Wait Till Helen Comes

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Continuing the trip down my reading memory lane with this ghost story. I remember finding this title in my elementary school library and the cover grabbing my attention. This has some DARK themes for a young reader, but of course, I loved it. 😂 #scarathlondailyprompts #ghost #teamslaughter

Clwojick

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Andrea313

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

These two books were the ultimate #ghost stories of my youth. For my best friend and I, The Ghost Next Door launched a mania for scary stories of all kinds, and Wait Till Helen Comes was the most seriously terrifying of them all. This article sums it up so well:
https://jezebel.com/wait-till-helen-comes-can-we-get-some-parental-supervi-16512...
#ConflictedWorlds @Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs I chose this one too 👻 3y

Andrea313 @Eggs It's too good not to share! Mary Downing Hahn really went wild with that one, didn't she? 😂 3y

Eggs Yes!!! @Andrea313 3y

22 likes3 comments

Eggs

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Tweens Molly and Michael learn that they‘ll be moving to a refurbished old church in rural Maryland with their mother‘s new husband, Dave, and their younger stepsister, Heather. But they don‘t know yet about a little girl who died in a fire there 100 years ago...
#ghost #conflictedworlds @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 😱😱 3y

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ambam1987

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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this book freaked me out in middle school! Just discovered it‘s a movie 🍿

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Krisjericho

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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3.5 stars. Even the cover of this one scared me as a kid, but a children's literature class afforded me an opportunity to revisit it. This is surprisingly creepy for a children's book, and I related to Molly and her frustrations and feelings of not being heard. Heather is pretty messed-up, but she's a kid. Continued in comments.

Krisjericho What I can't forgive is the parents. Seriously. Get it together, supposed adults. Stop pawning your kids off on your other kids and then being upset when a 12-year old doesn't raise your child as well as you would like. Stop not standing up for your kids when your new husband is a jerk to them. Don't remarry if you can't be a decent human to your new stepkids, Heather's dad. 5y

Krisjericho MAYBE LISTEN WHEN SOMEONE TRIES TO TELL YOU YOUR KID IS TALKING TO A GHOST.

Scary, with enough realistic touches to make it even scarier. 5y

xicanti Is this the one where the ghost rips up all the kids‘ possessions? I loved that book when I was little but I‘ve never been able to remember the name. 5y

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Krisjericho @xicanti Yes! 5y

gossamerchild This one was one of my favorites as a kid. Totally spooky! 5y

xicanti Score! 5y

sprainedbrain This book scared the heck out of little me! 5y

ravenlee I hated the parents in this one! My book club had a long discussion about the parents (I missed this meeting though). I feel like the parents and their neglect of the kids is what really dates this story, and I wonder if kids reading it now get hung up on the impossibility of having a summer completely void of adult supervision. 5y

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Llanphear

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Been busy this past couple of weeks but we Finished Reading this at book club yesterday! The kids loved it. Mary Downing Hahn is always a good choice!

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Llanphear

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Congrats @TheReadingMermaid on your 150k litfluence!
My favorite genre are historical fiction & teen fantasy! ❤️
#repost
#150kgiveaway

BeansPage Awesome sweetie. Thank you for entering and good luck! 5y

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Peddler410

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

My cover of the book for #mgbuddyread
Has anyone seen the movie?

Lmstraubie

Lmstraubie Soooo creepy!!! I just saw there was a movie. I haven't seen it though. Don't know if I could 😖 5y

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IndoorDame

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

This is the Kindle cover. I think this is the type of book I would have enjoyed a lot more an actual bound reading experience, but I decided at the last minute that I wanted to participate in this month‘s #mgbuddyread so I had no time to grab a copy from the library.

Lmstraubie That matches the corniness of my dated cover! 5y

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Chelsibno

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

#mgbuddyread @Lmstraubie I‘m reposting a picture I‘d taken of the edition I had read. I had returned it to my school library by the time of the buddy read discussion.

sprainedbrain Omg I read that book when I was in elementary school! It scared the bejeezus out of me. 😂 5y

Lmstraubie This was the cover I had too. 5y

Lmstraubie @sprainedbrain This was just our #mgbuddyread for October. A little corny and creepy when read as a grown-up 😉 5y

29 likes3 comments

Amie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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#mgbuddyread @Lmstraubie This is the cover of the Kindle edition that I checked out from Overdrive.

Lmstraubie A little better than mine, but the newest cover is the creepiest. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 10 #mgbuddyread

merelybookish I posted a pic yesterday! 5y

Peddler410 I‘ll need to do this later...my copy went back to school, not sure if it‘s available 😬 5y

Daisey My cover matches the one @merelybookish posted but with blacked out former library stickers covering part of the title which is why I didn‘t post. This copy was retired to my class library when the school library got an updated cover copy. 5y

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JaclynW Will do. But speaking of covers....has anyone seen the most recent updated one? Had I gotten that cover instead....I think I would have been more terrified!! The book I got from the library had a cheesy 80's cover which made me laugh more than be terrified. Interesting how a cover can set the tone even before you read the first page. @Daisey @merelybookish @Peddler410 5y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW Yes!!! @Mdargusch seemed to have the updated cover. Sooooo much more creepy than the 80's one. 5y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie Definitely more creepy! 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 9 #mgbuddyread
There is one more question after this.

JaclynW What was the actual reason this book was on the banned book list? I'm assuming it was for the reasons we discussed earlier, but I'm curious as to the actual wording. 5y

JaclynW Also, has anyone else read other books by this author? What would you recommend? 5y

merelybookish @JaclynW I think @Chelsibno mentioned that she's a fan of this writer. Maybe she can recommend some other titles. 🙂 5y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW I posted a link that tells why all the books from Ban This Book we're banned. 5y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie Awesome! I will go check it out. Thanks! 5y

4 likes5 comments

Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 8 #mgbuddyread

merelybookish I liked the writing! I thought it was tight and descriptive! 5y

Peddler410 I liked the creepy feeling I got while reading. 5y

Daisey Overall I enjoyed the book more than I expected. It was a creepy ghost story, but it was also resolved positively in the end. I can see why it remains a popular book among my students. 5y

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Chelsibno I love Mary Downing Hahn‘s writing. It‘s a beautifully slow burn as you get deeper and deeper into the story. I still remember the chills I got the first time I read it. That‘s why she‘s one of my favorite authors! 5y

Amie I enjoyed the story, but in addition to that, the book have me a nostalgic feeling. I didn't read it as a kid in the 80s, but there were characteristics that reminded me of books I read back then. 5y

IndoorDame I actually didn‘t expect to get into this since I hadn‘t read it as a kid, but the writing was good enough and the plot fast enough paced that I found myself enjoying it. 5y

JaclynW My thoughts were similar to @IndoorDame , I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I'm certain my younger self would have loved this book. And I would have been properly scared by it too! 👻👻👻 5y

Mdargusch I agree that the writing was good and it was a well developed plot 5y

Lmstraubie @Mdargusch @IndoorDame @Peddler410 @JaclynW @Daisey @merelybookish @Chelsibno @amie I ended up liking it more than I thought I would. I gave it a "So-so" but it was really between a "Pick" and a "So-so" for me. I don't remember this or the author from when I was growing up. As much as I don't prefer scary stories now I did live them as a teen. 5y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie Did you ever read Christopher Pike? 5y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW He doesn't sound familiar. I have to take a peak in my attic at some if the books I used to read. It's been a long time...😉 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 7 #mgbuddyread

Daisey Just the parents! 5y

Peddler410 I agree with @Daisey The parents drove me nuts. (edited) 5y

Chelsibno I agree with @Daisey and @Peddler410 . I got so frustrated with the parents! 5y

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Amie I agree, the parents were annoying! @Chelsibno @Daisey @Peddler410 5y

JaclynW Heather! I didn't like her. The end changed my view however. And as a everyone stated above, THE PARENTS!! They were M.I.A. most of the time and when the came into the picture they weren't impressive. 5y

Mdargusch The parents!!! 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 6 #mgbuddyread

IndoorDame Yes. I enjoyed the character development in the first few pages a lot. Mary Downing Hahn did a really good job of introducing you to her characters in a way that showed each of their personalities and what was important to them without being boring or pedantic, and without breaking from the action of the story. 5y

JaclynW Mostly, yes. Molly especially so. The parents were lacking the most and pretty basic. We knew what we needed to know for this story. 5y

4 likes2 comments

Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 5 #mgbuddyread

merelybookish Because it would stop the plot. 😜 Or maybe because she didn't think they would help. Still if your sister climbs out the window in the middle of the night, seems like a good time to grab a parent! Maybe she was under Helen's sway more than she realized. 5y

Chelsibno Omg! I remember reading this book as a 10-year-old & saying out loud “go get mom” to Molly, every time something like that would happen. At one point, I theorized that maybe she was afraid that if she took someone with her, they‘d discover nothing wrong, & she‘d look even more crazy. But, I think that the more sensible reason she never takes someone with her is because it would totally ruin the plot, a la @merelybookish ‘s response. 5y

Daisey I agree with @merelybookish and also because when she did first bring it up, the parents refused to give her any positive response so she would not expect it to change. 5y

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Peddler410 I agree with @merelybookish and @Chelsibno 5y

JaclynW @Daisey She did try to bring Michael a few times and she didn't get a positive response from the adults when she tried to tell the real story. No one believed her. And yes, it would have stopped the plot like @merelybookish and @chelsibno noted. Horror stories are often like this though, right? No one ever gets help when they should and they always make terrible choices.... @Peddler410 5y

IndoorDame Totally agree with @merelybookish & @Chelsibno. it‘s definitely a convention of the horror genre that a character never makes the common sense decision you‘re rooting for which would obviously save them but derail the plot. On the other hand, Molly does get shut down repeatedly when she tries to stand up for herself, or talk about anything the rest of the family doesn‘t agree with, so I guess at some point it makes sense to give up and go it alone 5y

Mdargusch I agree @Chelsibno and @Daisey - no one ever supported Molly so I‘m sure she figured there was no reason to call them. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 4 #mgbuddyread

merelybookish Thr blended family stuff is what dated the book for me. It seems an 80s theme to tackle. The parents seemed kind of self-absorbed. Maybe moving to the country just after getting remarried wasn't the best decision for the kids. 🤷 5y

Chelsibno I liked how one of the issues in the book is the struggle of a blended family having to learn how to live together. That said, I hated how the dad always took Heather‘s side and treated his stepchildren really badly at times. Likewise, I hated how the mom was constantly taking his side. It felt like she was putting her new marriage above the welfare of her own children at times. The parents were definitely the most frustrating part to read. 5y

Peddler410 Not a fan of the parents. I agree with what the others have said. 5y

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JaclynW I wasn't fond of the parents either, especially Dave. He was always taking Heather's side and wasn't acting like an adult at all. @Peddler410 The blended family stuff was a big issue in the 80's. @merelybookish The blended family was portrayed in a pretty negative light in this book and the decisions the adults were making were just making matters worse. @Chelsibno I did like how it ended happily. It would have put my young soul at ease. 5y

Amie I didn't like how the dad didn't believe in counseling for Heather (although if she had gotten it, we wouldn't have a story) and how much Molly was responsible for Heather. I think she was old enough to watch her, but it kind of seemed like the parents expected too much of her. @Chelsibno @merelybookish @Peddler410 @JaclynW 5y

IndoorDame I think the portrayal of the parents really dated the book. Parenting styles and attitudes about blended families have changed so much since the 80s that I found myself struggling to see the parents and appreciate their personalities without judging them. 5y

JaclynW @IndoorDame Exactly. 5y

JaclynW @amie The parents seemed more concerned about their own interests I thought. The kids seemed to get in their way. 5y

Mdargusch I thought the parents were horrible and hard to believe. To have Molly watching Heather all day everyday was way too much responsibility. 5y

TheBookHippie I'm late I was sick!!! The parents I still see portrayals of this daily listening to my little readers. It was more Prominent in the 80s but still goes on. I actually am going to use this for discussion with some kiddos as a book club book. I'll let ya know what they say! 5y

Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie I'd be curious to hear their thoughts. 5y

TheBookHippie @Lmstraubie I'm excited for it!!! 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 3 #mgbuddyread

merelybookish Concerns? Not really. This is a book that would depend a lot on the kid. It could be upsetting! Idon't think I would have liked it as a kid but I really enjoyed reading it now. I liked that the author didn't back away from writing a real ghost story, one that frightened and wasn't explained away in the end a la Scooby Do mysteries. 5y

Chelsibno I don‘t really have any concerns about it. Like @merelybookish said, I think it greatly depends on the child. A child who is sensitive about certain topics or imagery could become upset by the story. I liked it when I was a kid & didn‘t suffer any ill effects of reading it. However, I‘d have to consider my own children‘s ages, mindsets, personalities, etc. before I would think of encouraging them to read it. 5y

Peddler410 I agree with @merelybookish and @Chelsibno ..... it all depends on the kid. I have no concerns about this book being in any library but if I have the luxury of knowing the students I might help guide the more sensitive — like my own daughter —reader. 5y

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JaclynW @merelybookish @Chelsibno @Peddler410 I'm in agreement with all of you. Depends on the reader. I may have been too nervous to read this as a young kid. My 3 children would probably enjoy this story - although they may say it isn't scary enough! @merelybookish I too enjoyed that the author fully embraced the ghost. It made for a better story. 5y

IndoorDame No! I actually thought this was a great balance between something that actually managed to be creepy at certain moments, and something that remained age appropriate for middle grade readers thematically and content-wise. (Obviously no book will ever work for EVERY kid, but that‘s why you preview things before you hand them over to your own children or students). 5y

Mdargusch I had so many concerns with the parents! @merelybookish @Chelsibno @Peddler410 @JaclynW that stepfather was the worst! The family dynamics were tragic! 5y

JaclynW @Mdargusch I know! I may have run away with Helen if I had to continue to live with Dave and Jean. 5y

Lmstraubie @Mdargusch @IndoorDame @Peddler410 @JaclynW @Daisey @merelybookish @Chelsibno I had the same reaction as @Mdargusch The way the parents were written drove me crazy. The stepfather was horrible! 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 2 #mgbuddyread

Chelsibno I don‘t think these concerns would be as acute if the novel were published today. This is mainly due to changing sensibilities. The story is rather tame compared to other middle grade ghost stories written today. Heck, I‘d say it‘s rather tame compared to Mary Downing Hahn‘s more recent ghost stories, like Took. That said, I‘m sure there would still be some parents that would oppose the book, but I think the number would be a lot fewer. (edited) 5y

Daisey @Chelsibno Agreed! 5y

JaclynW @Chelsibno I agree. The scary/gory scenes are a bit more common place now. Whether in video games, TV shows, movies, music, books etc. it is there today. Halloween has become such a money maker where I live. Everyone seems to like it. Some parents do still shield their kids but I think it is less common. 5y

Peddler410 I‘m not sure....my daughter is very anti this book right now but will watch The Walking Dead. While it is tame compared to other ghost stories, it‘s still spooky regardless of time. 5y

Mdargusch @Chelsibno I agree with your assessment that some parents would still find this book objectionable and try to ban it. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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Question 1 #mgbuddyread

Chelsibno I think it mainly has to do with the frightening content. Many parents don‘t like the idea of their children watching horror movies or reading scary stories for various reasons. Some might be worried that such stories will cause their children distress and have nightmares. Others may fear that exposure to stories like it may cause their children to behave in negative ways, possibly emulating behaviors of antagonists in the stories. 5y

merelybookish Agree with @Chelsibno! This book is scary and it's meant to be scary. It doesn't let the reader off easy or give easy ways to explain what happened. It makes it seem like ghosts DO exist. I imagine lots of parents avoid books that might lead to nightmares. 5y

Daisey I agree that this may have been banned because it allows the ghost to be real, rather than explained away. For a while I also wondered if it was ever challenged for actually promoting an idea of an evil stepsister. Most of the way through the story, it does not encourage the blending of families in a positive way. 5y

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JaclynW @Chelsibno @merelybookish @daisey I'm in agreement with all of you. I think it was banned because of the ghost. It really did seem SO REAL in this book. @Daisey You bring up an interesting point about the negative light of a step family. This book definitely showed that - at first anyway. 5y

Peddler410 I think it was because of promoting the supernatural but the portrayal of the blended family and evil stepsister are also contenders. 5y

IndoorDame I agree it would mostly have been banned for portraying the supernatural as “real”. But I wonder if showing young characters doing something harmful and destructive with no long-term consequences made people more prone to see this story in a bad light. (Helen and Heather both suffered, but by the end they were completely forgiven). I think kids trusting in their parents‘ unconditional love is a good moral, but I can see some people disagreeing. 5y

Mdargusch I assumed it was banned because of the suicide aspect. 5y

Lmstraubie @Mdargusch @IndoorDame @Peddler410 @JaclynW @Daisey @merelybookish @Chelsibno I found this interesting article: https://www.torforgeblog.com/2017/09/25/ban-this-book-bannedchallenged-titles-me... 5y

Daisey @Lmstraubie Thanks for sharing! I actually was talking to a student that read the book about some of the books mentioned that she had read because she couldn‘t understand why they would ever be banned. This will be a great resource to answer her question. 5y

Lmstraubie @Daisey Glad it is helpful! 5y

Mdargusch Answers to the banned book questions! Thank you for sharing. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

I am sooooo SORRY!!! We have been away for the weekend. I meant to post this morning and forgot 😫 Ok, here goes - this month's #mgbuddyread

Mdargusch Sorry I‘m so late in joining in. I checked yesterday afternoon and didn‘t see any questions but I forgot to go back and check last night! 5y

Lmstraubie @Mdargusch I'm sorry I posted so late!!! 5y

23 likes2 comments

LitsyHappenings

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Repost for @Lmstraubie :
Just a reminder! This month's #mgbuddyread is the tagged title. November will be Are You There God? It's me, Margaret by Judy Blume. Our October discussion will be on Sunday, October 28th. Questions will be posted and you jump in when you can. Both titles were chosen because they were challenged and/or banned at one time.

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Daisey

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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It‘s a beautiful fall day to read in the hammock. This ghost story has been on my TBR for a while since several of my students have enjoyed it, and it was a perfect October read. 👻

#MGBuddyRead #MiddleGrade

Lmstraubie

valeriegeary Lovely! 5y

Lmstraubie Such a beautiful day for reading 🙂 5y

sammisho I put my hammock away for the season and regretting it on a day like this! 5y

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Daisey @valeriegeary Thank you! @Lmstraubie It is! @sammisho I have been putting off packing it away in hopes of another weekend like this! 5y

Suet624 That looks so appealing. 5y

Daisey @Suet624 It was lovely! 5y

Kthomliston What does TBR stand for? To be read? 5y

Daisey @Kthomliston Yes, to be read! 5y

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merelybookish

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

A lazy Saturday morning with Obie, finishing the #mgbuddyread before tomorrow's discussion. Cheesy 80s cover aside, I enjoyed this ghost story. Well-written and creepy! 👻👻
Apparently this book is often banned. I wonder if it's because it suggests ghosts really do exist?
@Lmstraubie

Daisey Just read this today as well and enjoyed it more than I expected. 5y

ravenlee My YA book club read this last year (I missed the discussion though 😕). My big takeaway from rereading this was how out of the picture and out of touch the parents are. Guess reading it as a parent changes the perspective. 5y

Lmstraubie I found myself more engaged in the story than I thought I would be. 5y

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merelybookish @Daisey @Lmstraubie I enjoyed it and I don't usually like scary stuff. 5y

merelybookish @ravenlee I didn't think about it much when I was reading but I see your point. Less supervision seems like one of the reasons the parents decided to move to the country. 5y

Daisey @ravenlee I have come to expect this lack of parental involvement from many middle grade books, but when the other adults in the community were talking about what had happened at the Harper House I kept thinking, “This is what you should tell your mom!” 5y

merelybookish @Daisey Yes! There are lots of orphans in children's lit. More chance for adventure when there isn't an adult in charge. 5y

ravenlee @merelybookish @Daisey It is a standby of youthful adventures, both in books and in movies - but it also speaks of the difference in parenting culture between the 80s and today. These parents would be getting a visit from the police today for their lack of supervision of their kids. But does it make the story inaccessible to modern MG readers? 5y

merelybookish @ravenlee Inaccessible or strange? I think kids probably can roll with it but as adults we see it. 5y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Just a reminder! This month's #mgbuddyread is the tagged title. November will be Are You There God? It's me, Margaret by Judy Blume. Our October discussion will be on Sunday, October 28th. Questions will be posted and you jump in when you can. Both titles were chosen because they were challenged and/or banned at one time.
@LitsyHappenings

Daisey I have not had time to start this, but here‘s hoping I can fit in a quick read this weekend. 5y

Peddler410 I‘m looking forward to the discussion. 5y

Lmstraubie @Daisey It can be easily read in an hour or so (providing you have an hour to just read 😉) Hope you can! 5y

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 Me too!🙂 5y

Daisey I think I can make enough time for that today. I‘ve been meaning to read it for the last few years so I don‘t want to miss this chance. 5y

29 likes5 comments

Chelsibno

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

#Haunted #BlackCatChallenge @Clwojick
I‘m reading this great novel as part of the #mgbuddyread for October. I‘ve read it before, but it‘s such a great book that I don‘t mind rereading it, especially this time of year! Definitely a must-read for any young horror lover!

Dragon Great photo 🕷 5y

bookcollecter Weird my daughter just read this in school and she wants me to read it now. I've read the first two chaps so far 5y

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Reviewsbylola

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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I ate this shit up as a kid! I am so glad that my reread upheld my love for this book.

The thing that stood out as an adult—wtf is wrong with the parents. They are total assholes. I couldn‘t stand Heather either, but by the end my feelings for her evolved as Molly‘s did. But the parents, no. They suck.

#somebodyswatchingme #octoberxfiles

Cinfhen, Robothugs

Cinfhen I don‘t remember this book at all but it sounds terrifying for kids!!!! 6y

Robothugs 😱😱 My one niece would love this 6y

Mdargusch I hated that stepfather- what a jerk. 6y

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LitsyHappenings

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Repost for @Lmstraubie :
Don't forget! This month's #mgbuddyread is the tagged title. November will be Are You There God? It's me, Margaret by Judy Blume. Our October discussion will be on Sunday, October 28th. Questions will be posted and you jump in when you can. Both titles were chosen because they were challenged and/or banned at one time.

Lmstraubie Thanks @LitsyHappenings 🙂 6y

45 likes1 comment

Mdargusch

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

I already posted a review of this book but it‘s too perfect for the prompt #cemetery. This MG book tells a story of a family moving into an old church with a cemetery out back. Helen is an unsettled soul that comes out to create trouble for them. It‘s a quick read and a great scary story to read with your kids.
#octoberputaspellonyou

vkois88, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Reviewsbylola Sweet little Georgia. What a good model! 6y

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Awwww 🐶❤️ 6y

tysephine Such a cute dog and SUCH a creepy cover! 6y

emilyhaldi Georgia has no idea what's going on 🤪 but she sure is cute!! 6y

87 likes4 comments

Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Don't forget! This month's #mgbuddyread is the tagged title. November will be Are You There God? It's me, Margaret by Judy Blume. Our October discussion will be on Sunday, October 28th. Questions will be posted and you jump in when you can. Both titles were chosen because they were challenged and/or banned at one time.
@LitsyHappenings

Lmstraubie @Mdargusch This cover cracks me up! Yours is so much better 🤣 6y

Reviewsbylola I def think this is the cover I had. Can‘t wait to reread it!! 6y

Lmstraubie @Reviewsbylola I hope you join us for the #mgbuddyread about it! 6y

Mdargusch It is so funny. I definitely have the updated version! 6y

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Mdargusch

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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This middle grade book follows a blended family as they move into an old church with a graveyard out back. The ghost of Helen comes back to terrorize some family members. I found the nastiness of the stepfather uncomfortable and the theme of parents not believing their children tiresome. That being said, this would be a fun book to read along with your kids when you‘re looking for a good ghost story.
#mgbuddyread #ghosts #octoberxfiles

Cinfhen, Robothugs, Lmstraubie

valeriegeary This was one of my favorites when I was a kid! 6y

Cinfhen Sounds creepy for kids🙈 6y

Reviewsbylola Omg, I‘ve got to borrow this! It sounds like a book I loved in (maybe) the fifth grade. 6y

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Lmstraubie Your cover is sooooo much better than mine! 6y

Mdargusch I bet it‘s the same book @Reviewsbylola I will send it your way. 6y

Laura317 My daughter loved this book! It was her first creepy read. 6y

Reviewsbylola Do you remember that writing room they had at Cassingham? You could make your own book, including a fabric cover, type, and illustrations. I‘m almost positive the book I wrote was inspired by this. I‘ll have to look in my bin and see if it‘s in there. 😂 6y

emilyhaldi This doesn't sound familiar 🤔 6y

Mdargusch I loved that book room @Reviewsbylola ! 6y

102 likes9 comments

LitsyHappenings

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Repost for @Lmstraubie :
This cover takes me back to Jr. High 😂
Why am I reading this book you ask? It's our #mgbuddyread for October 🎃👻 Yup, this beauty from 1986 is our next read. After the group read Ban This Book we decided to read some of the banned titles mentioned. Our discussion will be held on Sunday, October 28th. Join in the (scary, banned) fun!!!

sudi I've never read this, but i love how scary that cover is 😄 6y

LauraJ Wicked awesome! 6y

Chrissyreadit I read that.... around 1986.... 6y

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Lmstraubie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

This cover takes me back to Jr. High 😂
Why am I reading this book you ask? It's our #mgbuddyread for October 🎃👻 Yup, this beauty from 1986 is our next read. After the group read Ban This Book we decided to read some of the banned titles mentioned. Our discussion will be held on Sunday, October 28th. Join in the (scary, banned) fun!!! @LitsyHappenings

BookBabe Omg, I remember this! I loved this book when I read it as a kid! 😍 6y

Johanna414 This book still circulates regularly in my library. Of course, it has a much updated cover... 6y

Laura317 My daughter read this a couple of years ago. She loved it. 6y

Peddler410 That‘s the cover I remember! 6y

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LynnMPK

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

All the best books have maps!

IndoorDame Agree!!! 5y

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LynnMPK

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Super pumped for my fall spooky TBR! 👻☠️🎃

8 likes

Q84

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

1. Tagged book when I was young since I don't really read scary stories. This is a ghost story.
2. The sixth sense. Is that really scary? I don't know I don't really watch scary movies. Oh how about The boy in the Striped Pajamas. I'm bad at this!
3. There's so much I love about Autumn! But the cooler temperature would have to be one of the best.
4. When Bad Things Happen to Good People
5. Tag you're it!

Clare-Dragonfly Oh, I love The Sixth Sense! I should have mentioned that one. 6y

56 likes1 comment

BucklingBookshelves

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

This is one of only 2 books I still have from my childhood. There are a few more at my parents‘ house, but we gave away or traded in almost all of them over the years. I have second-hand copies of books that are surely older and I have replacement copies of books I remember reading back then, but this is the best fit for the #24in48 Childhood Reads challenge for sure. In addition to age, it‘s tattered because I reread it SO MANY times.

10 likes

NicoleCeBallos

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

pick

This was one of my favorite books when I was a kid. I loved it so much. I was hesitant about reading it as an adult, but it was still a pretty solid book. Except for the parents. They're awful.

3 likes

Smangela

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

Has anyone heard of this? How did this escape me! Now I must see where I can get my hands on it! Middle-school me loved Mary Downing Hahn 😍

BeththeBookDragon Squeeee! I LOVED this book as a kid 6y

Smangela @BeththeBookDragon right?! I was watching The Great Gilly Hopkins and trying to figure out where I knew the main character from (it‘s The Book Thief) and stumbled upon this gem she is ALSO in ♥️ this actress must love adaptations :) haha 6y

alleyfam51699 That was my favorite book when I was a kid. I remember buying it at our book fair. 6y

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Lindy When this was a contender for the PNLA Young Readers‘ Choice Award, some schools would not allow us to booktalk it to their students when we visited from the public library. Reason? Ghosts. ☹️ (edited) 6y

Smangela @Lindy wow that is frustrating!! I hope things have progressed? 6y

Smangela @alleyfam51699 it felt so scary when I was a kid 😍. I found it at a library sale not too long ago and geeked out! 6y

Lindy @Smangela I hope so too. 6y

37 likes7 comments

Chelsibno

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

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I needed some awesome MDH stories to round out my middle grade Halloween reading, so I picked up this classic & finished it within a day! I love how well Hahn can write family relationship struggles & how well they tie into the ghostly occurrences in each story. The focus on a blended family struggling to come together while one child acts in awful ways to try to tear the family apart ties in so well with the haunting presence in this story.

Allietaylor16 "Time for Andrew" is an all time favorite! I should really read this one! 6y

TobeyTheScavengerMonk When I was in middle school everyone talked about how this book was the scariest one in our library. 6y

Serotonin I remember seeing this book many many years ago... 6y

ferskner I forgot about this book! So scary (when I was 10...and maybe still is?) 6y

32 likes4 comments

PatriciaU

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

A couple weeks ago, I asked Littens to share their favorite scary stories. So many of you shared your shivery faves! At the time, I was working on a blog post for 31 Days of Halloween Reading. Here it is! https://itsallaboutthebook.org/2017/09/23/31-days-of-halloween-reading/ Thank you for sharing your faves with me. I hope you find some news ones in this list!

TheWordJar And my October TBR explodes! 😂 Excellent list!! 7y

52 likes1 comment

TheBooktrovert

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

One of my most favorite books as a kid found at the thrift store. Picked up this new copy of which the cover is a hell of a lot creepier than the version i had. Gonna read it and then put it in my Little Free Library to scare the crap out of another kid. #24in48 #readathon #littlefreelibrary

8 likes

JoeStalksBeck

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

My YA for today. This quick little read was well worth the time 😊

ashlinisme One of my favorites! 7y

JoeStalksBeck @ashlinisme this was a really good book. I found more on Overdrive 👍🏻 7y

JessieReadsInBK This was one of my favorites as a child! She came to my elementary school for a signing and a wrote her a fan letter. If only I could remember what I wrote 😂😂😂 7y

katelizabee Oh this is one of my all-time favorites! 7y

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LibrarianRyan

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

I think the three pictures above perfectly sums up my childhood if scary books. #allhallowsread #yascary. I don't always feel old but most YA came out after I was in school. Why oh why is 37 old. (Yeah right says my new gray hairs).

bmsddk 37 is not old! 😊 You're 37 years young with fun multi-colouring hair! 7y

BeththeBookDragon Wait till Helen Comes is one of those books that stuck with me... I think of it every time I paddleboard in a lake with all of the weeds and plants growing up from the bottom. 7y

LibrarianRyan @bmsddk thanks. 7y

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Smangela

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

pick

This book CREEPED me out as a kid, but not so much that I wasn't also kind of obsessed with it #AllHallowsRead

Litsy

MMenefee I didn't read her books until a couple years ago and she has written some seriously scary stories. Underrated, for sure. 7y

BeththeBookDragon I was just commenting on @LibrarianRyan 's post about this book... still think about it! 7y

Smangela @bethfriedman906 and @MMenefee I need to read some more of her books I think! 7y

26 likes3 comments

Jaimie

Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story | Mary Downing Hahn

My #firsthorrorbook. I read this when I was 8 or 9 and it terrified me. I have no idea why my nightmare-prone mind would think reading it was a good idea...I must have been copying my older sister. #AllHallowsRead

bookishkai This was SO creepy and I remember being terrified but I also loved it. It led me to Christopher Pike books. And of course I swear up and down that I don't like scary books, but I sure liked them as a little kid. 7y

Jaimie @bookishkris The Hitchhiker! Another memorable early horror story (that I think I read after my older sister). Loved some Fear Street, too. 7y

14 likes2 comments

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