The Girl in the Locked Room by Mary Downing Hahn
Reviewed by: Elizabeth Pidde, Communications Assistant
Genre: Fiction
Suggested Age: Juvenile (8-12 years)
What is the book about?: Jules is used to old houses because her father renovates them for a living, but something about her father’s newest project is a bit different. In this house, there is a ghost of a young girl who has been trapped ever since a tragedy took place many years ago. Jules is determined to discern the truth, free the girl’s spirit, and bring peace to her and her family.
My Review: I’m always excited to read the latest of Hahn’s books. As with several of her other newer titles, this book features changes in point of view at chapter breaks. Some chapters are from Jules’s point of view and others are from Lily’s – the resident ghost. This creates a less frightening story because the ghost is more of a regular character who just happens to be dead. It’s a twist that I think Hahn executes well, and I enjoyed the fact that there was more “ghost face time.” Another interesting aspect of the story is the way that Lily’s mind works as a ghost and how it affects her memory. The book also describes how ghosts “materialize” to be seen by living people. I enjoyed Hahn’s creative theories, and they helped to keep a fairly classic plot formula fresh and engaging. This book also features some thoughtful theories about time, the past, and the different possible futures that decisions can create. It’s a quick and easy read that isn’t too frightening for a younger reader, but it still contains enough substance for the children on the older end of the target audience.
Three Words That Describe This Book: Time, Tragedy, Friendship
Give This a Try if You Like…Time for Andrew by Mary Downing Hahn, The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Rating: 4/5
About FDL Reads
FDL Reads is a series of weekly book reviews from Fondulac District Library.