The Ghost Comes Calling

by Betty Ren Wright

"S-someone's out there. . ."

When Jeannie told Chad that his father's new cabin was haunted, he didn't believe her. He thought she was just trying to scare him with her creepy stories about "Shaky Acres"--stories about the ghosts of an old man and his dog.

But when Chad and his family arrive at the cabin, he knows something isn't right. And when he sees the deathly face of the old man at his window and hears the chilling howl of a ghost dog, Chad realizes that Jeannie was telling the truth. Now he knows he has to do something to stop the hauntings--before it's too late. . .

Genres: Horror, Ghosts, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Childrens, Mystery

96 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1994

About the author

Betty 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.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute short story.

[Shane Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful ghost story that leaves you with a happy heart. Wright was so good at weaving creepy yet charming ghost stories. It's a short, fun read.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging little book, targeted at children and young adults, that flirts with the notion of haunting horror but settles for a basic moral lesson about the folly of jumping to conclusions and the possibility for redemption. It's not nearly as fun as a good Goosebumps book but as 80-page kiddie pseudo-horror goes, it isn't bad. (And it at least has a great cover)

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Wright’s ghost story books. They are satisfying in that the kids act like kids, dealing with anxiety and family and friendship issues, etc., and the ghosts act like the unquiet spirits they are traditionally thought to be. When the two come together, as in this one, they are creepy yet reach resolutions that improve the situations of both parties without overdoing it.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chad's father buys a cabin at the lake, which turns out to be haunted. Can Chad and Jeannie help the ghost find peace? I don't remember reading this one as a kid, though I read almost all her books. I really loved Chad's resolution to the mystery and ghost story.

[Kylie Abecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read that would have really got my heart ponding when I was younger.

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not really a surprise to me that most of the books over never read before are ghost stories but I actually somewhat enjoyed this one

[Jaymie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read. She writes good not too creepy ghost stories. I recommend it.

[Rachel#$$ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ghost Comes Calling
By Betty Ren Wright

In the story The Ghost Comes Calling is about a kid named Chad and his friend Jeannie. Jeannie believes in ghosts, but Chad doesn’t, until a camping trip. I like this book because it has a lot of suspense. Tim Tapper was an old man who lived in the cabin that Chad and his family are staying in. Jeannie is my favorite character because she is really energetic. I can relate to Chad because I would be scared too if there was a ghost. I really liked the book. My favorite part in the book is when they go to the lake and they find a truck and they go inside and then Jeannie says maybe the truck belongs to Tim Tapper and then the truck falls with Chad and they both run back to the cabin. I don’t like it when Chad and Jeannie get in a fight. If you like scary book I recommend this book to you. I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. If you like short chapter books then this is a good book for you to read.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as a kid and loved it. It was in the children's section of the public library and I LOVED ghost books so I snatched this up and loved every second of it. If you wrote about ghosts, you had me already. I don't remember much about the book, besides one scene where at the end they find the ghost's truck and it's moving through the town. I thought it was so interesting. If you're a young kid and you like stories with ghosts, this will be a good read. I read it again while I was a kid, and at 23 I went into the library's bookshop--having talked the lady into letting me in the back to hunt for my favorite books that the library got rid of--and couldn't believe my good fortune as I saw this book on the shelf. I also bought another of her books because she writes about ghosts mostly and is a good writer.

[Katt Hansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book for Halloween night! Having been at a cabin without electricity in the woods, I know just how dark and spooky it can be at night. That mood is captured perfectly in this book. Chad's father has bought the most run-down, haunted little vacation home imaginable and Chad is the only one to see the ghost who refuses to leave. A good solid ending with just enough spookiness to make you want to make sure that the windows are all covered up at night. A good book!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly interesting ghost story aimed at 8 - 10-year-olds. Chad's dad buys a log cabin on a lake and is so excited to spend every weekend there. Only, Chad discovers that the previous owner is still hanging around. Chad and his friend Jeannie must figure out how to soothe the hurt feelings of an angry ghost so they can enjoy the cabin in peace.

[Eden Silverfox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chad's father buys a cottage they can spend their weekends at. And Chad is pretty excited about it until he encounters a ghost at the cottage.

Not one of my favorites by this author, but still a enjoyable and quick read with a nice ending.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Personally I didn't like this book at all. I thought the plot was weak and it wasn't scary in the slightest. But I think that a younger kid might find it scary and it would be a good intro into scary stories for a young reader who enjoys it but isn't ready for super intense yet

[Megan]

I read this in a day when I was in grade school. Of the books by this author I found this one to be the most predictable and rather forgettable. Yes I even thought this at the age of 11

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to chill your bones. It's mostly a kid's book because it's only about 100 pages and easy to read, but a great mystery like Christina's Ghost.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Leaves you in suspense until the last couple of chapters. A great read to keep older children interested.

[Kenzie Ramsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a scary book don't read it at night

[Cherrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHEN I READ THAT BOOK I FELT IN LOVE, WITH IT. AT FIRST I THOUGH IT WAS
GOING TO BE BORING. BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A VERY GOOD BOOK!!!

[Rachael]

I love Betty when I was a kid.. These ghost stories where interesting reads!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute fast read.

[Alexis]

i liked the book

[Kasey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, creepy, and perfect for a qick read. Not one of BRW's best but still gives me the nostalgia of my childhood. Great story, characters, and setting.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

A 40 minute read about a boy and his father who buy an old shack in the woods.. which is haunted!

[A.D.T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book as a kid, but it damn near scared me to death. Pretty dark for a children's book. Not to mention that cover. Good Lord in heaven!

[Caleb Dean]

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