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Penelope Lively
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The Ghost of Thomas Kempe (Heritage Editions) Hardcover – 26 Sept. 2013

by Penelope Lively (Author)

I have come backe to this towne.
Thos. Kempe

Bottles have been smashed, doors slammed and strange messages scrawled everywhere. And James is being blamed.

It s not fair. Why won t his parents believe in ghosts? Because the ghost of Thomas Kempe is very real. And he s got it in for James ...

A great year-round read
The Independent

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  1. Reading age
    10 - 13 years
  2. Print length
    208 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Dimensions
    15.11 x 1.75 x 17.42 cm
  5. Publisher
    Egmont
  6. Publication date
    26 Sept. 2013
  7. ISBN-10
    1405267364
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1405267366
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Product description

About the Author

Penelope Lively is a novelist, short story writer and author of children's books. Her novels have won several literary awards including the Booker Prize for Moon Tiger in 1987, the Carnegie Medal for The Ghost of Thomas Kempe in 1973, and the Whitbread Award for A Stitch in Time in 1976. 

Penelope Lively is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Literature, the former Chairman of the Society of Authors, and has been a member of the Boards of the British Library and the British Council. She was awarded the OBE in 1989, the CBE in 2001 and the DBE in 2012 for services to literature.

She lives in London.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Egmont
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 26 Sept. 2013
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Hardback , Heritage
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1405267364
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1405267366
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 345 g
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 13 years
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 15.11 x 1.75 x 17.42 cm
  • Best Sellers Rank: 451 in Classics for Children
  • Customer reviews:

About the author

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Penelope Lively

Penelope Lively

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Dame Penelope Margaret Lively DBE FRSL (born 17 March 1933) is a British writer of fiction for both children and adults. She has won both the Booker Prize (Moon Tiger, 1987) and the Carnegie Medal for British children's books (The Ghost of Thomas Kempe, 1973).

Bio from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Photo by Miyagawa (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
190 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy this mystery ghost tale, with one noting its clever plot. Moreover, the book is suitable for children, with one customer mentioning it's appropriate for ages eleven and up. Additionally, customers appreciate the storytelling, with one describing it as wonderfully enjoyable to read as an adult.

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Story qualityAge rangeStorytelling
9 customers mention ‘Story quality’9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a good mystery ghost tale, with one customer noting its clever plot.

"...It is totally non-violent but very intriguing. I cannot recommend this too highly." Read more

"Really good mystery ghost tale. My daughter and I enjoyed this one together...." Read more

"...Totally wasted on me.... 20 years later... Absolutely brilliant!! A clever plot , funny and interesting characters and a beautiful theme of..." Read more

"Good story that will keep the kids riveted" Read more

8 customers mention ‘Age range’8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book suitable for children, with one customer noting it's appropriate for ages eleven and up, while another mentions it will keep kids riveted.

"This book is suitable for ages of about eleven years and upwards. It is written in such a way that anyone, child or adult, can enjoy...." Read more

"My favourite children's book, I bought this one as a gift for a new friend. Everyone should ready it. Its absolutely brilliant." Read more

"...This book encouraged me to read more as a child and, more importantly, write. I can see now how it was such a literary influence on me...." Read more

"Good story that will keep the kids riveted" Read more

3 customers mention ‘Storytelling’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storytelling of the book, with one noting it is written in a way that is accessible to all readers, and another mentioning it is wonderfully enjoyable for adult readers.

"...It is written in such a way that anyone, child or adult, can enjoy. This book has earned Penelope Lively prizes...." Read more

"...and a beautiful theme of childhood naïvety which is wonderfully enjoyable to read as an adult." Read more

"A fascinating ghost story, very well told, and ideal for a teenager, without being too frightening, but with a wonderful atmosphere." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Jillian harrison
    5.0 out of 5 stars The ghost of Thomas kemp book.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 February 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I knew what this book was when I ordered it. It came on time and was exactly what I wanted and was well packaged and arrived on time.
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  • Margaret Bailey
    5.0 out of 5 stars Try this !
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 February 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This book is suitable for ages of about eleven years and upwards. It is written in such a way that anyone, child or adult, can enjoy. This book has earned Penelope Lively prizes. It is sensitive and thought provoking and introduces the idea of cycles of life. It is totally non-violent but very intriguing. I cannot recommend this too highly.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Julia Wilson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 March 2025
    The Ghost Of Thomas Kempe by Penelope Lively is a children’s adventure for ages ten years and over. Though written in 1973, it still entertains audiences today.
    Penelope Lively has a young boy, James, as the central character. Having moved into a new house, things go bump in the day and night – and James gets the blame. It is only James who recognizes this for what it is, and sets about trying to help a spirit lay to rest. Few people believe James, except a carpenter.
    James is a very likable lead character. He is very plucky and able to save the day on more than one occasion.
    A stray dog also perceives what is going on.
    Foraging in the attic room, James finds an old diary from the mid nineteenth century and finds that he is not alone in his perceptions.
    The Ghost Of Thomas Kempe was an entertaining read.
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  • Sisi
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 January 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Really good mystery ghost tale. My daughter and I enjoyed this one together. She asked if we could get it for her friend's birthday as she thought he'd love it too. The main character is well described and you feel very sympathetic for his plight - the ghost is a real nuisance but he can't exactly tell everyone, they'd think he was cracked!
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  • nicki d.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Bought as a gift
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 June 2023
    Verified Purchase
    My favourite children's book, I bought this one as a gift for a new friend. Everyone should ready it. Its absolutely brilliant.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Bre
    5.0 out of 5 stars An enchanting read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 July 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I read this book as a child and decided to find it again after all these years.
    I wasn't disappointed. It's a really great book and Penelope Livley's portrayal of the young boy and the ghost of the sorcerer is as enchanting as I remembered it.
    This book encouraged me to read more as a child and, more importantly, write. I can see now how it was such a literary influence on me.
    If you like a bit of childish ghostly escapism, then read this Carnegie Medal winning book. You won't be disappointed!
    9 people found this helpful
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  • The Pharmer
    5.0 out of 5 stars The first novel I ever read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 March 2014
    Verified Purchase
    And still my favourite, 35 years after I first saw it on Jackanory and got my mum to do a special order in WHSmith's to obtain my own copy. Right then my love of books and reading was born and still thrives today for me. Thank you, Penelope Lively. I wanted to be James (and still do). I still re read it every couple of years-most recently in one sitting on a Saturday afternoon. My copy is falling to bits-but it's the one material possession I would save from a burning house.
    34 people found this helpful
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  • zoe porter
    3.0 out of 5 stars A bit dated
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely loved this book when I was a kid - but reading it to my 8 year old daughter - I realised that it was pretty dated now. Dad smokes a pipe. The protagonist who is about 10 can stroll around his small town on his own. It opened up some conversations... which was a good thing. But actually my daughter got bored and begged I stop reading it. I was disappointed and so was she. 3 stars for nostalgia.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Janet Hicken
    5.0 out of 5 stars Just as advertised. Efficient and prompt delivery.
    Reviewed in Canada on 14 December 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Bought as a gift, lived up to expectations.
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  • Matty
    5.0 out of 5 stars For teen and adults alike.
    Reviewed in the United States on 18 June 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A well-constructed and entertaining story. The protagonist models resourcefulness and grit in striving to rid himself an an irksome ghost/poltergeist.
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  • Gassia Gabonian
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on 20 August 2017
    Verified Purchase
    My daughter loved this book and read it in 3 days.
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