I remember reading this book when I was a boy and loved it so much I put it away for safe keeping. I read this book to my daughters when they were young and they loved it too. It has a wholesome atmosphere; like back in the late fifties and early sixties when families were respectable. The main character, Ted, never fights with his parents, he is happy on their new farm, and leads a wonderful and comfortable life in his parent's old farm house.

Mary Steele's (Wilson Gage)descriptions of nature are excellent as a foil to the excitement generated from the "ghost" in the old barn at night. Ted begins his vacation with big plans; his sister will be away and his best friend Steven will be over to help him explore the surrounding acreage. But Ted's plans are ruined when Steven gets the mumps, and his younger quirky twin cousins are sent to stay with Ted while their parents are off to Jamaica.

Ted doesn't much like Bobbin and Winkie, but his summer vacation--although it isn't what he expected--turns out to be the best he ever had. In the end he also learns that his weird cousins aren't so bad after all as they eventually become interesting companions during their summer adventure. ( )