The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story [Audiobook, MP3 Audio, Unabridged] [Audio CD]

Mary Downing Hahn (Author), Ellen Grafton (Reader)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2009 | Grade Level: 4 and up

Diana and her little brother Georgie have been living in the woods behind the old Willis place, a decaying Victorian mansion, for what already seems like forever. They aren't allowed to leave the property or show themselves to anyone. But when a new caretaker comes to live there with his young daughter, Lissa, Diana is tempted to break the mysterious rules they live by and reveal herself so she can finally have a friend. Somehow, Diana must get Lissa's help if she and Georgie ever hope to release themelves from the secret that has bound them to the old Willis place for so long. Mary Downing Hahn has written a chilling ghost story in the tradition of her most successful spine-tingling novels. The intriguing characters, frightening secrets, and plot twists will delight her many fans.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—Diana and her younger brother Georgie know the rules and obey them at all costs. They are not allowed to talk or show themselves to anyone and they can't leave the grounds surrounding the old Willis place. For as long as they can remember these rules have been clear, but when a new caretaker and his daughter, Lissa, move in, Diana challenges the rules so that she can finally have a friend. The siblings have been scared of the Willis place and Ms. Lillian for a long time and for a good reason—"the bad thing" happened there. Mary Downing Hahn's ghost story (Clarion, 2004) is suspenseful and full of plot twists. Narrator Ellen Grafton's cheerful, child-like tone portrays the innocence and playful nature of the main characters. She gives each character a unique voice, and her upbeat tone masks the true horror of the story. Clues will lead listeners to realize that the siblings are ghosts before the fact is actually established, but the sense of foreboding will keep their attention throughout.—Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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. An avid reader, traveler, and all-around arts lover, Ms. Hahn lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her two cats, Oscar and Rufus.

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio on MP3-CD; MP3 Una edition (February 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423381122
• ISBN-13: 978-1423381129
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,859,727 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

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book Review Of "The Old Willis Place", October 13, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story (Hardcover)

Mary Downing Hahn's book The Old Willis Place, is a ghost story like no other. Hahn perfectly illustrates all mental images. You could picture exactly what Oak Hill Manor looks like, or even the Caretaker's Trailer and the River Hideout. If you are looking for a ghost story with a happy ending, then this is the book for you.

Georgie and Diana live in a tin shed in the woods by The Old Willis Place. Even though they have no parents, they still must obey the rules embedded in their minds long ago. Their favorite thing to do is to scare the Caretakers so much that they leave Oak Hill Manor; usually they are old and grumpy men. But, this time it's a middle-aged man with a daughter named Lissa. Diana does not yet know how much Lissa will change her life. Then one day, the thing that Diana and Georgie most fear is released, the ghost of Miss Lillian. She comes looking for them to punish them for what they did to her long ago.

This book will have you on the edge of your seat from the beginning to the heart-wrenching end that will emotionally slap you in the face. The Old Willis Place is an appropriate book for all ages, though it might be scary for people who thought that some of her other books like Time For Andrew and Wait Till Helen Comes were scary. This book is at the top of my list, and once you read it, it will be at the top of your list too.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chilling Read, March 24, 2005

By 

auntnancy (CHERRY HILL, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story (Hardcover)

The following review is from my 10 year old nephew:

"This book is an amazing book with lots of scary twists inside of it....it even gave me nightmares. It is the best ghost story I have ever read. The characters were very brave and went to any lengths to sustain a friendship."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Plot and Story, July 29, 2007

By 

Apache Wind "Bookaholic" (Somewhere Over The Rainbow) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story (Hardcover)

This book held you from the "get-go" and kept you caught in it's magical web of double-mirrors and fun-house antics. This is like the "I see dead people" film but in book form and not as guesome but more age appropriate. It would also make a great movie--one of the few childrens books I found complete and fully closed once it ended, and left feeling satified that I had made a good choice in purchasing it. Great book for those who like ghost stories with a twist.