In the spirit of October, I saw it fit to start off this year’s book reviews with a ghost story: Wait till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn. The book follows Molly, a twelve year old girl whose mother recently remarried. Molly and her brother Michael didn’t mind when their mother remarried another man, Dave. However, they didn’t expect to be tormented, not by a ghost, but by Dave’s young daughter Heather. Anytime there was an opportunity to get Michael and Molly in trouble, Heather would take it. Molly couldn’t imagine having a worse step-sister. Things got even more complicated when Molly’s mother informed her and Michael that they were moving to the countryside to live in house that was once a church. Through protests and pleads, the family moved to their new home. Right away, Molly knew something would go wrong when she spotted a graveyard in their backyard. Things got even creepier when Molly saw Heather talking to someone by a tombstone at the far end of the graveyard. But who? There was no one there. When confronted with the situation, Heather simply said, “Just wait, Molly. Just wait till Helen Comes” (Hahn 109). Molly is determined to keep Helen away, sure that danger is lurking among the tombstones. As she does so, Molly discovers secrets that may have been better off buried.

This novel captures the reader from beginning to end. It leads up to secrets of the past in ways that maintain suspense. The reader predicts what will happen next, as if solving a mystery. We get a sense of nostalgia when we read books like this because it makes us remember our own childish fears. The point of view also makes it an easy read that doesn’t turn attention away from the plot. The characters have different opinions on the supernatural: Michael is the skeptic, Molly is the believer, and Heather is the one captivated by the ghost. I like the idea of not involving the parents much in the ghost story because it makes the story scarier. The fact that the parents don’t believe Molly gives her a sense of helplessness and adds to her fear. The people who are meant to protect Molly do nothing, instead choosing to ignore her. The story was well planned because it made a clear connection between the ghost and the other characters. Helen and Heather seemed to have intertwined stories, but the connection remains a secret until the last page. The story is suspenseful and creative, and intended for anyone who likes a good ghost story or even those, like me, who actually believe in the supernatural. I definitely enjoyed reading this book, especially relating to Molly, and recommend it. It took me about two days to read, summing up to only 184 pages. So, if you have some extra time, you should definitely pick up this book.