Why did I read this book? It most certainly was not because of the cover. In fact, the cover is actually quite creepy! But that said, this book is very good. I’ll admit, I didn’t want to read this book, but since My Friend Walter was written by Micheal Morpurgo, I said that I would give it a shot. And am I glad I did. It was wonderful! I don’t like ghost stories, so when the description said that the main character visits the “Bloody Tower of London” and meets Sir Walter Raliegh’s ghost. And that Sir Walter Raliegh is a relative to the main character, I was not a fan, and didn’t want to read this book. But after finishing it, I loved it! I thought the story (even if it was about a ghost) was sweet and lovely. It even gave me an interest in Sir Walter Raliegh (whom I had no interest in before). So you can probably gather that this story is about the ghost of Sir Walter Raliegh. But the story really revolves around a young modern-day girl whose family are farmers. One day during the hubbub of breakfast time the family receives a letter inviting them all, including Granny, to a massive family reunion. But everybody in the family had something going on the day of the family reunion, except Bess (the main character) who is the only one able to go. But there's no one to take her. In the end Bess goes with one of her aunts. While at the reunion Bess is bored and clings to her aunt's side. But at last she gets some food and sits on the end of an unoccupied sofa. But is it unoccupied? While Bess is eating, a man starts talking to her. She hadn’t seen him there when she had sat down. Where did he come from? The old man is dressed in a black cape and holds a silver cane. He is sitting at the other end of the sofa. He tells Bess that she should go to the Tower of London and learn about Walter Raliegh, her long lost relative. After that strange meeting with the man, Bess and her aunt go to the Tower of London, where Bess meets Sir Walter Raliegh’s ghost. Bess becomes friends with Walter Raliegh’s ghost. He goes home with Bess to her family’s farm, and stays there with her for a while. But Bess is the only one who can see him, except the dog. As I said the story is very sweet, and not a creepy ghost story like I thought it was going to be. I would recommend this book to Eight to twelve-year-olds who are curious about Sir Walter Raliegh, or English history. This book is small and digestible, with easy language, and a fun lovely plot. This book teaches a lot about history, and shows you modern day England through the eyes of a young girl. And to conclude, I firmly stand on the side of the line that says that Sir Walter Raliegh didn’t betray his country, but that his country betrayed him. But as an American, I probably don't get a vote.