I feel guilty because I read so many books recommended by my older kids, that I'm way behind on those recommended by my youngest. I'm ashamed to say how long ago this book was added to my "to be read stack," or how old the child was then. However, to be fair to myself, I do still often read books WITH our youngest, from time to time, and that very seldom happens with the older kids. Maybe on trips.So, I will say it was a favorite, for grade-school age, and that's why it was put into my "to be read stack. I find the plot predictable, but to those of the appropriate age group, it is gripping. Maybe it's a little older reading than the "Nate the Great" mysteries, maybe on par with "Encyclopedia Brown," but "Encyclopedia Brown" uses more obscure facts or science to solve his cases, which makes them feel like they're for an older crew. I'm not really sure "Encyclopedia Brown's" reading level is harder, though.It's the right time of year to read this - Halloween and ghosts.Favorite quote:"Sometimes it's best not to mix business and sugar." [in reference to jelly doughnuts.]I also liked that the main character apologized in the end. I'm not sure how often the main character apologizes in today's kid literature. Perhaps the bully might apologize and give the sense of vindication that the reader wants, but the protagonist seldom does, even if wrong. "I'm sorry, ... for making up my mind about you before I had all the facts. I was wrong about you. You were trying to do the right thing."Now if only we grownups can refrain from making up our minds about people before we have all the facts ... and may we have the grace to apologize when we do.