Since its publication in 1986, the deliciously frightening novel Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story has not only haunted countless readers, but has also won eleven state book awards. The spine-chilling tale begins when twelve-year-old Molly and her ten-year-old brother, 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. Heather is an insufferable brat, but that turns out to be the least of the family’s worries. When she strikes up a friendship with Helen, the malevolent ghost of a seven-year-old girl who died in a mysterious fire more than a hundred years ago, things really heat up . . . and Heather’s unsettling threat, “Wait till Helen comes,” becomes a grim reality.
Wait Till Helen Comes: A Ghost Story
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-7 Ghost story fans have a spooky treat in store with Hahn's eerie new novel. Molly, the 12-year-old narrator, and her brother Michael dislike their bratty 5-year-old stepsister Heather and resent the family move to an isolated converted church in the country. The adjourning graveyard frightens Molly, but Heather seems drawn to it. Molly discovers that the ghost of a child (Helen) who died in a fire a century ago wants to lure Heather to her doom. Molly determines to save her stepsister. In so doing, she learns that Heather's strange behavior stems from her feelings of guilt at having accidentally caused her mother's death by playing near a stove and starting a fire. Eventually, Molly wrests Heather from Helen's arms as the ghost attempts to drown them. The girls discover the skeletons of Helen's parents, and their burial finally puts to rest Helen's spirit. This is a powerful, convincing, and frightening tale. The details of everyday life quickly give way to terror. The pace never slackens. Characterization is strong, and descriptive passages set a mood of suspense. There should be a heavy demand from readers who are not "faint at heart." Judy Greenfield, Rye Free Reading Room, N.Y.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"A powerful, convincing, and frightening tale...Ghost-story fans have a spooky treat in store." -- -- School Library Journal Starred Review
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
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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
34 of 35 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I first read this book about 15 years ago. I've probably read it at least 50 times. It wasn't a book - it was an experience. I mean, how often does this happen - a stranger comes up to you because you're holding a book, says they knew they had to talk to you when they saw it, you bond over it and go on to be friends for years. That's what kind of book this is...!
This is a scary book. I wouldn't go near anything or anyone with the name "Helen" or "Harper" for years. This book also got me started reading the other books by Mary Downing Hahn. Every time I went to a library or bookstore, I immediately looked for new books by her.
I know my paperback is around here someplace (I remember the library hardcover's much nicer cover illustration...) but I haven't read it in a while. However, little bits of it or certain phrases from it pop up for me now and then... I think the book got so ingrained in me that I don't even notice it! Parts of it were so vivid and (fittingly) haunting - the link between the girls' names, the ruins of the house, the damage done to Molly and Michael's rooms, the creek that wound around through the forest and near the graveyard before finally leading to Harper Pond. Thinking about it still gives me chills.
Excellent... I can't recomend it enough.
49 of 53 people found the following review helpful
By Megan
Format:Paperback
This is an amazingly well-crafted ghost story. Spooky without ever being really scary, it is a good read for anyone of any age.
Molly's mother has remarried, and the new family (including Molly's brother Michael and new step-sister, Heather) moves out to the countryside so that the artist parents can have studio space. Heather, however, is a horrible little brat that tries to make Molly and Michael's life a nightmare. Since she is younger than Molly or Michael, and still hasn't gotten over her mother's death, Molly and Michael always get blamed. Even when Heather starts claiming that she can see a ghost named Helen, who is coming to get Molly...
I have a very low fear tolerance, and still can't watch horror movies (Christine scared the living daylights out of me as a teenager, and I couldn't sleep for days), but I still love this book. I re-read it every year on Halloween for years, and I still enjoy reading it. Any child, teenager, or adult who likes ghost stories should definately pick this one up.
Molly's mother has remarried, and the new family (including Molly's brother Michael and new step-sister, Heather) moves out to the countryside so that the artist parents can have studio space. Heather, however, is a horrible little brat that tries to make Molly and Michael's life a nightmare. Since she is younger than Molly or Michael, and still hasn't gotten over her mother's death, Molly and Michael always get blamed. Even when Heather starts claiming that she can see a ghost named Helen, who is coming to get Molly...
I have a very low fear tolerance, and still can't watch horror movies (Christine scared the living daylights out of me as a teenager, and I couldn't sleep for days), but I still love this book. I re-read it every year on Halloween for years, and I still enjoy reading it. Any child, teenager, or adult who likes ghost stories should definately pick this one up.
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
The book Wait Helen Comes is one of the scariest books I have ever read. It's a mysery and ghost story by Mary Downing Hawn. The book's about a ghost named Helen who died in a fire.A girl named Molly,her step-sister named Heather who's mom died in a fire ,and her brother Michael who thinks everything has a scientifical explanation.
I liked the part when Heather got back the locket from Helen.But I didn't like that the only thing on the letter was don't forget me.But I wonder if Michael will beleve in Helen.
I think that the theme is love is strongest overall. In the book two charecters did horrible things.But they where forgiven by other charecters.So I think that love is strongest overall.
I liked the part when Heather got back the locket from Helen.But I didn't like that the only thing on the letter was don't forget me.But I wonder if Michael will beleve in Helen.
I think that the theme is love is strongest overall. In the book two charecters did horrible things.But they where forgiven by other charecters.So I think that love is strongest overall.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wait till Helen come
This is a very interesting book that makes you feel that you are an innocent bystander watching harmlessly from within the shadows of the description.
Published 1 day ago by Valerie Christensen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Read it all in one day!
I'm a fan of spooky stories, and when my friend recommended this book, I was intrigued immediately. I enjoyed this book and found it hard to put down. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Araya
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome book
This book is amazing. It is the best ghost story I have ever read. It is definitely worth your money.
Published 2 days ago by Madelynn
5.0 out of 5 stars
extremely scary
the best book to read if you loved to be scared. is my favorite book out of all the books i have read.
Published 13 days ago by maggie hefner
5.0 out of 5 stars
What I thought about this book!
I loved this book! It was very suspenseful. I thought that Heather would never make amends with Michael and Molly but she actually did! Read more
Published 16 days ago by Tami Jara
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
This is a great book but I think it's a little too scary for smaller children but all in all this is a good book for ages 10-12( if you like horror) but I think you should read... Read more
Published 25 days ago by Emmz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wait till Helen comes.
This book was the best ghost story I've ever read. It is such a good book. I love it! =D
Published 1 month ago by Kahala Maikalani Bandmann
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Ghost Story!
If you have a young one that like ghost stories this is a very good book. I read it to my daugher and she did not want me to put it down.
Published 1 month ago by E. Springer
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
This was a good book !! All my friends at school said it was a scary book but I didn't think so
Published 1 month ago by claudia choney
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wait till Hellen Comes
It was the most amazing book I am going to read all the ghost stories you have especially doll house murderers.
Published 1 month ago by Madison sikes
