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Author Mary Downing Hahn booklist (click here)

Book Review By Miranda
Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn

Molly and Michael, like most kids, weren't thrilled when their mom remarried, especially due to their creepy new stepsister, Heather, who seems determined to blame small problems on them and start fights. Exacerbating the problem is the new family's move to an old house (a converted church) in the country. There, Heather's eccentricities grow worse. Molly and Michael's possessions are destroyed and Heather begins talking to an invisible friend named "Helen." After Michael and Molly do some research, they realize that this is no ordinary invisible friend--Helen is the ghost of a long-dead girl who once lived in the house. And she seems to want Heather to be her friend, forever and ever. Unfortunately, Molly's mom and Heather's dad don't believe the ghost bit. Molly and Michael must put aside their feelings about Heather in order to do what they know is right: save her from evil.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)
Horror story? Yes
Horror plotlets - the haunted house chased me!
Family relations Yes
Descript. of chases or violence - 10 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 50 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 %

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status:
Age: - a kid

Main Adversary
Identity: - magical being
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - telekinesis
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
Earth setting: - 20th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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