Book Cover
Justification
I chose The girl in the locked room as my selection for a horror book that would be appropriate for older elementary school students. Mary Downing Hahn is a well known and very popular author within this genre. She has received over fifty child-selected state awards. Hahn has also won the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. The girl in the locked room is a recent publication of hers, and I thought this would be a good fit for this genre.
Evaluation
The first element of quality writing that is exemplified in the story is the mood that is created. Hahn does an excellent job of creating an ominous feeling when describing Oak Hill. “Even from a distance, I knew something bad had happened in that house. Maybe it was the crows perched in a line on the roof, maybe it was the utter desolation of the scene, but the word foreboding came to mind, along with haunted, misery, and sorrow. It was the perfect setting for a ghost story” (Hahn, 2018, p. 13). The scene described leaves us with a sense that something is lurking within Oak Hill. As the story progresses, our fears are confirmed that something horrible did in fact happen at the old house. Throughout the book a spooky mood is developed. The overall effect leaves the reader with a ghost story that is scary without being too scary for young readers. Hahn builds the suspense throughout the narrative, but in such a way that it is age appropriate.
Another element of great writing in The girl in the locked room is the character development. The girl in the locked room (Lily) and Jules characters are complex and engaging. We learn that Oak Hill is not the first place where Jules has experienced supernatural encounters. Her undesired ability to see the supernatural leaves us as readers intrigued. At each step in the story, her reluctant role as a ghost hunter is developed. We feel nervous for her as she embarks on her quest to help Lily and frustrated with her parents for not believing her when she shares parts of her experiences. Lily’s character is masterfully developed. Hahn hints at parts of her past throughout the story. At first she is known only as the girl, and as we learn more about her life, we learn with her that she is actually Lily Bennett, former resident at Oak Hill. The glimmers of her past that are shared throughout the story leave us curious for more and make us empathize with her plight.
Finally, the plot structure and pacing help to weave this story to entice readers to learn what really happened at Oak Hill. Throughout the narrative there are clues as to what happened to Lily to leave her locked in the room on the third floor. The pacing builds suspense for the reader. “Without looking at the third floor, I walked away quickly, but I couldn’t escape the sensation of being watched. The little girl was in that room. I was convinced of it. Was she afraid of me? Was I afraid of her? Should she be? Should I be?” (Hahn, 2018, p. 46). We are drawn in to what will happen with Lily and Jules. Will she remain locked in her room? Or can Jules help her finally reach a place of peace? The story arc crescendos as the plot unfolds. The pacing of the plot enriches the story and leaves the reader flipping for the next chapter.
Response
(A) While I was reading The girl in the locked room I could relate to Jules. While we did not move to a haunted house and encounter ghosts, we did move when I was 10 to Arizona. Growing up in rural upstate New York, I was unsure of what life in a big city like Phoenix would be like. Like Jules, I was new to the town and looking for a friend and a place to fit in. I had a little bit of culture shock moving away from our rural town in New York. Like Jules, over time I developed some great friendships that helped me to feel like I was a part of the community.
(D) Something that is addressed in the story is the power of friendship. At the beginning of the story, Jules and Lily are so lonely. They are desperate for a friend. Someone to spend time with and to talk to. Though Jules is alive and well, her feelings of loneliness mirror Lily’s. A true friend is a great asset. Both Lily and Jules find friendships over the course of the book. A good friend can change your outlook.
(F) I am not a person who loves horror or spooky stories. Upon reading the categories for the blog book selections, I was unsure of what to expect from a horror book for upper elementary school students. I was pleasantly surprised by Hahn’s novel. The book is well written and suspenseful without being too scary. The plot pacing and character development held my interest as I read. It is no wonder that Hahn is such a popular author among readers. She is able to write a spooky tale without loosing the elements of good writing.
Conclusion
Readers interested in horror and ghost stories will be drawn in to The girl in the locked room. Hahn builds suspense and leaves the reader wanting to know what will become of Jules and Lily. She crafts the story in such a way that upper elementary school students can read the story without being completely terrified. This book is well written and is sure to delight readers who like to read darker fiction.
APA Citation
Hahn, M. D. (2018). The girl in the locked room. New York: Clarion Books.
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