Children's Books· United Kingdom
The Ghost of Thomas Kempe
by Penelope LivelyAggregate Editorial Score61/100
★Carnegie Medal
Published 1973159 pagesEnglish
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Penelope Lively's The Ghost of Thomas Kempe (1973) stands as one of the most significant works of children's books of its era. When James Harrison moves to an old cottage, he is haunted by the ghost of a seventeenth-century sorcerer. Penelope Lively's Carnegie Medal winner is a charming and witty ghost story about the relationship between past and present. Themes of ghosts, history, childhood run through the work. The book has received recognition from Carnegie Medal 1973.
Book Details
About the Category
🧸 Children's Books
Picture books, middle-grade fiction, and early readers.
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🇬🇧 United Kingdom
This book is part of United Kingdom's rich literary tradition.
Explore books from United Kingdom →Editorial Assessment
Penelope Lively published The Ghost of Thomas Kempe in 1973, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of children's books from United Kingdom. The book's treatment of ghosts, history, childhood, time accounts for much of its enduring reputation.
Among its recognitions: Carnegie Medal 1973. With an editorial score of 61/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys.
The appeal of The Ghost of Thomas Kempe lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of ghosts, history, childhood, time is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page.
Within United Kingdom's literary landscape, Penelope Lively occupies a significant position. The Ghost of Thomas Kempe is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.
Awards & Recognition
Carnegie Medal
winner · national
197348
Penelope Lively is a celebrated author from United Kingdom known for influential works of childrens.
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