63 pages • 2 hours read
Mary Downing HahnThe Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2004A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn follows siblings Diana and Georgie, who secretly live on the grounds of an old, abandoned mansion. When new caretakers move in nearby, Diana yearns for friendship and interacts with the landlord's daughter, Lissa, leading to a series of events that uncover tragic pasts, ghostly hauntings, and themes of forgiveness and healing.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Mary Downing Hahn's The Old Willis Place is praised for its engaging atmosphere and gripping mystery, which effectively blend elements of horror and historical fiction. Readers appreciate the well-developed characters and suspenseful plot. However, some critique the pacing and desire more complex resolutions. Overall, it's a compelling read for young audiences.
Who Should Read The Old Willis Place?
Readers who enjoy the eerie mysteries of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman or the haunting elements of Coraline will be captivated by Mary Downing Hahn's The Old Willis Place. This book is perfect for young adults who love ghost stories intertwined with themes of friendship and overcoming past traumas.
RecommendedReading Age
10-14yearsLexile Level
630LBook Details
Mystery / Crime Fiction
Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction
Fantasy
Grief / Death
Religion / Spirituality
Life/Time: Mortality & Death
Relationships: Friendship
Relationships: Siblings