DON'T GIVE UP THE GHOST

Lying amid the semiprecious stones of this collection are three genuine gems: Walter Dean Myers's hilarious story about a spectral visitor from the far future who steps out of a closet to ask about the poorly understood religion known as ``Hoops''; a satisfying tale from Barbara Ann Porte about a ghost who protects her family from a trio of menacing party crashers; and Janet Taylor Lisle's nape-prickler, ``Face in the Rafters,'' in which a young married couple is gleefully told the hour of their deaths. As he did in Funny You Should Ask (1992), Gale offers only new stories from award-winning children's authors; this is an all-star lineup, and the 12 selections are polished, uncontrived, and very readable. Each is followed by a list of awards; several authors also comment on their stories, or about ghosts in general. A winning formula—in a gathering of tales that will leave readers more amused than frightened, and hoping for more. (Short Stories. 9-12)