The Kitten Who Scared a Ghost

By Nova DuBois

With spring on its way, it must mean that it’s time for the fourth graders of Makawee Elementary to tackle their first real research project. Even though they know it’s coming, all the students dread the extra work - everyone, that is, except Ginni.

For most of the year, Ginni has been wondering if she will have the courage to complete her research project on Amelia Earhart, one of the first female pilots. Since her mom was a pilot and was killed flying an airplane, can she truly face delving into the world of female pilots?

And if that wasn’t enough to occupy her thoughts, the library has recently become haunted! Strange noises and howls are frequently heard, and no one can find the source of the wailing. But you know who is anxious to get up to the attic and do her own searching...why Neelia of course!

The strange happenings do not end there, however. Frankie finds footprints outside their picture window. Who has been spying on them? Is Stanley up to his old tricks?

Ginni can hardly keep up with the research project and two mysteries, when her day-to-day life comes abruptly to a halt.

Even with the help of Neelia, Mr. Whiskers, and Tyto, how will Ginni finish her project and solve the mysteries from a hospital bed?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nova DuBois
• Release date: Jan 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9781959096276

Nova DuBois

Nova DuBois has spent her life among children’s books and elementary-aged children. She began her love of children’s literature in her early teens when volunteering at her hometown’s library where she held Saturday morning storytelling hour and assisted in maintaining the children’s book area. This passion resulted in pre- and post-graduate degrees in library science. She enjoys bringing stories to life for children and watching their imaginations soar. She has her own special black cat who helps provide inspiration for the Vine Street Mysteries series. This is the first book of this series, and who knows where her black cat will lead her?

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Copyright © 2022 by Nova Dubois

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This is a work of fiction. Any characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Printed in the United States of America

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-959096-25-2

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-959096-26-9

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-959096-27-6

Library of Congress Control Number: 2022947167

4697 Main Street

Manchester Center, VT 05255

Canoe Tree Press is a division of DartFrog Books

vinestreetmysteries.com

To Terri - whose strength, perseverance,

and tenacity are role models for us all.

CHAPTER 1

Big Time in Fourth Grade

March is a very busy time for fourth grade students in Makawee Elementary School. Every spring, fourth graders are introduced to their first formal research project.

My name is Ginni, and I am in fourth grade. I live with my father—who is a dentist—and my first-grade brother, Frankie, in a small house that is within easy walking distance to school. Makawee is a town of about 15,000 people, and you can walk most anywhere.

It was the first Monday in March, and although all of us knew it was coming, I hoped that maybe the teachers forgot about Research Horror—as some of us call it. Not so. Right after the bell rang that morning, we all settled into our seats.

Ms. Zinger, our homeroom teacher, began, Boys and girls, today is a big day in the life of a student. Today, you are going to be introduced to your very first formal research assignment. I have two special guests who will be with me momentarily. Together, we will all go through the steps you’ll take to complete your research project, and we will also discuss the support we will provide you along your journey.

There were groans all around. Since third grade, we had heard upper classmates bemoan this dreaded research project. Kids told us about the hours and hours it took, looking up all the information and then having to take that data and put it all together in your own words.

No copying out of Wikipedia, or they’ll know, we’d been warned.

Right after the groans died down, we heard a knock on the door. Ms. Zinger opened it, and in walked our guests: Ms. Gynther, our school librarian, and Mrs. Curtz, the librarian for the public library.

Class, you all know these amazing ladies, Ms. Gynther and Mrs. Curtz, Ms. Zinger said. They are going to help you with your research. As older students may have told you, you will be researching a famous person. The research will not only be about the person, but we want to know about what the country was like where and when they lived. What was the weather like? What inventions were discovered at the time they lived? To find out information like that, Mrs. Curtz is here to show you how to do it.

Mrs. Curtz held up two big books. Since I sat close to the front of the room, I could read that one said Atlas and the other Almanac.

In these two books, Mrs. Curtz explained, and in other similar reference material, I will show you how to find the information that Ms. Zinger is requesting. Over the years, both Ms. Gynther and I have been adding many, many biographies to our library collections, so I’m sure we will be able to provide you with what you need.

She sounded so excited that it almost made me feel like the research project could be kinda fun.

Ms. Gynther stepped in, saying, And in addition to your book research, I get the fun part of helping you students in the computer lab doing online research. Believe it or not, there are more places to find information other than Wikipedia. I’ll show them to you.

Ms. Zinger finished the presentation and gave each of us a packet of information. Along with what she had mentioned before, there was a list of other questions like the birth and death dates (if the person had died), place where they were born, where they lived most of their lives, what they were famous for, etc.

When you have answered all the questions listed in your packet, she instructed, you will use the following pages to fill in the outline template I’ve given you that will help you categorize the information you’ve found. Then, you can start handwriting your report. After that, Ms. Gynther will take you back to the computer lab and help you print out a picture of your person. Additionally, if any student so wishes, Ms. Gynther is going to keep the lab open after school once we get started so you can type out your report if you choose.

How long does this stupid report have to be? Stanley blurted out. Stanley can best be described as our class bully. He calls kids names, picks on everyone, and outside of a few of his cronies, he doesn’t have many friends.

Excuse me? Do you want to raise your hand and re-ask that question, Stanley, with an apology? Ms. Zinger asked.

Stanley raised his hand. Ms. Zinger called on him, and he said, I’m sorry, Ms. Zinger. I got overwhelmed. Please tell us how long the report has to be.

We all snickered when Stanley said he got overwhelmed, but that drew a scowl from Ms. Zinger as well. The snickering soon stopped.

To answer your question, Stanley, and I’m sure most of you are also wondering, many students have turned in an excellent one-page report. Others have taken two pages to share all their information, Ms. Zinger explained. Depending upon the person you choose, you may have more or less information to share. What is most important is that the report is in your own words, you’ve found all the requested information, sentences are clearly written, and that it is interesting for the reader.

The first page of the packet is a list of noteworthy people to help you get started thinking about who you might want to research, she continued. By the end of the school day tomorrow, you will meet with me and tell me who you’ve chosen. That way, you have time to go home tonight and discuss with your family who you might want to research. I’ll make sure that no one picks the same famous person. First come, first served.