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

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

Book Description

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 Lib Ed; Library edition (February 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423381130
• ISBN-13: 978-1423381136
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Chilling ghost story for upper elementary listeners, August 23, 2011

By 

Z Hayes (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

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

I have been reading many of Mary Downing Hahn's books for children and YA and love her supernatural-themed stories, especially her ghost stories. The Old Willis Place is an atmospheric ghost story. Here the audiobook is an unabridged version of the story. The plot focuses on a pair of siblings named Diana and Georgie. They have been living on the Willis farm for many years, and yet have no parents or family taking care of them. The siblings fend for themselves and are used to being on their own. Things change when a twelve-year-old girl named Lissa moves with her dad to the farm. Lissa's dad is the new caretaker who is tasked with overseeing the maintenance of the Old Willis Place, and when he's not working, he's writing.

Diana and Georgie begin to 'borrow' Lissa's things and Lissa gets upset when her new bicycle, a favorite book, and her beloved teddy bear get taken. She writes about her angry feelings in her diary, wishing her dad would send her to school like other children instead of homeschooling her and keeping her isolated from everyone else. Diana is curious about Lissa and wishes to make friends with her, but her brother keeps reminding her of the 'rules' which can't be broken - rules such as not being seen by Lissa and her dad, not talking to anyone else, etc.

When Diana eventually breaks the rules and becomes Lissa's friend, terrible consequences follow. Something old and malignant is unleashed when Lissa breaks into the Old Willis Place, and secrets long buried come to light. The story moves quite slowly in the beginning, and only takes off after Lissa enters the Old Willis Place. Children ages 8-12 will enjoy this suspenseful ghost story.