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Ginnie and Geneva #4
Ginnie and the Mystery House
Ginnie and her friends are terrified that the house where an old frightened woman lives alone is haunted.
191 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1957
About the author
Catherine Woolley
61 books30 followersA prolific writer of over eighty books, Catherine Woolley published so many children's books that her publisher recommended using a pen name for some of her works. Ms. Woolley's Ginnie Fellows series was and continues to be a reader favorite across generations.
Pen name: Jane Thayer.
Pen name: Jane Thayer.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 11, 2025
As a Ginnie and Geneva book - five stars!
As a mystery, well, haha, it’s not one of the best - four stars. But the characters are sure good, the snow storm they get caught in on the bus ride home, and the little old lady who has the mystery that they help, is all sweet and fun.
Another great read!
Ages: 8 - 14
Content Considerations: gosh, gee, golly and the like are said.
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As a mystery, well, haha, it’s not one of the best - four stars. But the characters are sure good, the snow storm they get caught in on the bus ride home, and the little old lady who has the mystery that they help, is all sweet and fun.
Another great read!
Ages: 8 - 14
Content Considerations: gosh, gee, golly and the like are said.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
I have an Instagram account that’s pretty bookishly unique too!
January 28, 2024
I didn’t like this story as much as the others. Maybe because I’m getting older. I felt for the old woman in this story. I feel like Ginny was too much. The story was trying too hard to make a mystery out of nothing more than a little old lady who needed to be taken care of and loved…..which she got in the end, so that’s good!
January 18, 2023
I wasn't really crazy about the mystery plot. It seemed kind of farfetched, and Ginnie and her friends overstepped the boundaries of politeness in their zeal. I did enjoy the chapters that involved their regular lives, like the supper party and sleigh ride.
February 3, 2013
This 1959 story happens to be fourth in a series. I’m attracted to any exploration of an old house, no matter what the demographics; especially if it has potential to be paranormal. I was impressed the mystery herein involves realistic subject matter that easily occurs, if anybody is bothered by something enough that they cannot bear it. The extent someone might go to suppress discomfort can be extreme, even if the situation appears silly. This is a serious subject.
Unfortunately reaching the crux is wasted on a lot of ‘little girl’ details, spoiling the excitement of wondering what the mystery is and never building momentum. For instance, several pals have dinner but one gets sick after eating too much and somersaulting in the living room. Even for a youth book, this was very juvenile. Catherine Woolley was more interested in showing ‘a winter in the life of these girls’ than plotting a mystery. A week-end trip was a forgivable segue and there was a special moment in a diner on the way back. But the author wasted tedious detail on the jaw-dropping housework expected of this child at home and skimmed over New York, which readers wouldn’t mind hearing about. The mystery of a woman not wanting Ginnie to know where she lived, was mentioned in bits & pieces as the author indulged in irrelevant antics. The plot was never at the forefront where it belonged.
I reluctantly gave a low rating to a vintage author, for smothering a topic that should have made a big impact. The last several pages of “Ginnie & The Mystery House” are very good and the outcome is satisfied very neatly. There are traits to admire in Ginnie but I’ve read books geared for much younger kids that are more compelling than this one.
Unfortunately reaching the crux is wasted on a lot of ‘little girl’ details, spoiling the excitement of wondering what the mystery is and never building momentum. For instance, several pals have dinner but one gets sick after eating too much and somersaulting in the living room. Even for a youth book, this was very juvenile. Catherine Woolley was more interested in showing ‘a winter in the life of these girls’ than plotting a mystery. A week-end trip was a forgivable segue and there was a special moment in a diner on the way back. But the author wasted tedious detail on the jaw-dropping housework expected of this child at home and skimmed over New York, which readers wouldn’t mind hearing about. The mystery of a woman not wanting Ginnie to know where she lived, was mentioned in bits & pieces as the author indulged in irrelevant antics. The plot was never at the forefront where it belonged.
I reluctantly gave a low rating to a vintage author, for smothering a topic that should have made a big impact. The last several pages of “Ginnie & The Mystery House” are very good and the outcome is satisfied very neatly. There are traits to admire in Ginnie but I’ve read books geared for much younger kids that are more compelling than this one.
December 13, 2020
Goody-two-shoes Ginnie and friends get involved where they shouldn't, forcing an old lady into a nursing home. It snows a lot. Sleigh rides, stuck buses, and carb-laden meals intervene.
April 22, 2019
Life is full of mysteries. When you don't know something and feel the need to know something, it's good to pursue it. It's also good to be letting others know what you are doing (especially your parents) so they can help you solve mysteries. This book is about one mystery that Ginnie pursues and because of her pursuit she is able to help someone.
Talking points - What mysteries have you solved? How did you solve them? What things are still a mystery to you? How could you solve it? Who could help you solve it? How does it make you feel when you figure things out? Do you have people you admire because of the way they are able to solve things? Who? The old woman in this story who lived alone became more and more fearful. What other challenges do you think old people have? How could you help someone who is old? The girls in this book had a covered dish party. What types of parties have you been to in the past, which were your favorites and why? Do you like going to parties or hosting parties better, why? Ginnie knows who she can call on for help. Write a list of 10 people you could call on for help and list the things that each person could help with.
Talking points - What mysteries have you solved? How did you solve them? What things are still a mystery to you? How could you solve it? Who could help you solve it? How does it make you feel when you figure things out? Do you have people you admire because of the way they are able to solve things? Who? The old woman in this story who lived alone became more and more fearful. What other challenges do you think old people have? How could you help someone who is old? The girls in this book had a covered dish party. What types of parties have you been to in the past, which were your favorites and why? Do you like going to parties or hosting parties better, why? Ginnie knows who she can call on for help. Write a list of 10 people you could call on for help and list the things that each person could help with.
June 12, 2026
Does not hold up to modren day. I wish Ginnie would leave the poor old lady alone, some people like their privacy. She is literally a Karen. What gives her the authority to repeatedly break into people's houses because she hear a weird sound? She also mocks her classmate because she rides to school in a farm truck, but is greatful for that truck rescuing her when she gets stuck. She uses that classmate in other ways, and does not treat her like a friend. I did like some of the snow scenes, so that gives it an extra star. Don't bother reading, unless you a busy-body who like stalking your neighbors on Nextdoor.
November 7, 2019
A childhood favorite series. Appropriate for kids ages 7-10.
March 7, 2021
C-. fiction, children's fiction, grade 4, friends, elderly neighbor, scary, series (Ginnie and Geneva, #4), from stash, discard
April 2, 2021
I really like dis book ♡ it is a classic 50s/60s mystery.
August 5, 2024
bought this book when younger through Scholastic Book Club in school. Was nice to pick up again and re-read.
Want to Read
June 19, 2013nothing
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews