← Books and plays

novel · Reading Worlds

The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories: read and explore

The stories delve into eerie encounters, often exploring themes of fear, the uncanny,…

About this reading

Author
Algernon Blackwood
Form
novel

Choose this reading by interest and comfort with the language. This catalog does not assign a school grade. Preview the text before reading with a child; classic works can contain unfamiliar language and historical attitudes.

Read The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories

Preview the language: Part 1

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 14471 *** THE EMPTY HOUSE AND OTHER GHOST STORIES BY ALGERNON BLACKWOOD AUTHOR OF "JOHN SILENCE" "THE LOST VALLEY" ETC. LONDON EVELEIGH NASH COMPANY LIMITED 1916 First Printed 1906 Uniform Edition 1915 Reprinted 1916 CONTENTS THE EMPTY HOUSE A HAUNTED ISLAND A CASE OF EAVESDROPPING KEEPING HIS PROMISE WITH INTENT TO STEAL THE WOOD OF THE DEAD SMITH: AN EPISODE IN A LODGING-HOUSE A SUSPICIOUS GIFT THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF A PRIVATE SECRETARY …

Choose a phrase from this opening. What does it suggest, and which words support your interpretation? Read on to test your first impression.

A reading activity for The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories

  1. Before opening the text, read the title and this catalog description: “The stories delve into eerie encounters, often exploring themes of fear, the uncanny,…” Write one question you hope the reading will answer.
  2. Read a short passage. Choose one sentence that helps you understand what is happening and explain which words support your interpretation.
  3. Choose one unfamiliar word. Guess its meaning from the surrounding words, then check a dictionary or discuss it with a reading partner.
  4. Return to your original question. Explain what the passage answered and what you still need to read to find out.

These are suggested discussion tasks, not a scored assessment or a claim that finishing the text establishes mastery.

Reading access and controls

Reading is free. The interactive reader needs JavaScript and a modern browser. Use ← → to read. Explain mode and other membership features can have separate limits; see current membership details.

Source edition: Project Gutenberg record for The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories. This link identifies the catalog source; it does not imply endorsement.

Use this activity with a learner

Educators and independent learners

Learning goal: Read The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories by Algernon Blackwood, then support an interpretation with words from the text.

Before you begin: Preview the language and historical context. Select a passage appropriate for your learners.

Check understanding: Ask for one observation, the evidence that supports it, and a question to investigate next.

Catalog inclusion does not assign a school grade. Preview historical language and themes before using a work with children.

Share The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories with your family or class. No account is needed to open the free resource.

Activity and guide by Lesson Worlds. About the platform.

Browse activity companions and lesson sequences
The Empty House and Other Ghost Stories — Read and Explore | Lesson Worlds