The Old Willis Place Graphic Novel: A Ghost Story

by Scott E. Peterson, Meredith Laxton (Illustrator), Sienna Haralson (Illustrator)

Diana and her little brother, Georgie, know every inch of the land around the old Willis place, a crumbling mansion that some people say is haunted. They climb the trees and swim in the pond. And they can do whatever they want, even stay up all night. They don't have to change their clothes, brush their hair, or go to school. They have total freedom--as long as they don't leave the grounds.

When Lissa arrives with her father, the new caretaker of the estate, Diana is overjoyed. She's been wishing for a friend. She can show Lissa all her favorite spots, and they can share their favorite books. Maybe Lissa can even help her uncover the ghastly secret of the creepy old Willis house.

But there are rules that must be followed in order to keep the peace. Diana and Georgie aren't allowed to make friends. If Diana makes contact with Lissa, she could unleash evil forces beyond her control . . . and then they'll all be sorry.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Horror, Mystery, Fiction, Ghosts, Fantasy

160 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2024

About the author

Scott Peterson got his start in comics as an editor on the Batman line of comics, working with the legendary Dennis O’Neil. He edited DC’s flagship title, Detective Comics, and launched the first of the the Adventures sub-genre of comics, The Batman Adventures. He later went on to edit for WildStorm, where he oversaw such titles as WildCats, Midnighter, A God Somewhere and North 40, as well as Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes. As a writer, he has been published by Disney, Scholastic, Golden Books, HarperCollins, and DC Comics, including a four-year run as the regular writer of The Gotham Adventures. He is the author of Batman: Kings of Fear with art legendary artist Kelley Jones, and the original graphic novel Truckus Maximus.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Books_the_Magical_Fruit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it, loved it, now reviewing it less than two hours after receiving the eARC. I had heard of Mary Downing Hahn, and she was an author I steered clear of when I was a kid. I can handle some horror (zombies!), but paranormal stuff almost always freaks me the heck out. However, I seem to be able to handle it better in a graphic novel format, at least as an adult, which is odd, since you’d think seeing the illustrations of ghosts would be scarier than just reading about them. I think it’s because the ghosts remind me of Scooby Doo villains, and that removes some of the dread factor. Who knows? My mind is a fascinating place. 😁

I had to wait a while for this ARC, and I was so excited to get it that I immediately dove in. The illustrations are fantastic, and you can see the difference between Lissa and Diana & Georgie right away. When I first saw the latter two, I thought, “those kids are filthy!”, and they are. You learn why in a slow and steady manner, and Hahn weaves her tale masterfully. This is a short, quick read, and I don’t want to give anything away, so I will leave it at this: This reads exceptionally well in a graphic novel format, and it will surely spook a new generation of kids and teens. The creative team has done an excellent job in bringing this classic to life, artistically speaking.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children’s Books and Clarion Books for the advance copy. As always, all opinions are my own.

[chasc.taylor_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid, spooky graphic novel. I was really into the story—up until the ending. The resolution felt a bit too quick, and the lack of remorse from certain characters didn’t quite sit right with me. Still, it was an enjoyable read overall, and I definitely plan to check out more graphic novels by this author.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A spooky MG graphic novel perfect for fans of the original novel by @marydowninghahn I love that they’re taking older books and freshening them up via graphic novel!
I think the kids will love it!

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read — well, listened to — the Audible version of The Old Willis Place years ago. The very first Mary Downing Hahn book I ever read was The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall. I loved it enough to read as many of her middle-grade spooky books as I could find! Like with The Old Willis Place, I was very rarely sorry.

Naturally, I was eager to read Hahn’s latest version, a graphic novel edition illustrated by Scott Peterson, Meredith Laxton and Sienna Haralson. Miss Lillian Willis has been dead for 10 years, and her mansion is falling apart. Twelve-year-old Diana and her younger brother Georgie fear the old woman so much, they don’t even say her name. With no parents around, Diana and Georgie are free of school, chores or requirements to bathe, change their clothes or keep regular hours. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t rules: Neither can enter the Old Willis Place, wander farther afield than the gate to the 300-acre property or let themselves be seen by the new caretaker’s daughter, Lissa Morrison — as much as they’d like to. But they do spend hours upon hours silently spying on the Morrisons, daughter and father, one of the few things they have to amuse themselves.

Who set these rules? Who enforces them? And what is the “bad thing” that the children keep alluding to? And why does Miss Willis hate Diana and Georgie so much? While I don’t think the graphic novel rises to the level of the original (which was much more subtle), readers will be reluctant to put down this graphic novel even though they’ll solve the mystery long before Lissa.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley. Harper Collins Children’s Books and Clarion Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Mary Downing Hahn books as a child. She has a way of writing horror that can scare the Jesus out of a child, but not so much that they don’t continue to love the genre. This graphic novel does an OK job. It is better than other books in the graphic novel Hahn books. The graphic novels are very wordy and long. Sometimes they’re a pain to get through. This one wasn’t a pain, but one felt every page. I’m also not a big fan of the art style. It works with the books, but I don’t find it complements the story. Overall, I do like this book because I like the original it’s based on. If not for that, I might not suggest this to other readers.

[Gary Anderson]

The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story Graphic Novel is a really good choice to book-talk this time of year. Based on Mary Downing Hahn’s 2007 middle-grade novel, this graphic novel adaptation by Scott Peterson, Meredith Laxton, and Sienna Haralson is a chilling ghost story with mystery elements and appealing characters. The story opens with Diana and Georgie, two feral-looking children, observing the arrival of yet another new caretaker at the allegedly haunted Willis place. This time is different though because the caretaker has a daughter about their age.

We learn that Diana and Georgie are siblings who live alone in the woods. They follow rules that say they cannot interact with others, but Diana longs to have a friend while Georgie has no interest in friends. The other rule is that they must stay away from the Willis place because it is haunted by the ghost of the mean lady who lived and died in the house.

The new caretaker’s daughter is Lissa. At first, Diana and Georgie play tricks on Lissa by stealing from her, but Lissa eventually becomes friends with Diana and to a lesser extent Georgie. The plot revolves around this burgeoning friendship. L issa is smart, bookish, uninterested in math, a little lonely, a bit prickly at times, and a daredevil when it comes to the haunted house.

The art of The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story Graphic Novel is a fairly traditional comic style. Although there are plenty of dialogue bubbles, the book also includes sections of third-person exposition. Lissa’s diary entries also play an important role in providing point of view. Taken together, these editorial choices give The Old Willis Place more text than most graphic novels.

The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story Graphic Novel also has an interesting identity representation dimension. In this adaptation Lissa is presented as biracial. She clearly has Black features–dark skin and beautifully curly hair. Her father represents as white, or at least white-er. We also see a photograph in Lissa’s bedroom of her late mother who is also clearly Black. There is no exploration of Lissa’s racial identity other than the illustrations of her parents. Is there an Own Voices aspect to this? Well, this graphic novel is an adaption of an almost 20-year old novel by Mary Downing Hahn. Hahn is white. “The Creative Team” consists of author Scott Peterson (white), illustrator Meredith Laxton (white), artist Sienna Haralson (white), and editor Joamette Gil (Afro-Cuban). Gil’s bio includes this: “She’s best known for her independent comics imprint centering LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC creatives …” Although I have no familiarity with the original Mary Downing Hahn source material, I can easily imagine editor Gil saying to the artists, “Why not make Lissa a mixed race kid like me?”

The Old Willis Place: A Ghost Story Graphic Novel is a just-right choice for many young readers. After all, who doesn’t like a good ghost story? No spoilers here, but The Old Willis Place definitely gave me the willies. I read this graphic novel in one long sitting and was completely absorbed the entire time. The higher volume of text is not likely to be an obstacle or a turn-off, while the moody illustrations and macabre revelations will keep the pages turning.

This review is also posted in slightly different form on my What's Not Wrong? blog.

[Jennifer T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good comic retelling. The illustrations were bright, colorful, and sharp. The story was fast paced enough to keep kid’s attention. I read a lot of Ms Hahn’s books as a kid but I can’t remember if I read this one or not so I’m glad I was able to read the graphic novel version. I will definitely look for more graphic novel retellings of her work.

Thanks to the authors and publisher for the e-ARC I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The artwork is excellent, and I loved the story (heartbreaking as it is) up until the end (for both the original and this graphic rendering). Sometimes the bad guys should get their just desserts. Had there been true remorse, it may have been different, but there were only excuses and selfishness to the end. It didn't feel genuine. In this regard, All the Lovely Bad Ones did it so much better.

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was a pretty decent story and I liked the artwork...but for a graphic novel it's very wordy. I think this adaptation could have been done differently...more showing vs telling...and I think it would have been more effective.

[vio ｡ ₊°༺❤︎༻°₊ ｡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like the ending 😒

[Elise Chandler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a creepy read! It was so chill at first then twist, twist, twist. Wow. And it had a lesson at the end? Big fan. I gotta read the rest of the graphic novels now.

[Ollie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great adaptation into graphic novel version. As a kids graphic this story had so many elements and details to the plot. A great message of forgiveness and fighting the past. The ending made me cry.

[Haleigh Gravgaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The Old Willis Place: Graphic Novel" adaptation brings Mary Downing Hahn’s spooky tale to life with vivid illustrations by Scott Peterson. The story revolves around Diana and her little brother, Georgie, who roam the grounds of the decrepit Willis mansion. They enjoy an unusual freedom, bound only by mysterious rules that keep them tethered to the eerie estate.

The narrative kicks off intriguingly, painting a vivid picture of the siblings’ peculiar existence. Diana’s excitement over the arrival of Lissa, the new caretaker's daughter, introduces a relatable longing for friendship amidst their lonely life. The graphic novel captures the ghostly ambiance of the original novel, with haunting visuals that enhance the eerie atmosphere.

However, the story’s adaptation into graphic novel form feels somewhat lacking. While the artwork is commendable and captures the creepy essence of the old mansion, the pacing of the plot suffers. The suspense and mystery, which are pivotal in the original novel, do not translate as effectively in this format. Key plot points and character developments are rushed, leaving readers with less emotional connection to Diana and Georgie.

Diana’s struggle with the rules and her growing desire to connect with Lissa forms the crux of the plot. The illustrations do a good job of depicting her internal conflict and the looming sense of dread. However, the climactic revelations and the supposed "ghastly secret" of the Willis house might leave readers wanting more depth and detail.

In summary, "The Old Willis Place: Graphic Novel" is a visually appealing yet somewhat underwhelming adaptation of Hahn's original work. It offers a decent read for younger audiences new to the story, but may not fully satisfy those who are fans of the novel’s richer narrative. A three-star rating feels appropriate for this graphic novel that, while engaging and atmospheric, falls short in delivering the full impact of its source material.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding graphic adaptation of one of Mary Downing Hahn’s middle grade scary books. 12 year old Lissa and her father move into a caretaker’s home to watch over a crumbling mansion that is supposedly haunted and Lissa makes friends with an odd girl her age who seems to enjoy hanging out with her brother on the property. Peterson’s adaptation drops far more clues into the identity of the brother and sister than the original work which is a bit disappointing but he also makes the haunting of the old mansion far creepier than I remember from Hahn’s work. Important aspects of the two versions, such as Lissa’s diary, remain constant in both and fans of the original will be pleased and those who discover the story first in graphic novel format may decide to get more detail and seek out the traditionally formatted novel. The illustrations in this 4th graphic adaptation of MDH’s work may be my favorite so far and I especially love how Peterson includes 2 and 3 pages of text from Lissa’s diary and the trio of illustrators add sketches in the borders. Nice blend of traditional text within graphic panels but with pictures to keep readers engaged. Text is free of profanity and sexual content but the death of two children and one adult is a key part of the plot line and could be upsetting to some. The illustrations of these deaths, however, is not detailed or gruesome. Highly recommended for grades 5-8, possibly grade 4, as well.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel was such a spooky fun! I read Mary Downing Hahn books when I was in middle school and loved them so I was excited to see this story as a graphic novel. Middle school me would have loved everything about this book! The story was just the right amount of spooky for tweens and the art was very well done. The "twist" isn't well hidden but it works and the ending is satisfying. It was a quick read and I read it digitally on my phone. The colors and art still looked great. It's a fantastic book for middle school age kids and adults looking for a spooky easy read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[madeline ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clip from the official blog post:
The Old Willis Place is haunted; at least, that’s what the locals say. Told in messy, torn scraps of memories, bedtime stories, diary entries, and secrets shared in hushed tones, the tragic and frightening tale of Diana, Georgie, and Ms. Willis is sewn together like a fraying patchwork quilt.

Where does fact cover fiction in town rumors and gossip, and where do lies fill the cracks in the truth when the reality is too fantastical to be believed?

My fun, fresh, less formal review:

I read this book essentially in one sitting. There were just so many questions I needed answered and I needed them answered now!

It was like... so sad. Almost as sad as All the Lovely Bad Ones. I also really liked that this one was essentially multi-POV with the diary entries! I liked it but I don't have much to talk about. It went from a three-star to a four-star though because I actually couldn't put it down with my need to find out what the hell was happening.

I find, unfortunately, that I'm beginning to find Hahn's books to be formulaic and repetitive. There are a lot of constant themes, tropes, etc. How is it that every book I've read by her has a boy and girl sibling with parents that aren't around or literally don't care at all about their children? I'm sure this is because I'm 28... and these books are written for children 8-12 haha. Despite the familiar endings to all three of the books I've read by her... she still gets me in the feels every time and I end up crying a little bit.

I say all of this like I haven't already put the next graphic novel book on hold though.


SPOILERS:

- it's probably embarrassing how long it took me to realize that the kids were dead. the way the entire book I was like... wait... Wait... WAIT WAIT WAIT!

- I BEG you for ONE parent who BELIEVES their CHILD and CARES about their WELL BEING.

- I wanted it to be scarier but unfortunately... it is a children's book.

- I think it's really cool that Hahn has multiple TYPES of ghosts in this book, and she doesn't explain it. I'm personally a big fan of paranormal/horror not explaining itself. I don't need to know! And so often the explanation falls flat and ruins the experience of the entire story.

- I recognize that this is from an era where children's chapter books needed to have some sort of moral learned by the audience but I really wish everyone would stop apologizing and forgiving everyone. This lady LOCKED you in a ROOM and LEFT you to DIE. NO NEED TO FORGIVE. I need these children to learn the importance of talk therapy and boundaries. Blow a raspberry, make the shape of an L on your forehead, and leave her to ROT.

[Cheryl Malandrinos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Downing Hahn’s middle grade ghost story, The Old Willis Place, has been adapted by Scott Peterson and illustrators Meredith Laxton and Sienna Haralson, into a gripping new graphic novel.

Diana and her younger brother, Georgie, know every inch of the land around the old Willis place, a crumbling mansion many believe is haunted. They have free reign to do as they please, as long as they don’t leave the grounds.

Diana is thrilled when Lissa arrives with her father, the new caretaker of the estate. She has longed for a friend to share things with, despite knowing the same rules that don’t allow Diana and Georgie to leave the grounds also don’t allow them to make friends. Contacting Lissa could unleash evil forces beyond their control, and then they will all be sorry.

Wow! This is a fabulous, engaging, and creepy read. I hadn’t read Hahn’s original novel that The Old Willis Place is adapted from, but I certainly want to read it and other ghost stories by Hahn now. Many caretakers have come to the estate, but many of them don’t stay long, and none of them have children that Diana could pal around with. But the old Willis place holds secrets, and if the rules are broken, it could be disastrous for everyone.

Lissa’s dad is the only dud in a fascinating graphic novel that ends with great satisfaction. He’s a struggling writer whose sole purpose in the storyline is to get Lissa to the estate. Otherwise, he is an uninvolved, slightly annoying character who doesn’t believe his daughter when she expresses concerns about missing things and feeling like she is being watched. He was a necessary character, but not much more than the invisible adults in a Charlie Brown cartoon. Fine by me, because this story would be amazing with or without him.

Fabulous, detailed artwork combined with an irresistible story encourages me to read The Old Willis Place again. Highly recommended!

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more bookish opinions, visit my blog: Craft-Cycle

Another great graphic novel adaptation of a Mary Downing Hahn story. I haven't read any of Hahn's original novels, but these adaptations definitely make me want to go back and read them.

Diana and Georgie are free to roam the land around Oak Hill Manor as long as they don't go into the house and stay on the grounds. But they've explored every inch and long for something new. When a new caretaker arrives with his daughter, Diana hopes they can be friends. But having friends is against the rules and Diana knows it.

This story was so well-told. I usually try to pace myself, especially when reading graphic novels. But I finished this one in one day. The story was so compelling. Though pieces of it were pretty predictable, it was a really cool story with interesting characters.

Unsupportive caregivers definitely seem the be a main theme in Hahn's stories and Mr. Morrison is no different. Definitely better than Dave in Wait Till Helen Comes: A Graphic Novel and any of the adults in Took: A Ghost Story. Graphic Novel, but he still doesn't take anything his daughter says seriously. Get the girl some curtains, man!

Great artwork that matches the story perfectly.

Wonderfully spooky and quite dark with some heartstring-pulling moments. This book is delightfully odd and satisfying. My favorite adaptation so far.

[Josephine Sorrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic graphic novel, adapted from Hahn’s now classic novel, The Old Willis Place! I just cannot express how much I enjoyed reading and viewing the illustrations. Both had that satisfying creepy vibe throughout.


If you aren’t familiar with the story, it follows a young girl, Diana, and her little brother, Georgie, as they go through their days on the grounds of a large and long deserted manor house. They are free to do almost anything each day, no bedtime, no bathing, they can’t get hurt so they can be daredevils and no food is needed, although they sometimes long for a tasty morsel of their past. All will go well provided they follow a few very clear and utterly important rules, one being never to reveal yourself.


There have been several loser, lazy caretakers since Old Miss Willis died without leaving a will and the house is now owned by the township. When a new caretaker and his daughter, Lissa, move into the caretaker's trailer on the grounds, Diana yearns to make a friend, due to every boring day being the same. She has wanted a new friend for a long time. But there is just one problem, Diana and Georgie aren't allowed to have friends; it's one of the rules. If she makes contact with Lissa will evil be unleashed?

This book may be scary if not disturbing for some readers. The mystery of Diana and Georgie disappearance is at the key to the sad sad mystery of the children’s disappearance, but I won’t spoil it for you.

[Abigail Pankau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Diana and Georgie live in the woods by the old Willis place, a crumbing old mansion where the caretakers never stay long. Diana and Georgie run free in the woods, but they have rules: they never talk to other people and they never go into the old mansion. When a new caretaker arrives with his daughter, Diana decides to break the rules because she desperately wants to have a friend. She makes friends with Lisa, who’s very curious about where Diana really lives. Diana doesn’t want to tell her the full truth, though, because she’s afraid that Lisa won’t be her friend then. But then Lissa decides to explore the old house one day, even though Diana warns her not to, and they find the ghost of the old woman who died in the house. Now Diana will have to tell the truth, or they will be haunted by the old lady forever.

This is a spooky little mid-grade ghost story in graphic novel form. I have not read the original book that the graphic novel is adapting, but it reads much like other ghost stories from the ‘80s. It’s good though, for a mid-grade story, with just the right amount of spooky and a lesson about telling the truth. I liked how they incorporated the diary entries into the story.

[Dione Basseri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each of the Hahn GN adaptations has been better than the last! These books have just the right level of gruesome for a middle-grade reader, without exposing them to some of the more gritty horrors common in adult spooks.

I think most kid readers will figure out early on that the narrator of this book, Diana, is no longer of the living. And that’s kind of a fascinating way to START the book. The tension isn’t about a human protagonist being in danger–although we do have a living human girl, Lissa, as a backup narrator–but about the “rules” that Diana and her also-dead brother Georgie instinctively know. And, of course, the mystery of HOW they died.

The illustration team put fantastic effort into every page. With the forest setting, they have had to draw thousands of leaves and twigs and other background features. The woods feel dense and wild, unkempt and feral, just like Diana and Georgie.

The ending of the book is nuanced, and actually made me tear up. The story allows for moral greyness, and thus allows for healing. Diana, Georgie, and Lissa all have growth. Which is impressive, when 2 out of 3 kids is dead!

Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel interpretation of Mary Downing Hahn’s The Old Willis Place follows siblings Georgie and Diana who are somehow tied to the run down house of Miss Lillian’s mansion where rumors swirl that Miss Lillian's ghost haunts the grounds.

Georgie and Diana enjoy spying on the caretakers that are hired to look after the property until one day a father and young girl move in, tempting the siblings to break the rules and befriend the new girl.

The book is spooky and fast paced. Readers that have loved Goosebumps books but are looking for a story with a few more thrills will enjoy this entry. The panels are easy to follow and the illustrations bring the creepiness to light even if Georgie’s tattered clothes make him look like The Hulk after transitioning back to human size.

Recommended for purchase for libraries serving children in grades 2nd through 6th.

M.S.
Children's Librarian

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

CW: confinement, child death, murder, medical content, death

I will say this before I get into my review, but I have not read the original The Old Willis Place so I cannot tell you how true to the source material this book is. That being said, my review on this would be mainly focused on how this story would translated into a graphic novel format as well as my personal opinions on the story.

I don’t think that this was the best book/story to try to convey into a graphic novel format. It was very text-heavy for a supposedly middle grade graphic novel and I didn’t really like how the authors just simply wrote out what so-and-so character does as they do said action instead of just drawing out what the character was doing (as in for most graphic novels). The pacing was slow and honestly this book felt like a chore to read.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Knowing nothing about the original source material, I find myself torn with this story. I think the concept would be awesome as an adult horror story. Though the ending is very meh in my opinion. But this is a tough book as I'm not sure who the target audience really is. A little too spooky for children but not interesting/engaging enough for most teens, definitely puts it in the middle grade category. Maybe I'm looking at it through an adult lens but I found it to be super super dark with the big reveal.
All that being said I enjoyed it although I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to children.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a tale! I was riveted. The scary part of the story looms over what seems like an ordinary aspiring friendship story, while the backstory seems in with all its tragedy. Rare to get teary eyed at a horror story but it happened several times for me. Loved Diana as the main narrator. Odd for a ghost to feel so relatable. I haven’t read the novel but this is a fantastic adaptation. It feels like an original story and unlike many other novel to graphic novel re-tellings it doesn’t feel like there are parts missing or too much information or text crammed into the panels. A great feat. Can’t wait for the next one from this team!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the graphic novel adaptation of Mary Downing Hahn’s THE OLD WILLIS PLACE, Diana and her brother Georgie live on the grounds of an abandoned manor. When a new caretaker arrives with his daughter, Lissa, the pair observe them from afar for a while. Diana is lonely and craves companionship, so she breaks one of their rules and befriends Lissa. As their bond grows, the mystery of the Willis place unravels and threatens their friendship. An appropriately creepy story that’s perfect for middle grade readers craving ghost stories, this will serve as a great introduction to Hahn’s classic scary tales.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an eARC of the book with me.

[Soobie is expired · Rating 3 out of 5]

That's the third adaptation by Scott Peterson I read, and it's the best so far. I still think it's way too wordy for a graphic novel (and don't let me start on Lissa's journal), but I liked it. The story was quite good, and I like the characters of Diana and Georgie a lot.

I'm not entirely satisfied with the ending. Miss Willis gets off way too easy, in my opinion. It seems she doesn't have to pay for what she did. I mean, Diana and Georgie paid way more than her.

I finally decided to buy also the fourth adaptation, which is a bit more pricey than the other. No idea why. I'll read it as soon as it comes.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a wonderful adaptation from the original novel by Mary Downing Hahn. Scott Peterson, Meredith Laxton and Sienna Haralson make this adaption nothing short of magical and entertaining. I think the art and pacing is perfect and even though the novel is much bigger (200 plus pages). My oldest daughter read both the novel and graphic novel, and I believe she enjoyed both...well she had to in order to want to read it again in a different format. I highly recommend this ghost story for kids ages 10-14. Good stuff!

[AllyP Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good creepy book. It was a bit obvious that Diana and Georgie were ghosts; I really don't see how Lissa couldn't put that together. I also don't think the artwork reflected how terrible the children looked either. When Lissa first sees Diana, she's absolutely terrified of her because of her appearance, but Diana just looks a bit dirty. That's not really that terrifying. If Diana was really as Lissa describes to her dad, then she should have been drawn that way.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little bit creepy and a little bit mysterious. It kept me wanting more, especially as I was curious to what was going on. The graphics were wonderful, the sister/brother bond was great, and I loved how the story ended. I can’t wait to purchase a copy for my students.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book!