| Title | : | The Old Willis Place |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0618430180 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780618430185 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 208 |
| Publication | : | First published September 20, 2004 |
| Awards | : | South Carolina Book Award Children's Book Award (2008), Vermont Golden Dome Book Award (2006), Iowa Children's Choice Award (2008), Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (2008) |
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.
The Old Willis Place Reviews
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We really enjoyed this story of siblings, Diana and Georgie who live in the grounds of the Old Willis Place. When another 12yr old girl moves in with her father, who is to be the new caretaker, Diana longs to make friends, but as we find out, this is one of many things that is forbidden and against the rules.
We enjoyed the suspense, the scary plot and working out what had happened and what the outcome would be. We thought the descriptions of the way the children felt about Although scary, this was not nightmare inducing, it did have us on the edge of our seats and as a read aloud, each time I finished a chapter my daughter would say 'no don't stop!'
The ending was resolved well, although we both thought
We liked the way the story switched between the viewpoints of the two girls and switched between present and past, this was interesting without being confusing, with some interesting human and animal characters too. -
Although some readers might well and even with ample reason find the rather obvious standard predicability of Mary Downing Hahn's The Old Willis Place a trifle repetitive, for someone like myself who has always tended to scare rather too easily (and indeed, I have in the past often been plagued by nightmares after watching frightening movies or reading certain types of horror fiction), that same predicability which inhabits The Old Willis Place, I have actually rather welcomed it as almost being a godsend, for this certainly has managed to calm my nerves and to allow me to keep reading and yes, actually quite enjoying the author's presented ghost story narrative even when, even once the themes and scenarios were definitely becoming more and more potentially frightening and creepily saddening.
However, while I most definitely have very much appreciated The Old Willis Place as a novel, and even indeed very much loving the ending (which I do think that is a sweetly satisfying conclusion, with especially Diana, Georgie and their parents finally finding peace), personally, I guess I would have rather had as part of the ending of The Old Willis Place that Diana and Georgie had not only found rest (and their parents, of course) but at the same time also being able to keep active and "alive" their budding friendship with Lissa and her father (and I certainly must also admit that the angry part of my personality did and still does think that Old Miss Lillian Willis certainly got off far far too easily and painlessly considering her actions, considering what her crimes against Diana and Georgie had been). Three stars and definitely recommended as a solid, mildly creepy but thankfully also not ever too overtly and gratuitously violent Middle Grade ghost story (and the only reason I am not ready to consider a four star ranking for The Old Willis Place is that how Mary Downing Hahn presents the many "rules" that govern Diana and Georgie's existence as ghosts has been both rather overly exaggerated and not always depicted and penned in a non potentially confounding and wishy washy fashion). -
Diana and her brother Georgie have haunted the grounds of the Willis house for almost as long as they can remember. Their parents used to work for old Mrs. Willis until the bad thing happened. When they left, Diana and Georgie had to remain behind and follow certain rules – they were to remain hidden, and they were not to leave the property. Mrs. Willis eventually passed away, and her house has been looked after for many years, now, by a series of caretakers – each taking less care than the last. Diana and Georgie “borrow” whatever they want from the caretakers and take great pleasure in playing practical jokes on them. Then, one day, new caretakers arrive – a novelist and his daughter, Lissa – and suddenly what Diana wants more than anything is for Lissa to be her friend.
Diana’s friendship with Lissa changes everything, however. It breaks the rules, it angers Georgie, and worst of all, it releases the ghost of Mrs. Willis from its imprisonment in the parlor of the old house. Her ghost is free to chase after Diana and Georgie, and they’re not sure what horrible fate it has planned for them.
In the beginning of the story, it’s not entirely clear whether Diana and Georgie know that they’re ghosts. And they’re not like most ghosts you’ve heard of either – frail and insubstantial. Diana and Georgie are full-bodied, fleshed ghosts – almost exactly like their young selves the day that they died. There are clues, however, throughout the book that should help readers guess what they are. Mrs. Willis was a slightly crazy, cantankerous old woman when she was alive, and she was cruel to the children – just as they were cruel to her. On the fateful day that the “bad thing” happened, Mrs. Willis chased the children into the basement and locked them in a room. She told them she would let them out when they were ready to apologize, but she promptly went upstairs and had a stroke. By the time she returned to health, the children were dead. She never meant to do them that kind of harm, so she never mentions what had become of them.
While Mrs. Willis remains a mostly evil presence throughout the book, she does manage (in the last chapter) to acquire some depth. She apologizes to the children and they’re even able to forgive her. Their resolution enables them all to follow Diana and Georgie’s parents into the afterworld – presumably, heaven.
This was a quick, haunting read. It’s spooky enough to entertain 9-12 year olds – some of the parts about Mrs. Willis are truly scary. The “nice” resolution, though, is quite reassuring and should allay any residual fears about ghosts and evil old Mrs. Willis. -
Five-star feedback scales are a disservice. The breadth and height of Mary Downing Hahn's work is extraordinarily special. Because the tack this took flew far from the norm, it wasn't haunting enough but the originality and quality of “The Old Willis Place”, 2004, exceeds other literature receiving three stars. I would grade six or seven, on a useful scale. Let's keep asking for a ten-star scale.
The synopsis, siblings barred from friends or vacating a property, gives away the angle ahead of starting the novel. However it would be no fun for less keen guessers, if reviewing those factors gave more away. I enjoy a fair bit of youth literature but grimace if a little sibling is thrown in. I seldom meet any I like, including Georgie. He was nothing but a sour countenance at Diana's efforts to befriend a caretaker and his daughter, Lissa; a redundant exhortation of rules. If we were apprised of them and the cryptic danger, hinted about too long to make the story spooky or urgent; it could be a chilling tale despite a narrative in which the usual mysteriousness can't nestle. If Diana had clued Lissa in so she could react to the unusual circumstances for us, there could be awe and emotional question and answer opportunities through her. An unusual tilt was made far too matter-of-fact.
The end brought scary chases and beautiful closure. However when Lissa raided the house against Diana's warning, it was annoying. I detest the word “tug” and Mary used it ten times a page. Say “pull”!!!! A spooky novel was intended but Diana mainly reiterated what she ought not do. The logistics were uneven. She dressed-up, read, wrote, but didn't don footwear and declined food and drink? What I love is that she slept with a loyal cat. -
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 themselves from the secret that has bound them to the old Willis place for so long.
Great Suspense And Creepiness,Loved The Book AND The Audio Version
This is such a great book. It's really a creepy and a suspenseful page-turner. I loved the development of the story, and was rewarded with a great ending that I did not see coming when I originally read the book.
Two years later when I got my Kindle Touch, I wanted to play around with audiobooks on my Kindle, and was able to borrow audio version of The Old Willis Place from my library and it was a blast to listen to, extremely well read.
Highly recommended! -
I studied the clouds’ dark shapes – flocks of lost sheep straying across a desolate wasteland, blown to rags and tatters by the wind.
Ah, yes, The Old Willis Place is a beautiful and chilling ghost story! It was a page-turner for me. Mary Downing Hahn creates a nice, slow build-up. There are secrets and rules with Diana and Georgie on the farm of Oak Hill Manor. While reading, my mind was going in several different directions anticipating the end result.
Diana, the protagonist, 12 years old, lives in a shed in the woods with her younger brother Georgie. They have been living there for a long time with a strict set of rules that keeps them from leaving the farm. Miss Lilian Willis, the antagonist and owner of The Old Willis Place, is a terrifying figure throughout the story. Something interesting that Hahn does very well -- she introduces a second protagonist, Lissa. Hahn tackles this feat through Lissa’s diary entries interspersed throughout the novel.
The descriptions of the woods in October and November are excellent. This story is set in Maryland, so you feel the very cool temperatures, the dampness after a rain; the aromas of decaying leaves under your feet.
This is a perfect book for young readers. The intermediate vocabulary is a subtle teaching tool: “Undeterred; fidgeting and fretting; soughing in the treetops; cold dank air” are just a few samples. Also, the references of books, through one conversation of Diana and Lissa, are excellent for a new reader who may be interested in further readings: Wuthering Heights, Oliver Twist, Treasure Island, Great Expectations, Kidnapped and Jane Eyre, and The Call of the Wild.
This is an exciting, suspenseful read. I found this book on my bookshelf and asked my boys (while they were still home from their college break) if they remembered reading it. The one son said it was a great book – he remembered reading it in grammar school. GR has it rated 4.11. I agree; it is a great read. -
It wouldn't be spooky season if I didn't read at least one Mary Downing Hahn book. Just like all the others I've read by her, this one was amazing!
This story was about Diana and Georgie, a bother and sister who have lived in the woods behind the Old Willis Place for many years. They have rules that say they can't leave the property or talk to anyone, which makes it hard when Diana wants to befriend the new caretakers daughter, Lissa. Georgie is against this as he knows that breaking the rules could have some very serious and even deadly consequences.
It's pretty obvious what's going on with Diana and Georgie but even still this book was really good and definitely fit the atmosphere of spooky season. I also love that both sets of families in this book have pets that are very active in the story and not just mentioned here and there but mentioned through out the story. -
3 Stars
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A very scary story. A family moves and on their property there is a graveyard. The story is how there seems to be a ghost that is haunting them. The ghost is putting the kids little sister in danger, the ghost, who they call "Helen" is trying to slowly get the little girl to come with her (to drown her in a pond also near their house). The ghost has done many things that they do not appreciate, like messing up their house and trying to kill the other siblings who don't seem to believe in this so called "ghost" that their little sister keeps warning them about. There is a burned down house right on the outer side of the little pond and the kids ask the ghost how she died. She said her house was caught on fire. Her parents died also in the fire, looking for little Helen. She was mad and felt like she had ignored her parents and felt like she was the one that started the fire which ends up being true. She turns kind of evil and that is pretty much the end of the story. So I am sorry I just spoiled the book for you if you didn't know. I DID warn you it had spoilers in it! :) Sorry for those people!
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This is my 3rd Mary Hahn book in as many weeks and she has not disappointed yet and continues to amaze me with her interesting ghost stories. I put a stack of her other books on reserve at the library today. She is page turningly delicious !!! 👻👻👻👻👻👻👻
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Surprisingly creepy and poignant.
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Not one of Hahn's creepiest, but very good, especially the ending.
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I think this book was really good because Mary Downing Hahn kept putting in hints that led to the ending. I also liked how Lissa was there and helped push the story forward. I highly recommend reading this book. It isn't a super scary book. I personally don't like scary things, but this book wasn't too scary. I really like mysteries and I really liked this book because of that.
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Diana and Georgie live by rules bound upon them from an unknown source or person they were just put in their heads right after the "bad time" they're simple rules with unknown cosiquences. Stay away from the Oak Hill Manor (The Old Willis Place), do not leave the grounds, and do not be seen by anyone. Which is an easy rule to follow until Lissa moves in with her dad and her loyal dog MacDuff move in as the new caretakers of the grounds. Lissa is appears to be about 12 the same age as Diana or like Diana appears to be... Diana hasn't had a friend in nearly 65 years and all the previous caretakers were old drunk guys that hardly served more than year if that. Diana and Georgie begin to spy on Lissa and her father. Diana learns a lot about her from this like that she loves to read and she has lots of stuffed animals and shes a quiet person. The more diana learns the more she wants to be Lissa's friend rules or no rules. But the first time she earns up the guts to meet her it doesn't go quite as planned... but with almost 60 years without a bath what do you expect? Does Diana get her second chance to have a friend and will she and Georgie ever leave the grounds you'll have to read The Old Willis place by Mary Downing Hahn.
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So.. I just finished THe Old Willis Place: A ghost story. And I have to say this book is the the BEST book I ever read. It's a bout a girl and a boy Dianna and GEorgie who live in in a field where there is a mansion that an old lady died in. A caretaker and his daughter Lisa move in near the mansion. When Dianna becomes friends with Lissa she puts her and her brother's "life" in danger . Breaking the rules she had recieved had deadly consequences . This book is just awesome I read if in like 2 days. It's full of secrets and suspense and I just loved it
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This book was good lots of ways. It really showed how making friends isn't that hard. But that's not even close to what the story is about. If you are looking for a scary ghost story to read at night I would read this one, it will keep you up at night. The story is about how to kids Diana and Georgie live on a farm. The woman who used to live on the farm lived in a mansion. Her name was Miss Willis. She died in the parlor 10 years ago. But something very bad happens. If I were you I would go check this book out. I look forward to reading more of her books.
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I LOVE IT SO MUCH
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Diana and her little brother Georgie live in the woods behind The Old Willis Place. It seems like they have been living there for some time but there are a strict set of rules in place that won't allow them to leave or give any hints to anyone that they are there. When a single father moves in with his young daughter, Lissa, in the small home on the grounds as the new caretaker, Diana becomes tempted to show herself to Lissa. However, doing so may open up them all to some deadly consequences. Diana is in need of a friend but she will but she, Georgie and Lissa will soon realize think this was a huge mistake.
When I first read the description of this book on Thrift Books, I thought this sounds really good and I love an awesome ghost story. Then I got it in the mail and opened it. I thought oh wow, this is a book for someone who is about 10-15. Yes, yes I know what you are thinking. Carrie, or at my age some may call me Karen, didn't you check what category this is in? I did, but even being a middle aged woman, oh who am I kidding a little older than a middle aged woman, I love YA novels. I think it's the inner teenager in me trying to catch up on the books she didn't read in her younger years. But I was pleasantly surprised to see this quickly caught my attention and had me immersed till the end of the book. It's very short and easy to read (I'm making up for lost time on my yearly challenge).. I think you as well will be pleasantly surprised to see this is a very cute and tug at your heart strings kind of book, especially as a mother. Don't skip on this one.. it may seem a little childish but when reading it, you'll find out that some of the chapters get a little deep to be a YA novel. -
The story is about two children, Diana and Georgie, and must live by "The Rules Their Mind gave them."
The story begins with Diana and Georgie watching the new caretaker for Oak Hill Manor, which is rumored to be haunted. They nickname the new caretaker Heron man because of his pale complexion and his long, skinny figure. Heron man has a daughter, Lissa, whom Diana would love to make friends with, although it would mean breaking "The Rules." They take Lissa's bike out for a ride at midnight. Georgie crashes it, so they throw it into the creek to hide it from Lissa. The next day, Lissa and her dad search for it, and contact the police about Lissa's stolen bike. Lissa also keeps her first diary of her life and talks about the move in and how the past two days have gone. In this chapter, they reveal Heron man's real name is Mr. Morrison. The police say the bike was probably stolen by some teenagers. Diana reveals to Lissa that she is there. The two become friends, and Lissa promises to not break any of Diana's rules. They see each other daily, although Georgie hates Diana for breaking the rules.
Lissa goes into the haunted Willis place and discovers Miss Lilian's ghost in the parlor. Diana reveals that she and Georgie are ghosts because Miss Lilian locked them in cellar and they died when Miss Lilian went to the hospital to recover from a stroke. Diana makes Lissa tell the police to bury the bodies at Mount Holly, alone with their parents. The next night, Miss Lilian apologized and the children ghosts left Oak Hill Manor. Lissa and her father moved away, but the girls never forgot each other.
The characters are Diana, Georgie, Lissa, Lissa's dad, and Miss Lillian. Diana is one of the people who Miss Lillian trapped in the cellar and throughout the book she tries to make friend with Lissa. Georgie is Diana's younger brother; throughout most of the book, he thinks she is a traitor. Lissa moved to the forest with her dad. Lissa's father doesn't play a large role in the book. Miss Lillian was the owner of the Willis; she was a mean and selfish person who trapped Georgie and Diana in the basement. At the end, the children forgave her and went with Diana, Georgie and their parents.
I really liked this book. But, one thing I didn't like was how they kept us in suspense with 'the bad thing' until near the end. -
Why have I never read this author before!!? Wow! This lady has been writing since 1979 and let me tell you....this is just the start of her works for me! Yes, I LOVED this ghost story, of two siblings who live alone in the woods. READ it!
You can check out my video review of this book here, on my Youtube Channel AreYouIntoHorror :
https://youtu.be/dWLnxck630s
So, now this author is supposed to be a kids books writer.....now I am farthest from a kid that I could possibly be, and I LOVED LOVED this book so much that it made me cry at the same time as giving me the willies! Yes, 12 year old Diana and her 8 year old little brother Georgie live in the woods behind the 'Old Willis Place' otherwise known as Oak Hill Manor....and let's say they are very poor and unfortunate when it comes to having anything, including friends. Yes, they are not allowed to have any friends, or to talk to anyone....those are 'The rules!' says Georgie. So when spoiled and well off Lissa and her father move into the mansion to be the newest caretakers......their lives will change for all 3 of them. What starts out as a narrative told by both Diana and Lissa becomes a ghost story that will have you turning the pages as fast as you can. Now, i had listened to this audiobook on Scribd and loved it so much, that I have ordered it another 7 of her books to have on my shelf. Hahn's writing is a breath of 'ghostly fresh air' as fresh as that can be! But no joke, this book ripped me to tears. It is a marvelous and wonderful ghost story and at the same time a story of friendship, loss, and the bond of childhood as seen in a way you are not soon to forget. Get ready to venture into 'The Old Willis Place' you will be glad you did. I loved it!
4.5 👻👻👻👻 -
IT IS SUPER GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love it sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much! -
This novel wasn’t as creepy as the last Mary Downing Hahn novel that I read but I liked this story more. This story seemed to have more elements to it. I did think that the ending of the story wrapped up a bit too fast for me but for the target audience, they will love it.
Diana and her brother Georgie have been roaming the hillside of the Old Willis Place (Oak Hill Manor) for years. They have a list of rules that they must follow. Over the years, there have been numerous caretakers of the property which the two have had the pleasure of entertaining. When the current caretaker moves in with his daughter, Lissa and their dog MacDuff, Diana wants so badly to be her friend since they are about the same age but to do so, Diana would be breaking a rule. It has been so long since Diana has had a friend.
Georgie is content on their way of life on the hill but Diana longs to have a friend and the more she spies on Lissa, the more she wants to be her friend. Georgie and Diana are also worried about Lissa as she wanders around the grounds, surrounding the crumbling mansion. The doors have been shut on the mansion for years, the interior safe and secure, the outside has been watched by caretakers so vandals can’t work their way inside. But now, there is Lissa and she poses a threat to the calm dwelling.
I enjoyed this ghost story. It wasn’t just a haunting, there was a great story behind it and in the end, there was closure. -
This book was really good! It was a very interesting story and was surprising in the end. I really enjoyed this book. If you like creepy, mysterious stories, then this is the book for you.
This book is about a girl named Diana and her brother named Georgie. They live on a farm called oak hill manor. Them and their parents used to live there together, but then "the bad thing happened" which I'm not gonna tell you what "the bad thing" is. The caretakers that come, Lissa and her father, become Diana's friends even though it's against the rules to have friends.
Miss Lillian, the former owner of oak hill manor, died in her house and her ghost is still in her house. When Lissa and Diana go into the house, they set her spirit free accidentally and Diana and Georgie worry that she will come after them again.
This is a very thrilling and spooky story that you won't be able to put down. It's a quick and easy read and is definitely enjoyable. -
2020
A very good middle grade story with spooky elements. I love Georgie and Diana! Georgie is a complete little wild thing, while Diana is a bit more of a grown up (although she is in the habit of making some bad choices, which include breaking the rules). To give Diana some credit, though, she was very, very lonely after so much time had passed. And she and Georgie would have never been able to see their parents again without her making the choices that she did.
The spooky element was beautifully weaved into the story. And I loved how Lissa never really suspected a thing. Although, the poor girl was scared silly after she entered the house against Diana's will. That was probably the point where the book really started to embrace the supernatural instead of just hinting at it.
I just loved it! -
Knowing I like YA books, my friend and local librarian recommended this book.
Diana and her brother live in a shed in the woods near the abandoned Old Willis Place. A former mansion, years ago, their parents were employees of the cruel owner.
Diana and her brother had a different life before "the terrible thing" happened. There were rules then and rules now. When a young woman and her father move to a trailer near the property, rules are broken with dramatic consequences.
The book was a light, easy read and might be a good Halloween book for teenagers. -
Den her bog er en lille perle der er blevet totalt overset. Jeg læste den danske oversættelse med titlen Spøgelsernes Hemmelighed, og den var simpelthen så god!
