STARS]
"THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE, a chapter book for children, was fascinating. Young Christian's view on life is a simple one of a child's, so the story flowed well. I could feel his fascination and intrigue as a child would experience it. When his curiosity peaked, so did mine. Watching him take in the experience of meeting his wealthy great-grandfather and the paranormal things going on around him was great. Everything was explained at a level that any young reader would understand and not get lost in the story. I too wanted to find out the mystery of the stone bridge. The book was the perfect length to get the story out and a good introduction to The Stonebridge Ghost Tales series." ~ reviewed by Sara Marion [FIVE STARS]
"THE GHOST OF STONEBRIDGE LANE is well written and very interesting all the way through. It is about a young boy and his mother who live in Alaska. They receive a letter of invitation from an unknown family member to come to visit. The visit turns out to be an unexpected adventure for the boy who encounters a ghost." ~ reviewed by Grandma's Reading Corner [FIVE STARS]
SERIES
The Ghost of Stonebridge Lane (I) • The Ghost of the Frozen North (II) • The Ghosts of Stony Manor (III)