The Dagger Of Fire — F.T. Barbini

Ten year old Norrie Nielson believes that life can't possibly be any worse. An orphan raised by his mad scientist granddad, he is mercilessly harassed by bullies and dumped by his friends. But Norrie's luck is about to take a turn for the unexpected, as he's enlisted by the ghostly crew of the Last Hope, a mythical ferry for lost souls. His task: to help the Captain's son, Chris, perform a rite of passage that will prove he is ready to take over the "family business." Can Norrie live up to the mission ... or will the mission outlive him?