Cooper, Susan.
THE BOGGART
New York : M.K. McElderry Books, 1993
IL 5-8, RL 6.7
ISBN 0689505760

Boggarts aren’t well known to we folks in No. America.  But British folks know boggarts as the ancient, household spirits in tales told long ago.  Boggarts made silly mischief for families back then, such as hiding things and making things move.  It was annoying, not serious mischief that boggarts made.  But a boggart on the lose today -- especially in a country that doesn’t believe in boggarts ­ is trouble!  

THE BOGGART is the story of a family that accidentally brings one to Canada.  This boggart has lived in an old, old castle for many years and has teased many years of families during that time.  That castle is now owned by a modern-day family from Canada.  To Scotland they go to visit their castle.  They love it but realize that they can't leave their jobs and schools and home in Canada to live in Scotland.  And so, the family decides to sell the castle but keep some of its furniture.  Little does the family know that a boggart has fallen asleep in the desk that Emily wants before the desk is locked up and shipped to her room in Canada.  

This boggart awakens to a new family in a new country. He’s on the loose in a world that he just doesn’t understand.   How fun it seems to the boggart to make a walk sign flash while the traffic light is green.  You can guess the disastrous consequences.   

Poor Boggart, he’s like Dorothy in Wizard of Oz.   All he wants is to go home -- to his old, old castle in Scotland.  Can our present-day technology help this lost, ancient spirit find his way home?  You’ll have to read THE BOGGART to find out.  (Mary Joan Kirkegard, 
Librarian/Media Specialist, Ringwood, NJ, Public Schools)