Closed for the Season [Hardcover]

Mary Downing Hahn (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

A contemporary thriller by the bestselling author of THE OLD WILLIS PLACE.

Two 13-year-old boys, Arthur and Logan, set out to solve the mystery of a murder that took place some years ago in the old house Logan's family has just moved into. The boys' quest takes them to the highest and lowest levels of society in their small Maryland town, and eventually to a derelict amusement park that is supposedly closed for the season.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—Another well-done, action-packed mystery from Hahn. This book starts off as seventh-grader Logan Forbes learns that a murder had been committed in his family's new house three years earlier. Myrtle Donaldson, a bookkeeper accused of embezzling from the local amusement park, was found dead in her ransacked house and her killer is still at large. Logan's next-door neighbor, Arthur Jenkins, a sixth grader with a bottomless stomach and a quirky personality, is convinced that Mrs. Donaldson was falsely accused, and he wants Logan to help him find the real perpetrator. The boys discover a letter and puzzle left among the woman's possessions that convinces them they are on the right track. Their investigation includes visiting the abandoned and overgrown Magic Forest amusement park, a reporter with secrets, shady property developers, a menacing convict, and purloined library materials. It all culminates in a terrifying nighttime showdown among the kudzu at the Magic Forest where the truth is revealed. This is an enjoyable mystery with just the right amount of frightening and dangerous elements to entice readers. Logan is a sympathetic character—a new kid in town trying to find his place in the pecking order, almost immediately befriended by someone on the lowest rung who turns out the be the right friend for him.—Terrie Dorio, Santa Monica Public Library, CA END

Review

Winner of the 2010 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery

“As always, [Hahn] is brilliant at establishing tone—eerie, creepy and surreal. The ‘cold case’ mystery, the over-the-top fun of the Magic Forest scenes and the even darker mysteries of friendship and school life will make this a sure hit.”—Kirkus Reviews

 

“Another well-done, action-packed mystery from Hahn. . . . Just the right amount of frightening and dangerous elements to entice readers.”—School Library Journal

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; None edition (June 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 054708451X
• ISBN-13: 978-0547084510
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #329,753 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Downing Hahn, a former children's librarian, is the award-winning author of many popular ghost stories, including Deep and Dark and Dangerous and The Old Willis Place. An avid reader, traveler, and all-around arts lover, Ms. Hahn lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her two cats, Oscar and Rufus.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Closed for the Season, July 22, 2009

By 

Sandra K. Stiles (Sarasota, Florida) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Closed for the Season (Hardcover)

Logan Forbes has just moved into the most run down house he has ever seen. To make matters worse
Arthur, the know-it-all kid next door makes himself at home in their new house. Logan's mother doesn't like Arthur and decides he is not to be believed. Especially when he tells them that the old lady who lived there before them was murdered. Arthur proves to Logan that the story is true. The two boys set out to prove who murdered the old lady.

This was a quick and easy read. I liked the characters. They were well developed. All of us has met the kid that no one likes. He is the one who is different. Maybe it is because he is the smartest kid in class. In Arthur's case he is the smartest, but also different because he lives with his grandmother and doesn't have a lot of special clothes like his classmates dol. He doesn't really care either. Unfortunately, Logan fits right in with Arthur. The main difference is he has never broken the law until he moved next door to Arthur. I also loved the contrast between his mother and father. His mother is a very uptight person who wants to be part of the social crowd. His father is the laid back art teacher at the high school. Logan takes after his father and his mother is determined to change him. There were some twists and turns that I had not expected that made it a refreshing book. Another reason for me to keep reading this author's books.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Closed for the Season, November 5, 2009

By 

C. Lyons (Oxford, Georgia) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Closed for the Season (Hardcover)

I really LOVE to read Mary Downing Hahn's books!!! This was a great mystery! I would highly recommend this book!! She is such a great writer~she hooks you on page one and doesn't let you go until the last page!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story for young boys!!!, April 4, 2010

By 

xaime (Oregon,USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Closed for the Season (Hardcover)

It is very difficult to find a book that my young son will enjoy but this one he read and couldn't stop til he finished. That says more than I could.