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A Ghost in the House
Sarah has only one person to turn to.
When Sarah's family moves into her Great Aunt Margaret's house, Sarah can't help feeling something is terribly wrong. She tries to believe she's just unhappy about having to spend so much time caring for her disagreeable invalid aunt. Yet she knows there is more. There's a chill in the air, which only Sarah seems to feel. There are unexplainable heavy footsteps in the upstairs hall. Lights go out, doors slam unexpectedly, and things move by themselves.
Sarah realizes that one other person in the house is just as scared. Aunt Margaret. Together, a sick old woman and a frightened young girl, they must figure out what evil spirit is trying to terrify them.
When Sarah's family moves into her Great Aunt Margaret's house, Sarah can't help feeling something is terribly wrong. She tries to believe she's just unhappy about having to spend so much time caring for her disagreeable invalid aunt. Yet she knows there is more. There's a chill in the air, which only Sarah seems to feel. There are unexplainable heavy footsteps in the upstairs hall. Lights go out, doors slam unexpectedly, and things move by themselves.
Sarah realizes that one other person in the house is just as scared. Aunt Margaret. Together, a sick old woman and a frightened young girl, they must figure out what evil spirit is trying to terrify them.
164 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
11 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
Betty Ren Wright
96 books293 followersBetty Ren Wright was an award-winning author of children's fiction including The Dollhouse Murders, The Ghosts Of Mercy Manor and A Ghost in The House.
Known for her ghost stories and mysteries, Wright published 28 children's novels between 1981 and 2006, as well as picture books and short stories. Prior to pursuing her career as a full-time author in 1978, she worked as an editor of children's books.
Wright lived in Wisconsin with her husband, painter George A. Fredericksen, until her death in 2013.
Known for her ghost stories and mysteries, Wright published 28 children's novels between 1981 and 2006, as well as picture books and short stories. Prior to pursuing her career as a full-time author in 1978, she worked as an editor of children's books.
Wright lived in Wisconsin with her husband, painter George A. Fredericksen, until her death in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
September 3, 2022
We have a family with two kids plus an ailing great-aunt. The real focus of the book is the relationship between the aunt the 13-year-old daughter. The relationship is strained at first, but as the two are the only ones to believe in the ghost (which appears about half-way through the book), they form an alliance.
There are some good spooky moments but nothing disturbing. The best lesson here is that if you need to get rid of incriminating evidence, don’t use your own garbage can. It’s a fun, quick book.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Mild; attempted harm by a ghost
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
There are some good spooky moments but nothing disturbing. The best lesson here is that if you need to get rid of incriminating evidence, don’t use your own garbage can. It’s a fun, quick book.
Language: Clean
Sexual Content: None
Violence: Mild; attempted harm by a ghost
Harm to Animals:
Harm to Children:
Other (Triggers):
October 22, 2018
Some stories do the paranormal such justice, that the target demographics do not affect our investment. At other times, wonderful authoresses like Betty Ren Wright weigh down the pleasure with youth baggage. If you pardon my language: the Mother in this story is an insensitive bitch! Comments are clear that if she were not present, ratings would be higher. Her decree that Sarah should not share her feelings or worries with her Father, was the last straw. If one parent is not understanding; one has a right to consult the other! That is the benefit of having a pair of human beings raise you!
Something else rankled. Raised in a struggling middle class, where every advantage my folks obtain is frustratingly sucked somewhere; I do not fault a non-educated Father for being ineligible for better jobs. However this young one keeps losing jobs. One cannot help asking: why doesn’t he obtain the single electronics diploma he is missing?! Sarah and her brother are in their first home where they have separate rooms; thanks to a disabled Aunt. They have to move if she can’t live with them but sharing the residence, means giving up Sarah’s endeared new bedroom. Excuse her, for expressing reasonable disappointment!
“A Ghost In The House”, 1991, is about destructive paranormal occurrences taking place around Aunt Margaret, when Sarah’s unhelpful parents are away. I like that her brother, Liam, is not a rival and wants to discuss Sarah’s experiences. They are so major, it is appalling that she and Margaret still do not expect those adults’ belief. It takes Margaret awhile to admit that a childhood tragedy is responsible. The suspense grows thrilling. For the second time in one of Betty’s novels, the chief pleasure is in forming a bond with a relative who is unexpectedly endearing.
Something else rankled. Raised in a struggling middle class, where every advantage my folks obtain is frustratingly sucked somewhere; I do not fault a non-educated Father for being ineligible for better jobs. However this young one keeps losing jobs. One cannot help asking: why doesn’t he obtain the single electronics diploma he is missing?! Sarah and her brother are in their first home where they have separate rooms; thanks to a disabled Aunt. They have to move if she can’t live with them but sharing the residence, means giving up Sarah’s endeared new bedroom. Excuse her, for expressing reasonable disappointment!
“A Ghost In The House”, 1991, is about destructive paranormal occurrences taking place around Aunt Margaret, when Sarah’s unhelpful parents are away. I like that her brother, Liam, is not a rival and wants to discuss Sarah’s experiences. They are so major, it is appalling that she and Margaret still do not expect those adults’ belief. It takes Margaret awhile to admit that a childhood tragedy is responsible. The suspense grows thrilling. For the second time in one of Betty’s novels, the chief pleasure is in forming a bond with a relative who is unexpectedly endearing.
November 12, 2015
This book reminds of me why I started reading books by Betty Ren Wright in the first place. The spooky stuff is enough to become more than a little tense as I'm reading. The build-up comes to a terrifying climax where you wonder if anyone is going to get out alive. This is the kind of ghost story I lusted after as a child. It was nice to end out my stack from this author with one of her better books. Haunted house, complicated family relationships, a lot of good honest emotion, and a main character that while sometimes was a bit too whiny, comes off as authentic as the mystery deepens. Just a good book overall. :)
February 12, 2010
This book was good because i rated it 5 stares. It was good because the girl named Sarh had to give up her room for her aunt Margret and then aunt Marget sent in a ghost when she came to live there. It was a bad ghost that had all this stuff against her. Then sarh told the ghost to leave and he did then he came back and started a fire thats how his daughter died and then the ghost went away forever. Then the lived.
May 22, 2022
First off, I am kinda biased because I LOVE Betty Red Wright! I've never read a book I didn't love from her 🥺This one also did not disappoint.
Sarah and her family have moved into her Great Aunt Margaret's old home, and things couldn't be more peachy keen...until Great Aunt Margaret moves back into her old house from the retirement home, and reclaims her old bedroom...the same one that Sarah had claimed as her own. Annoying!
GAM is just an insufferable, cantankerous old lady who refuses homemade pancakes because they give her gas. OH and her gnarled, arthritic fingers are mentioned often which sound horrible and gnarly. Sarah is rightly a little resentful of this "invalid old lady" until the weird shit starts to go down. Disembodied voices singing in the hallway...stuff being inexplicably moved or broken before their eyes...and my absolute favorite, poor GAM in her wheelchair being zoomed around the room at top speed as she wails and screams 🤣🤣😱😱
The ghostly shit doesn't actually happen when anyone else is around, only when Sarah and GAM are alone in the house together, making them unwitting allies who are forced to team up and figure out what the hell is going on...and of course in the process, Sarah comes to realize GAM isn't so awful after all. ❤️
A really enjoyable read, and Betty Ren Wright always delivers on the ghosties....she never psychs out her readers with some dumb gag (like, surprise, the "ghost" is actually some embittered dude from the past, gotcha!) and she never panders to her readers either. I've mentioned before, but in the realm of kids vs. adults, Betty Red Wright is clearly Team Kid, RIDE OR DIE. Her fondness and heartfelt warmth for young adults is so palpable in all her books.
4 out of 5 haunting melodies, creaky footsteps, and evil laughs emanating from upstairs and GAM is just as freaked out as you are. Together you gotta solve the mystery together, and get rid of the ghosties. Don't worry...you'll come out on the other side with a newfound appreciation and love for your GAM after all the zaniness that you endure together. ❤️❤️
Sarah and her family have moved into her Great Aunt Margaret's old home, and things couldn't be more peachy keen...until Great Aunt Margaret moves back into her old house from the retirement home, and reclaims her old bedroom...the same one that Sarah had claimed as her own. Annoying!
GAM is just an insufferable, cantankerous old lady who refuses homemade pancakes because they give her gas. OH and her gnarled, arthritic fingers are mentioned often which sound horrible and gnarly. Sarah is rightly a little resentful of this "invalid old lady" until the weird shit starts to go down. Disembodied voices singing in the hallway...stuff being inexplicably moved or broken before their eyes...and my absolute favorite, poor GAM in her wheelchair being zoomed around the room at top speed as she wails and screams 🤣🤣😱😱
The ghostly shit doesn't actually happen when anyone else is around, only when Sarah and GAM are alone in the house together, making them unwitting allies who are forced to team up and figure out what the hell is going on...and of course in the process, Sarah comes to realize GAM isn't so awful after all. ❤️
A really enjoyable read, and Betty Ren Wright always delivers on the ghosties....she never psychs out her readers with some dumb gag (like, surprise, the "ghost" is actually some embittered dude from the past, gotcha!) and she never panders to her readers either. I've mentioned before, but in the realm of kids vs. adults, Betty Red Wright is clearly Team Kid, RIDE OR DIE. Her fondness and heartfelt warmth for young adults is so palpable in all her books.
4 out of 5 haunting melodies, creaky footsteps, and evil laughs emanating from upstairs and GAM is just as freaked out as you are. Together you gotta solve the mystery together, and get rid of the ghosties. Don't worry...you'll come out on the other side with a newfound appreciation and love for your GAM after all the zaniness that you endure together. ❤️❤️
June 4, 2022
I was hesitating about reading this book not because it was scary story but how short and it looked like a middle grade book, but surprisingly I enjoyed it. Sarah and her family moved from a cramped apartment to a big old house which belonged to her great aunt Margaret. When Sarah's family leaves the house and it's just Sarah and her great aunt alone strange things happen; strange noises, rooms going cold, things go missing or break without a logical reason. But throughout the story it unfolds, the paranormal activity in the house and the story the great aunt has kept from the family for all those years. It was an easy, quick read, some parts where interesting and some parts were a bit repeative. I'll be looking forward to reading more fron Betty Ren Wright. 3.5-4 stars.
June 18, 2008
I read a lot of Betty Ren Wright's books growing up (yes, I liked scary stories) and although I loved the stories, one thing I really didn't like about her books was how mean the adults always were. Not mean, but just so... wrapped up in themselves that they refuse to listen to the kids. In this book, the mother of the main character would rather believe that her daughter is lying and playing mean tricks on a sick old woman than even try to listen to any explanation that may involve the supernatural. I used to wonder if I would be the same if one of my sons ever told me he saw a ghost. I still don't know. Anyways, this book was enjoyable enough, I guess.
December 5, 2025
sickeningly unimpressive, character bonding so sweet it makes your teeth ache, a nonsensically vengeful ghost, and parents who don't know how to parent and would rather call you a royal nut than check where the mysterious knocking is coming from.
give me ten more of them.
give me ten more of them.
April 19, 2023
I did not care for this book, as much as I have of other Betty Ren Wright's books.
March 10, 2021
Revisiting a childhood favorite was very comforting!
February 24, 2017
Engaging mystery by Betty Ren Wright. Sarah's Aunt Margaret moves in with her family and steals her bedroom and then scary things start to happen and no one believes Sarah. Starts out with small things where you aren't sure if it's a ghost or not and then huge episodes of hauntings! The scary descriptions are just perfect for kids, not too scary but, just enough.
October 21, 2015
This story is as scary as Wright's Christina's Ghost. I enjoyed seeing Sarah's character grow and become more thoughtful towards her family. I enjoyed her relationship with Aunt Margaret.
Wright does suspense well. I shouldn't have read this after dark.
Wright does suspense well. I shouldn't have read this after dark.
January 16, 2009
It's a chiller!!!!
-WARNING: Do not read at night, unless you're on a really good part...
-WARNING: Do not read at night, unless you're on a really good part...
January 28, 2021
I’ve noticed a pattern with her books where the heroines are really bratty and immature and unlikable. I thought they would all be so good because I loved The Ghost Comes Calling as a kid, but they’re really not. I saved this one to read for Halloween but I wasn’t into it as soon as I started reading.
Her friend has the dumb name of Lutie which I hated, and she was over while Sarah was thinking of replacing her ancestor’s childhood portrait. Lutie didn’t understand why and told Sarah that if she did, to give it to her so she could put it up in her house and pretend it was her ancestor. That was so weird. Who does that?
Sarah was such a brat the way she acted about her dad being fired. He was obviously upset and all she could think about was herself and having to move again. She pointed out that no one wanted someone without a college degree and didn’t know how he’d get a better job. She told them they couldn’t make her move. She said she’d call her friend to tell her the bad news and I was so glad that her mom told her to stop playing the martyr because she isn’t the only one affected.
Her mom shared the good news that Aunt Margaret could come home and Sarah didn’t know why they were talking about her because their house was what was important. Then she asked if Aunt Margaret would pay to stay there...in her house...with her family. They are paying her to stay in her house. Why the heck would she turn around and pay them to live in her own home? I was trying not to use a stronger word than brat.
It irritated me to no end and made me dislike her even more when she was only happy about Aunt Margaret coming when her mom said she probably wouldn’t make them pay rent. She wanted her to come immediately and only cared about staying in the house.
I hated her when she told Lutie that her room was what Aunt Margaret wanted “and what she wants she gets.” Her mom told Margaret about living with them and all she could talk about was Sarah’s room and she never asked who was using it now. You little bitch. There. I said it. I couldn’t hold back any longer. How dare you talk shit about your elderly aunt who was in a nursing home and just got well enough to come home? Lutie said she sounded awful, like a mean old witch. Yeah, she’s really mean wanting her old room back in the HOUSE SHE OWNED.
She was scornful of her brother Lloyd being excited for her arrival and then when Margaret couldn’t unbutton her jacket, Sarah she’s like a little kid who can’t help herself at all. Bitch! To judge an elderly person so harshly who’s lost control of their body is disgraceful.
It was funny when her mom told her to make pancakes but Margaret said none for her because they give her gas and her mom said she could have soup instead and Sarah thought “if it didn’t give her gas.” And then Gabe, the dog, started growling at something upstairs and afterward he laid down and went to sleep. Her mom said he gets everyone else upset and then goes to sleep.
Margaret’s figurine had fallen off the dresser and broke and Lutie, her mom, and Margaret thought Sarah had dropped it on purpose. Sarah started hearing tapping sounds and footsteps and her mom actually thought she was trying to scare Margaret out of the house because she didn’t want her there. She warned Sarah against scaring Margaret because then they’d all have to leave. Just more annoyance with the parents and Sarah.
Margaret’s bell went missing and her mom thought she took it. Sarah looked everywhere in the room, with Margaret rudely saying her mom had already checked there and it wasn’t there then and wouldn’t be now. She found it on the mantle behind a picture and Margaret was scared and clearly suspected something supernatural.
It annoyed me that Sarah kept going on about the concert but she would never ask her parents. She knew they were having money trouble with her dad’s firing and that was money was tight and they’d probably say no, but it aggravated me that she kept putting off the inevitable. Then she finally asked and of course the answer was no. Food, gas, fuel, etc, were all more important than a concert.
Then Sarah asked if she could have them over for a sleepover after, a good idea that she could see her friends at least for something that day. Her mom said no, because they’d keep Margaret up and she needs her sleep. Sarah was upset that she couldn’t ever have sleepovers because of Margaret. First she lost her room and now she could never have her friends over. Her mom was so mean and uncaring the way she said one tantrum a day was enough. I understood Sarah’s feelings and sided with her. Her mom was being so unfeeling.
The painting of the forest that Sarah was going to put up kept changing and becoming darker. Wright’s hauntings are usually weird and unrealistic, and this was no exception. Paintings changing color and appearance are just too out there.
Sarah was alone with Margaret again and they both heard singing and Margaret was afraid. It annoyed me that Margaret thought it was one of her friends singing and Sarah suggested it was someone’s radio and they both pretended to believe it. So drawn out! Just talk about it and be done with it.
Margaret asked her to stay until she fell asleep and Sarah felt protective and didn’t want her to hear it again. It was refreshing that she was finally being nice to Margaret.
Of course her mom not only didn’t believe her story, she got upset that Sarah was making it up and trying to scare Margaret. It was annoying though that Margaret tried to convince herself it had been a radio. Everyone just quit lying!
When Lutie came over, Margaret’s door was slammed close. Margaret tried to convince herself someone had left a window open and she went on about not knowing why someone would do that. I was irritated. Her pain pills had been put in the mantle in a vase. Margaret didn’t want Sarah to say anything to her mom because Margaret would be seen as crazy and losing her mind.
They were alone again and playing checkers and the electricity went out. Sarah left to get the oil lamp and said she’d knocked into the painting and Margaret wanted to see it. She made a comment that it was all her fault and that she’d have to leave. There was a figure in the scene now.
Her parents demanded to know why Margaret suddenly wanted to leave and her mom basically blamed her. She thought Sarah imagined it and was nervous being alone and upset Margaret with all of it.
The next time they were alone, things went crazy. A magazine opened, the glass slid across the table and almost fell but Sarah caught it, the blinds snapped up. There was a tapping and when Margaret asked to see the painting, the man had more details. Red hair, a smile, a beard. Margaret’s wheelchair started rolling around and was pushed to the edge of the chair. Sarah started to fall down the stairs and the only thing that prevented Margaret from going down too was Lloyd coming home.
Margaret didn’t even start telling her story until pg. 126. And she said she had looked like Sarah when she was a girl. Sarah wanted to say she isn’t a child and she didn’t feel like listening to a story either. Back to being a brat, great. Don’t you want to know why all this is happening?? Haven’t you been irritated that Margaret kept pretending nothing was going on? And you are a kid, so get over yourself. Idk how old she is because the author never said.
The story was bad. She had a friend whose dad was an alcoholic and whose mom died. The friend would stay over but when her dad wanted her to live there permanently, Margaret didn’t want her to because she was spoiled. So her dad sent Annie to live elsewhere and she died in a fire. Annie wasn’t vengeful but her dad was the dangerous spirit trying to harm them. He was a painter and he’s the one showing up in the painting. It’s the one Margaret’s parents bought from him.
Sarah told Margaret her idea to remove the painting from the house to get rid of his spirit but Margaret wasn’t willing to take that chance. She said she loves them and they could be in danger. Miraculously Sarah said she loved her too and doesn’t want her to go and hugged her.
They were talking about the whole family being home the next day and Sarah thought “We’re like spies speaking in code.”
The whole family started out at home but then everyone else had to leave. Her dad had brought the painting back inside, saying it didn’t matter if the two of them didn’t like it; he did. Doesn’t he remember how upset Margaret got about the painting?? They kept thinking of ways to get the family to stay but no one would and I’m like why didn’t you have Margaret stay downstairs?? Things started moving as usual and the bed moved and Annie’s dad appeared in the chair and started rolling logs out onto the floor to start a fire. Annie appeared and stood up to him and he left. She told Sarah to tell Margaret that she loves her and she shouldn’t be sorry. I hated that Margaret had passed out and missed the whole thing. After everything she suffered she deserved to see her friend.
She was going to cover it up and say the log rolled out and Sarah is a responsible young woman and put it out. She asked if Sarah wanted her room back and she realized she really didn’t, some character growth. She asked if her mom minded taking care of her and Sarah said her mom enjoys it. They had a nice bonding moment of watching the rock band on TV. Margaret remained a fussy, rude woman up until the very end which bothered me, closing her eyes to dispel further conversation. She was too mean and Sarah was too bratty for too long.
Her friend has the dumb name of Lutie which I hated, and she was over while Sarah was thinking of replacing her ancestor’s childhood portrait. Lutie didn’t understand why and told Sarah that if she did, to give it to her so she could put it up in her house and pretend it was her ancestor. That was so weird. Who does that?
Sarah was such a brat the way she acted about her dad being fired. He was obviously upset and all she could think about was herself and having to move again. She pointed out that no one wanted someone without a college degree and didn’t know how he’d get a better job. She told them they couldn’t make her move. She said she’d call her friend to tell her the bad news and I was so glad that her mom told her to stop playing the martyr because she isn’t the only one affected.
Her mom shared the good news that Aunt Margaret could come home and Sarah didn’t know why they were talking about her because their house was what was important. Then she asked if Aunt Margaret would pay to stay there...in her house...with her family. They are paying her to stay in her house. Why the heck would she turn around and pay them to live in her own home? I was trying not to use a stronger word than brat.
It irritated me to no end and made me dislike her even more when she was only happy about Aunt Margaret coming when her mom said she probably wouldn’t make them pay rent. She wanted her to come immediately and only cared about staying in the house.
I hated her when she told Lutie that her room was what Aunt Margaret wanted “and what she wants she gets.” Her mom told Margaret about living with them and all she could talk about was Sarah’s room and she never asked who was using it now. You little bitch. There. I said it. I couldn’t hold back any longer. How dare you talk shit about your elderly aunt who was in a nursing home and just got well enough to come home? Lutie said she sounded awful, like a mean old witch. Yeah, she’s really mean wanting her old room back in the HOUSE SHE OWNED.
She was scornful of her brother Lloyd being excited for her arrival and then when Margaret couldn’t unbutton her jacket, Sarah she’s like a little kid who can’t help herself at all. Bitch! To judge an elderly person so harshly who’s lost control of their body is disgraceful.
It was funny when her mom told her to make pancakes but Margaret said none for her because they give her gas and her mom said she could have soup instead and Sarah thought “if it didn’t give her gas.” And then Gabe, the dog, started growling at something upstairs and afterward he laid down and went to sleep. Her mom said he gets everyone else upset and then goes to sleep.
Margaret’s figurine had fallen off the dresser and broke and Lutie, her mom, and Margaret thought Sarah had dropped it on purpose. Sarah started hearing tapping sounds and footsteps and her mom actually thought she was trying to scare Margaret out of the house because she didn’t want her there. She warned Sarah against scaring Margaret because then they’d all have to leave. Just more annoyance with the parents and Sarah.
Margaret’s bell went missing and her mom thought she took it. Sarah looked everywhere in the room, with Margaret rudely saying her mom had already checked there and it wasn’t there then and wouldn’t be now. She found it on the mantle behind a picture and Margaret was scared and clearly suspected something supernatural.
It annoyed me that Sarah kept going on about the concert but she would never ask her parents. She knew they were having money trouble with her dad’s firing and that was money was tight and they’d probably say no, but it aggravated me that she kept putting off the inevitable. Then she finally asked and of course the answer was no. Food, gas, fuel, etc, were all more important than a concert.
Then Sarah asked if she could have them over for a sleepover after, a good idea that she could see her friends at least for something that day. Her mom said no, because they’d keep Margaret up and she needs her sleep. Sarah was upset that she couldn’t ever have sleepovers because of Margaret. First she lost her room and now she could never have her friends over. Her mom was so mean and uncaring the way she said one tantrum a day was enough. I understood Sarah’s feelings and sided with her. Her mom was being so unfeeling.
The painting of the forest that Sarah was going to put up kept changing and becoming darker. Wright’s hauntings are usually weird and unrealistic, and this was no exception. Paintings changing color and appearance are just too out there.
Sarah was alone with Margaret again and they both heard singing and Margaret was afraid. It annoyed me that Margaret thought it was one of her friends singing and Sarah suggested it was someone’s radio and they both pretended to believe it. So drawn out! Just talk about it and be done with it.
Margaret asked her to stay until she fell asleep and Sarah felt protective and didn’t want her to hear it again. It was refreshing that she was finally being nice to Margaret.
Of course her mom not only didn’t believe her story, she got upset that Sarah was making it up and trying to scare Margaret. It was annoying though that Margaret tried to convince herself it had been a radio. Everyone just quit lying!
When Lutie came over, Margaret’s door was slammed close. Margaret tried to convince herself someone had left a window open and she went on about not knowing why someone would do that. I was irritated. Her pain pills had been put in the mantle in a vase. Margaret didn’t want Sarah to say anything to her mom because Margaret would be seen as crazy and losing her mind.
They were alone again and playing checkers and the electricity went out. Sarah left to get the oil lamp and said she’d knocked into the painting and Margaret wanted to see it. She made a comment that it was all her fault and that she’d have to leave. There was a figure in the scene now.
Her parents demanded to know why Margaret suddenly wanted to leave and her mom basically blamed her. She thought Sarah imagined it and was nervous being alone and upset Margaret with all of it.
The next time they were alone, things went crazy. A magazine opened, the glass slid across the table and almost fell but Sarah caught it, the blinds snapped up. There was a tapping and when Margaret asked to see the painting, the man had more details. Red hair, a smile, a beard. Margaret’s wheelchair started rolling around and was pushed to the edge of the chair. Sarah started to fall down the stairs and the only thing that prevented Margaret from going down too was Lloyd coming home.
Margaret didn’t even start telling her story until pg. 126. And she said she had looked like Sarah when she was a girl. Sarah wanted to say she isn’t a child and she didn’t feel like listening to a story either. Back to being a brat, great. Don’t you want to know why all this is happening?? Haven’t you been irritated that Margaret kept pretending nothing was going on? And you are a kid, so get over yourself. Idk how old she is because the author never said.
The story was bad. She had a friend whose dad was an alcoholic and whose mom died. The friend would stay over but when her dad wanted her to live there permanently, Margaret didn’t want her to because she was spoiled. So her dad sent Annie to live elsewhere and she died in a fire. Annie wasn’t vengeful but her dad was the dangerous spirit trying to harm them. He was a painter and he’s the one showing up in the painting. It’s the one Margaret’s parents bought from him.
Sarah told Margaret her idea to remove the painting from the house to get rid of his spirit but Margaret wasn’t willing to take that chance. She said she loves them and they could be in danger. Miraculously Sarah said she loved her too and doesn’t want her to go and hugged her.
They were talking about the whole family being home the next day and Sarah thought “We’re like spies speaking in code.”
The whole family started out at home but then everyone else had to leave. Her dad had brought the painting back inside, saying it didn’t matter if the two of them didn’t like it; he did. Doesn’t he remember how upset Margaret got about the painting?? They kept thinking of ways to get the family to stay but no one would and I’m like why didn’t you have Margaret stay downstairs?? Things started moving as usual and the bed moved and Annie’s dad appeared in the chair and started rolling logs out onto the floor to start a fire. Annie appeared and stood up to him and he left. She told Sarah to tell Margaret that she loves her and she shouldn’t be sorry. I hated that Margaret had passed out and missed the whole thing. After everything she suffered she deserved to see her friend.
She was going to cover it up and say the log rolled out and Sarah is a responsible young woman and put it out. She asked if Sarah wanted her room back and she realized she really didn’t, some character growth. She asked if her mom minded taking care of her and Sarah said her mom enjoys it. They had a nice bonding moment of watching the rock band on TV. Margaret remained a fussy, rude woman up until the very end which bothered me, closing her eyes to dispel further conversation. She was too mean and Sarah was too bratty for too long.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2019
This is only rated as highly as it is because if I'm being perfectly honest, the kidlit ghost stories / YA pulp horror (like Fear Street) genre is like popcorn for me. It's not actually that great and I probably shouldn't eat/read it, but if I'm in the right atmosphere, I'll keep shoveling it into my face whether I really want it or not. And even if I don't really enjoy the experience, I'll still enjoy the experience. It's 100% guilty pleasure reading, and even if these books don't completely meet my standards, I still really enjoy them. It's weird.
Fair warning: The bulk of this review isn't so much a review of A Ghost in the House as it is a rant about a particular trope found within the novel that is found within damn near all of the similar novels I have read from this era. Said rant is cordoned off behind a spoiler tag for any readers who (rightfully) choose to ignore it.
/end rant
Anyway, about the actual book... the ghost story of A Ghost in the House is mostly just a spooky backdrop for the real crux of the story, which is the protagonist's journey to cross-generational reconciliation/understanding/friendship with her invalid elderly relative. There was a great opportunity for a darker ending that Wright (perhaps unintentionally) set up but didn't deliver, but the climax/ending that Wright did deliver was a satisfying enough conclusion. I've no real complaints on that front, so if you're a fan of children's ghost stories, this is a decent enough instance of the genre.
If nothing else, it definitely scratched that "spooky children's pulp" itch for me.
Fair warning: The bulk of this review isn't so much a review of A Ghost in the House as it is a rant about a particular trope found within the novel that is found within damn near all of the similar novels I have read from this era. Said rant is cordoned off behind a spoiler tag for any readers who (rightfully) choose to ignore it.
/end rant
Anyway, about the actual book... the ghost story of A Ghost in the House is mostly just a spooky backdrop for the real crux of the story, which is the protagonist's journey to cross-generational reconciliation/understanding/friendship with her invalid elderly relative. There was a great opportunity for a darker ending that Wright (perhaps unintentionally) set up but didn't deliver, but the climax/ending that Wright did deliver was a satisfying enough conclusion. I've no real complaints on that front, so if you're a fan of children's ghost stories, this is a decent enough instance of the genre.
If nothing else, it definitely scratched that "spooky children's pulp" itch for me.
November 10, 2025
i started this book with little to no expectation but what I realized impressed me so much I had to give a 5 star, which was pretty rare on my accord. From the title of the book, it may sound like a Goosebumps clone but trust me it had such a distinct style.
The author did not write this book with the same wacky, over-the-top plot like how other books seemed to me. It was matured in a sense, and outright creepy if I may say for the appetite even for brave children reading this. Like plenty of books, there would always be characters that would annoy you throughout and here the most unlikely character was Mrs Prescott who were truly stubborn and ignorant of the strange elements going on, not wanting to believe about a haunted house. While it does make some sense why one would think that way, but the author made readers dislike her all the same.
I love the relationship building between Sarah and grumpy aunt. It started off with a bad chemistry gradually turn into a closest relationship out of the unlikely thing in common, stumble upon the jittery experience in a haunted home. Sarah had the typical teenage needs but it was never near the level of deliquent which made her so likeable throughout the book. I was really impressed how the author managed to condense so much into a small book without making it feel rushed.
I bought it for a dime as a used book, but I did not realized what a treasure of a story I received from this. More of Betty Ren Wright books after this!
The author did not write this book with the same wacky, over-the-top plot like how other books seemed to me. It was matured in a sense, and outright creepy if I may say for the appetite even for brave children reading this. Like plenty of books, there would always be characters that would annoy you throughout and here the most unlikely character was Mrs Prescott who were truly stubborn and ignorant of the strange elements going on, not wanting to believe about a haunted house. While it does make some sense why one would think that way, but the author made readers dislike her all the same.
I love the relationship building between Sarah and grumpy aunt. It started off with a bad chemistry gradually turn into a closest relationship out of the unlikely thing in common, stumble upon the jittery experience in a haunted home. Sarah had the typical teenage needs but it was never near the level of deliquent which made her so likeable throughout the book. I was really impressed how the author managed to condense so much into a small book without making it feel rushed.
I bought it for a dime as a used book, but I did not realized what a treasure of a story I received from this. More of Betty Ren Wright books after this!
December 21, 2018
For being on the shelf for young adults, I found this book to very creepy. This book really did send shivers down my spine.
This is the first book that I have read from the author and after the first of the year when I have more time I will be checking out more from Betty Ren Wright.
The only disappointment I had with the story was Sarah's mother. She was not someone that Sarah could talk to about what was going on inside the house.
"When Sarah's family moves into her Great Aunt Margaret's house, Sarah can't help feeling something is terribly wrong. She tries to believe she's just unhappy about having to spend so much time caring for her disagreeable invalid aunt. Yet she knows there is more. There's a chill in the air, which only Sarah seems to feel. There are unexplainable heavy footsteps in the upstairs hall. Lights go out, doors slam unexpectedly, and things move by themselves."
"Sarah realizes that one other person in the house is just as scared. Aunt Margaret. Together, a sick old woman and a frightened young girl, they must figure out what evil spirit is trying to terrify them."
This is the first book that I have read from the author and after the first of the year when I have more time I will be checking out more from Betty Ren Wright.
The only disappointment I had with the story was Sarah's mother. She was not someone that Sarah could talk to about what was going on inside the house.
"When Sarah's family moves into her Great Aunt Margaret's house, Sarah can't help feeling something is terribly wrong. She tries to believe she's just unhappy about having to spend so much time caring for her disagreeable invalid aunt. Yet she knows there is more. There's a chill in the air, which only Sarah seems to feel. There are unexplainable heavy footsteps in the upstairs hall. Lights go out, doors slam unexpectedly, and things move by themselves."
"Sarah realizes that one other person in the house is just as scared. Aunt Margaret. Together, a sick old woman and a frightened young girl, they must figure out what evil spirit is trying to terrify them."
July 1, 2019
A young readers dream come true. I recently discovered this gem in paperback form on a shelf in a rental beach cottage in North Carolina. I sat in a rocking chair on the porch with the ocean breeze and devoured every word. I’ve discovered a new favorite author years after my childhood. My eleven-year-old self would have adored this book. My forty-three year old self loved every word.
November 24, 2024
Revisiting my childhood spooky books, yet I do not believe I ever read this one as a kid. Suitabily spooky, this one is definitely a bit dated by today, but I would have LOVED it as a kid. The MC is a middle school student named Sarah, and her interactions with her friends and family ring very true to life. Just a good little tale.
September 20, 2017
Ik heb het boek al een aantal keer gelezen en vind het elke keer opnieuw een geweldig boek. Het is een boek dat je in 1 keer uit wil/kan lezen. Het boek is spannend tot het einde en heeft een heel mooi verhaal.Zeker lezen dus!
November 24, 2022
Another excellent story from Wright involving ghosts, growth for the main character and family relationships. The mother’s disbelief and accusations and the daughter’s bad attitude, while annoying, lend realism to the characters as they face difficult problems.
July 27, 2023
forgot i’d already read this at some point. was fun to reread tho! i really like this story. ending seemed a little too “easy” (as in the climax is good but the resolution seemed too simple). either way i enjoyed this book & it’s an easy scary read!
December 5, 2017
I finally know what the ghost wants
October 7, 2018
The end fight felt really rushed.
March 3, 2020
Great book is long but really good it gets scary around the middle but not really until the ending.But it is a great book I hope try it and enjoy it
May 7, 2021
Sarah and her family move into a new home, but soon her ailing great aunt does too - and something supernatural has followed her in.
Enjoyable spookiness for the time it took to read.
Enjoyable spookiness for the time it took to read.
March 13, 2023
3.5 Bastante ligerito, un libro de miedo para niños pero algo intenso. La verdad una excelente recomendación para lectores que quieren una lectura rápida pero divertida
April 1, 2025
I honestly didn’t expect it to get so dark for a kids books. The writing was good and had a strong storyline.
December 12, 2025
This was so dumb.
I give kids books ALOT of leeway and this one STILL made me annoyed with how bad it was.
I give kids books ALOT of leeway and this one STILL made me annoyed with how bad it was.
August 20, 2017
me mantuvo en suspenso todo el tiempo aunque creo que el final pudo ser mejor.
Es super sencillo y rapido de leer
Es super sencillo y rapido de leer
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