The Secret of Grim Hill

Grim Hill #1

by Linda DeMeulemeester

Cat Peters just transferred to Darkmont High, and is already desperate to get out. There's no way her mom can afford the tuition at Grimoire, the posh, private school nearby, so when Cat hears that Grimoire is offering a full scholarship to the winners of a soccer tournament, she jumps at the chance! Once she makes the team, everything starts to go Cat's way. It's like the whole town is under a spell, and all they care about is the tournament. Elated by her new celebrity status, Cat doesn't pay much attention when her little sister, Sookie, and their bookworm neighbor, Jasper, try to tell her there's something ... just not right about the old school on the hill. Their worries are confirmed when they uncover a mystery about an entire soccer team that disappeared many years ago. But strangely, no one in the town remembers the incident. When Sookie goes missing, Cat is forced to take Jasper seriously, and the two must figure out what is happening to the town. The investigation leads Cat to a book about ancient fairies and Celtic mythology, and she soon realizes that there is something truly wicked at work inside the walls of Grimoire.

Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Middle Grade, Childrens, Adventure, Canada, Paranormal

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Rania · رانية · Rating 4 out of 5]

still top-notch.

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho este libro, espero pronto poder leer el siguiente.

[Adraxsetimera · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember when I first came across this book. I was 10 years old and had snuck into my elementary school's tiny library during lunch break. Books were my only solace as an outcast kid and the moment my eyes landed on this one, I was enamored. Perhaps it was my love for all things mystical and fantastical, but I came back during library hours and checked it out. It was amazing! The series was perfect, the story, the characters, and the overall mood of the world were quintessential. Now I'm 23 and I still go to my local library and check it out every Halloween season. It's a charming book, the type that one would pass on to their kids during bedtime.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book with my whole heart. I can’t put into words how this book makes me feel. It’s my childhood favourite. I reread it every fall and it’s always as amazing as the year before. The things I would do to reread this again for the first time. Most people have Harry Potter and Narnia I have Grim Hill and it’s all mine. To sum this up Linda DeMeulemeester knows how to write an amazing spooky fall read.

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and series. I loved it as a kid, it was a really enjoyable and short read. Perfect for middle schoolers who like a little bit of magic, mystery and the supernatural. This books really is one of a kind. The story and characters gets better and better as the series go on. Would definitely recommend giving it a try!

[Thasneem Fazal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was honestly the best book I've read all year. I found it at the back of my closet, and as the bookworm I am, started reading it. While I was reading, it felt like i was in the book, having all the experiences. This was genuinely the best book i have read, like bruh 🤩

[K.A. Wiggins]

Fun & slightly creepy short fantasy novel for elementary to middle-school readers, with a bit of a twist on the usual supernatural/fairytale tropes.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing like a trip down memory lane with one of my favourite series from elementary school

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favourite book from my childhood

[Kellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. The first time I read it, I had chosen it to read for school. I was glad that I had chosen it because the book has a mysterious plot line and enjoyable characters. In the book, Cat Peters is going to a new school in her new town. Her family doesn't have a lot of money when they move (I think the mom and dad divorced and the mom didn't have a job), so Cat has to go to Darkmont school instead of the more expensive Grimoire school where her mom is starting to work. I think Darkmont was a middle school because I believe Cat's younger sister, Sookie, went somewhere else. Cat isn't popular at all and the only person she know is her nerdy neighbour Jasper who I think is a year younger than her.She also gets into a lot of trouble at school, so when she sees a poster about a Halloween soccer match, she is eager to join. The reason she is eager is because the soccer match is hosted by Grimoire school and the winning team gets a free scholarship to the school. When Cat goes to Grimoire school (which is on top of Grim Hill), everyone who makes the tryouts get separated into two teams: the witches and the ghosts). Cat is excites that she is on the witches team but her sister Sookie isn't as enthusiastic. Sookie also talks to someone named Cindy that Cat never sees and Cat bans them from talking to each other because Cindy is telling Sookie about the horrors of Grimoire school.
.Sookie is convinced that there is something weird going on at Grimoire school. Strange things start happening and it seems like everyone is excited about the Halloween match, except for Jasper and Sookie. Once when they were playing monopoly, they found a journal from 70 years ago about a Halloween match. The writer, Alice Greystone, writes about a soccer match that her sister, Lucinda was in and all about how everyone was obsessing over it (just like how everyone was obsessing about it now). Cat decides to ignore it but Jasper also thinks strange things are occurring. Everyone in the soccer match can skip homework and get free apples. Things that get in the way of soccer practice are also disappearing. A Punjabi school is burnt down and a couple that was getting married break apart. Cat is popular now and everyone is being nice to her. Her mom lets her throw a boy-girl Halloween party and buys lots of supplies even though they don't have a lot of money. At the party, someone tells Cat about Celts traditions, and Cat later learns it was Cindy. When Cat later on realizes her sister is missing, she finally accepts the fact that something is wrong with Grim Hill and goes to Jasper to help. In the end, Cat finally learns what is going on at Grim Hill

[Julie Grasso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book in my Amazon suggestions, and I have to say, I just loved the cover and that is what drew me in. I am a big fan of a middle grade mystery, and I was not disappointed by this one.


Written in first person narrative, I found myself swept up by Cat's conundrums. She moves to a new town after her parents split. I felt Cat's pain, as everything and everyone in the new school seemed against her. That is until she tries out for the soccer team. Suddenly, things start to swing her way. Cat enjoys her new found popularity, just a little too much at the expense of her one and only loyal friend Jasper, and her younger sister Sookie. Soon, Cat can think of nothing but soccer, and suddenly she is not the only one. The whole town has soccer fever. Except Sookie. She doesn't like soccer at all and is even less impressed by Grimoire school.

Poor Sookie keeps getting dragged to soccer training, and while Cat and her friends are on the field, Sookie befriends and odd girl. The girl seems to know an awful lot about Grimoire school, and she does her best to convince Sookie to stop Cat from playing in the soccer match.
Cat of course, is so focused on her game, she will not listen to any of Sookie's warnings. That is until some awful coincidences begin to happen, that even Cat can't deny are strange.

Cat swallows her pride and enlists the help of Jasper. What they find, will expose a sinister secret, one that you will be itching to discover.

This was a fast paced read, with just enough hint of the mystery along the way to keep you guessing. I believe children aged 8-12 will enjoy this short chapter book, and will be left wanting more.

[Stephanie Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Secret of Grim Hill" follows a girl named Cat who is an outcast at a new school after she moved towns due to her parents divorce. The only way out of this gloomy reality of hers is to join a soccer competition that could win her a scholarship at Grimoire, the beautiful school up the hill. She signed up for the soccer team and made it in. She finds herself submerged in her newfound friendships and popularity. Everything took a turn and seemed like it was going so well, a little too well. Soon, Cat finds out that Grimoire is not as great as it seems and she must fight to save the ones she loves.


This book consists of a very mysterious and intriguing plot line that kept me wanting more. I was captured by the nice flow and how well the author, DeMeulesmeester, wrote the story. The book is based off of some Celtic mythology, which also gave me some knowledge on some history as well as a good storyline. This story includes many ghosts, witches and fairies which had me hooked because I love a great paranormal mystery. Although it can give a few chills up the spine, it is not considered too scary of a book so it may also be able to appeal to younger readers as well. Overall, I would definitely recommend this read to those looking for a book that has a bit of thrill to it, yet still very appropriate for all ages.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com

After an awful first day at her new school, Cat Peters decides that she will do anything to escape from Darkmont High. When she hears that Grimoire--the private school that sits alone on a forest-covered hill--is offering full tuition to the winners of a soccer competition to be held on Halloween, she makes up her mind to put all of her energy into it. She's ecstatic when she makes one of the two teams--the Witches--and suddenly, her life begins to shape up. Everyone now wants to be her friend, teachers let her leave class early for soccer practice, and the entire town is cheering her on to win the game.

The only two people who do not seem to so excited about it are Cat's little sister, Sookie, and their nerdy neighbor, Jasper. Cat can't help that she doesn't have time to do things with Sookie now that she has so much soccer practice, and she doesn't need a nerd for a friend now that she's finally fitting in at school. But is Cat's acceptance by her peers, and the rest of this town, really normal, or has soccer really taken over? And why is it that, when something seems to conflict with the game or practice, it seems to be eliminated in the worst way?

I must say that the ending of this book surprised me by not going in the direction I expected it. Instead, it appealed to a topic that I find fascinating, and I enjoyed seeing this author's take. A fun fantasy mystery for the younger reader.

[Kayla West · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a rare day off yesterday, so I decided to go through my kindle and pick a book to read "just for the fun of it." I had just recently bought this book after finding it randomly, or maybe not so randomly since they go based on what you have looked for in the past, on Amazon and thought it sounded quite interesting, so this is the one I chose to spend my day with.

Now while I am above the intended age level that this book was intended for, I definitely did enjoy it. It had a spooky quality about it due to the events of the story and the characters were written well enough to make them believable and likeable. Even the dreaded fairy characters.

The thing is, I also felt that the story never really had any high points or low points. While the ending was quite exciting with the whole fairy circle thing, I never really felt surprised or anxious or really any emotion at all. I am a reader who likes to be yanked in as if I am part of the book itself. I want to feel part of the story. And this just kind of felt like too easy a read for me. Although, I do like that the ending never really felt the ending. Like there was some impending doom to befall the characters. It is Sookie's newfound attachment to Grim Hill and her humming of a certain tune that implies this.

Things are just beginning, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book so I can see what is going to happen next.

[Joy]

Cat,named after her "cat like eyes", moved into a new town with her mom and little sister Sookie. She had just tranferred to Darkmount High and desperately trying to get into the all-girl private school next door, Grimoire, but her mother doesn't have the money. When an opportunity comes her way, she jumps at it, Grimoire is giving a full scholarship to the soccer team that wins! Cat makes the team, but Sookie has has a bad feeling about it and is talking to a strange girl named Cindy. After Cat's Halloween party, she found three feathers on the floor and no one remembers who Sookie is, Cat and her neighbor Jasper find out where Sookie is and rescues everyone who is taken capture!

I picked up this book because: I bought this book at my school book fair a few years ago and I couldn't understand it, so I wondered 'why don't I give it a try now?' turns out I really like it.

I finished the book because: The book was actually really good so I wanted to she if she gets her sister back.

I would recommend the book to: someone who likes mystery and horror books.

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun, fast read that I'm sure a lot of middle graders would enjoy. It wasn't intense or complicated but there was just enough mystery and spookiness to appeal to young kids with great imaginations.

Cat was a little unlikeable at first--too self-centered and caught up in her own needs to be popular and the centre of attention. But, toward the end, she did mature and learn an important life lesson--that other people were just as significant and valuable as her and she was not the only being that the universe revolved around.

I liked how the author combined Celtic mythology with the strange happenings at Grimoire School. Witches, ghosts and fairies provided an appropriate supernatural atmosphere.

The ending was surprising, but good. It was not so abrupt as to constitute an annoying cliffhanger, but it definitely left the reader with a hankering to continue the adventure to see what happens next.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likes: It was cute and well written. It flowed very nicely and kept the tension going throughout.

Challenges: The main character, Cat, was a bit difficult to like at first. She is self-centered in the beginning of the book, tending to only focus on her own feelings and a little too willing to sacrifice someone else's in pursuit of bolstering her own ego, even though she is aware that she is doing so. However, she does experience character growth by the end of the book and learns that there are more important things than whether Cat is the center of attention.

Bottom line: It's a good read for the younger set, a good mystery with a little useful info about getting along.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat has moved to a new school called Darkmount High, and she hates it. She wants to go to Grimoirs High School but her mom can't afford it. Cat is really good at soccer so she tries out for the team and the winners of the tournament get a free scholarship to Grimoire, but Cat starts to sense there is something wrong with Grimoire like fairies and Celtic mythology.

I read this book because it was in Silver Birch two years ago and I had forgotten what it was about.

I finished it because I had forgotten the ending.

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great start to the whole series. For awhile, this was my favourite book, I was totally obsessed (until I found Percy Jackson, Fairy Tail and Death Note). I just wish sometimes that Cat wouldn't be so... stupid?! I mean seriously. She's all like boys, boys, magic, boys, Sookie, boys, and guess what? MORE BOYS. This is why I like reading about male leads better than female leads. Women aren't that "obsessed" with men in real life, AUTHORS. So can you somehow make it you know... realistic?
Not giving bad rap about the book though, it was great.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is kind of creepy, but I liked it! It’s a really quick, fun read. I pulled it from my classroom library, which mostly has really childish books, so I wasn’t expecting to actually enjoy it. The only reason I took it was because we were supposed to be reading in class and I didn’t have a book.
But anyways, I like how the story develops, and the big twist at the end, which I was not expecting. It has a well constructed plot, and simple yet interesting characters. I recommend it for anyone who wants an interesting, fun, suspenseful, sorta creepy quick read. It’s quite good actually.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book and its series. It was clever to mix Celtic mythology with a story line to make it an interest to children in middle school. It won a silverbirch award and for a good reason. Cat's character is believable. She is depressed after a move and divorce and the school she attends doesn't help. Her love for soccer is a distraction I believe and Linda writes this very well. I cannot wait for the fourth book and to continue her lovely writing.

[michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a simple read that I believe is aimed at middle-grade students. It was enjoyable, but there were pieces that didn't connect well and the Cat was not a likable character. A paranormal mystery that mixed in Celtic mythology. Perhaps I'm being too harsh. I would probably not enjoy Christopher Pike the same way now that I did as a child.

[Sheila Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret of Grim Hill is just gently spooky enough to be fun without being overly scary. It's a straightforward, fast-paced story and an easy read that's perfect for tween reluctant readers. Read my entire review.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book. I love the series. This is one of the books that Lobster Press has published. It mixes Celtic mythology of fairies with mystery and the troubles of a 13 year old girl. It's spooky and you want to keep reading.
I worked on the third book in the series which will come out next Spring. Be watching for it. It's a good one!

[Saviourofmusic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so good. I don't wanna go all fangirl though, so I'll just list the great things about it: a non perfect main character who strives for more than just popularity and beauty, and a small town with a strange mystery, relations to Celtic tradition. There's a lot more, please read it! This book is so good.

[Dan Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've never been a fan of ghosts, witches, and other figures of a similar nature. As a result I did not enjoy this book very much and therefore, unfortunately, do not feel that I can or should recommend it to my students. I feel that it could leave some of them with nightmares, something that I am just not willing to have to deal with.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing is so bad, the characters very unrealistic, and Cat is annoying and selfish. BUT I LOVE IT SO MUCH. This is the book that I remember being in love with and it will always be one that means so much to me. I highly recommend it for kids or parents who have kids that they want to get into reading, and for people who are looking for a fun and exciting series.

[Thamilinie · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is great.I am looking for the 4th book in the series.This book should be for gr.4 and up because
this book has some challenging words bit is a really good book.I finished this book a bit quicker because some books take me a really long time but this book was too interesting to put down.

[Jeev · Rating 5 out of 5]

umm..I read this book a really long time ago, and I totally forgot the entire story. -_- Now what was it again... something about the two sisters and one going to play soccer.....I don't know, I can't remember now, all I know is that I liked this book. It was good. :) The end!

[Maggie I. · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was pretty creepy and mysterious. i liked it