Review: Took: A Ghost Story by Mary Downing Hahn

Author: Mary Downing Hahn
Publisher: Clarion Books
Publication Date: September 2015

Thirteen-year-old Daniel Anderson doesn’t believe Brody Mason’s crazy stories about the ghost witch who lives up on Brewster’s Hill with Bloody Bones, her man-eating razorback hog. He figures Brody’s probably just trying to scare him since he’s the new kid . . . a “stuck-up snot” from Connecticut. But Daniel’s seven-year-old sister Erica has become more and more withdrawn, talking to her lookalike doll. When she disappears into the woods one day, he knows something is terribly wrong. Did the witch strike? Has Erica been “took”?

Took is a middle grade horror story that takes place in the back country of West Virginia.  Daniel and his family have relocated from affluent Connecticut to a run down farm house.    It's bad enough that there is a creepy legend of disappearing girls, the house is surrounded by dark woods where the girls have been said to disappear.  When his sister Erica goes missing, Daniel will do anything to get her back.

I thought this was a good middle grade horror.  I think this book would have creeped me out when I was 10 or 11. The atmosphere was spooky.  Auntie was scary and creepy. There is even a creepy doll.  I did like Daniel as a character.  This was a great coming of age story for Daniel.  When he loses his sister, he finally realizes family is important.  I liked that he showed bravery, yet admitted to fear as well.  I thought his relationship with his little sister was realistic and endearing.  I definitely recommend this one to middle grade readers.  It was a good time.

One for Sorrow by Mary Downing Hahn

Author: Mary Downing Hahn
Publisher: Clarion
Date of publication:

Against the ominous backdrop of the influenza epidemic of 1918, Annie, a new girl at school, is claimed as best friend by Elsie, a classmate who is a tattletale, a liar, and a thief. Soon Annie makes other friends and finds herself joining them in teasing and tormenting Elsie. Elsie dies from influenza, but then she returns to reclaim Annie's friendship and punish all the girls who bullied her. Young readers who revel in spooky stories will relish this chilling tale of a girl haunted by a vengeful ghost.

This was a random audio pick from my library.  I hadn't really read any middle grade books in a while, so I figured I'd give it a shot.  One for Sorrow takes place during the influenza epidemic of 1918.  The main character, Anna, has just started a new school.  Elsie is a girl who is extremely disliked and latches on to Anna saying they will be best friends forever.  The problem is that Elsie is not a very nice person and Anna wants to fit in with the popular crowd.

I have mixed feelings about this book.  I definitely thought is was a fairly creepy book, especially toward the second half of the book.  However, I had a hard time liking any of the characters.  Elsie is definitely an abused child who acts out because of it.  She is also bullied daily by the mean girls at the school.  Anna ends up falling in with the mean girl crowd and becomes just as horrible as the rest of them.  So, when Elsie dies because of the flu, one has to wonder if she is really haunting the girls, or are they just grappling with their own guilt over how they treated her.

The book is short and ultimately, an enjoyable read. It's well written and kept me engaged. However, I wonder at the age level at which this book is being marketed.  It's a pretty dark book and I think older YA readers might appreciate it more.  At any rate, it's worth a read.