Spooky ¦ Ghost after Ghost

The seven stories in Spooky have 'grown' from a Thames Television series, which I didn't see. I hope it lived up to its name better than the book. I quite enjoyed The Rivals by Vivien Alcock, about a boy who is far too sensible and unimaginative to believe in ghosts. The rest are readable but, for me, not very effective. They don't really intrigue or touch a nerve and the mental health warning on the cover seems unnecessary. Other authors are Jennie Howarth, Jane Hollowood, R. Chetwynd-Hayes, Maggie Wadey, Leon Garfield and David Hopkins. Still, another volume for the school library, if you like.

Aidan Chambers' anthology is much more compelling. In the longest story, Westall brings back Chas McGill, whose help to a First World War ghost moves us and alters one small strand of history. The other eight are diverse - often strong on the macabre, with suspense, twists and some chilling open endings. Most pass one of my main criteria - of reading aloud well. Storr, Mackay-Brown, Chetwynd-Hayes, Aiken and Mark contribute good stories but I especially like John Gordon's tale of children in danger from more than ice on the fens and Lance Salway's sweet little girl with her gruesome accomplice whom no-one believes in. Bert Kitchen's fine drawings most effectively add to this splendid collection.