BOOK: HORROR (ages 10-14)
Brief Description: 12-year-old Diana narrates this story of she and her brother as they watch the new caretakers of the Old Willis Place move in. Something is not right with these two imps, and Hahn slowly reveals more and more information until the reader comprehends the nature of these characters who have many secrets. Lissa is the new caretaker's daughter who seeks friendship and finds it in Diana. When Lissa decides to explore the Old Willis Place with Diana, she unwittingly unleashes the fierce and frightening ghost of Miss Lilian. A surprise ending will satisfy even the most nervous readers.
Awards: Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2006; Heartland Award for Excellence, 2007; Iowa Children's Choice Award, 2008; Mark Twain Award, 2007; South Carolina Children's Book Award, 2008
Personal Opinion: I enjoyed this book very much! Hahn carefully crafts a tone of building tension with the slow revelation of Georgie and his sister Diana's true nature. Kids will notice that they are rather mischievous and not too remorseful about their actions. Other clues will lead them to understand that George and Diana are ghosts themselves, although they, too, are afraid of ghost Miss Lilian. I found the ending very surprising and didn't see it coming at all; I wondered how Hahn would end this creepy tale, but she did a wonderful job. Finally, Hahn succeeds in her scaring of kids when Lissa remarks that her idea of ghosts had changed forever - she now realized that a ghost can be flesh and blood, and may be sitting next to you on the bus. Nice.
Curriculum/Programming: This would make a great read aloud for Halloween. Also, kids could design a spooky game board incorporating the ghosts, the Old Willis Place, the shed, and other areas on the farm etc. and create a game like Chutes and Ladders - would they include cards? How about screaming, running, etc. for various points?
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