Today's post is a bit different because it's focused on an author and not just one book. Many times I'll get students looking for "spooky" books. I always turn them to Mary Downing Hahn. They never fail to please my younger students (5th/6th graders) who like something spooky. I like that they fit the bill, but they don't go so far that they really really scare the reader. They walk the line perfectly.
One of the best:
Wait Till Helen Comes
Twelve-year-old Molly and her ten-year-old brother, Michael, have never liked their seven-year-old stepsister, Heather. Ever since their parents got married, she's made Molly and Michael's life miserable. Now their parents have moved them all to the country to live in a house that used to be a church, with a cemetery in the backyard. If that's not bad enough, Heather starts talking to a ghost named Helen and warning Molly and Michael that Helen is coming for them. Molly feels certain Heather is in some kind of danger, but every time she tries to help, Heather twists things around to get her into trouble. It seems as if things can't get any worse.
But they do -- when Helen comes.
Oh my gosh, the memories this brings back! I love love love this author. Wait til Helen Comes was one of the first book talks I ever learned and one of my all time favorites to do!
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