The Girl Who Wasn't There

by Karen McCombie

Maisie Hart's dad has a new job as live-in caretaker of a Victorian secondary school. Finding it hard to make friends, things change when Maisie tells her new classmates about something strange she saw the night before - a girl's face in the window of a gothic tower. The girls tell Maisie about the ghost of a Victorian pupil rumoured to wander the corridors. One particular student called Kat seems captivated by what Maisie has seen, and - both feeling like outsiders - they quickly become close. One night, though, Maisie comes across a tin box full of photos and notes. It's plainly decades old, and, squinting at the photos - belonged to a smiling girl who looks exactly like Kat...

Genres: Childrens, School, Mystery, Fantasy

256 pages, Paperback

First published August 7, 2014

About the author

Karen McCombie is a bestselling author of children's and young adult novels, and has had more than 90 books published. She is the author of the much-loved series 'Ally's World' (early 2000s) and her most recent books include the Carnegie-nominated historical adventure 'Little Bird Flies' (2019) and it's newly published partner novel 'Little Bird Lands' (2020, Nosy Crow Books), plus the 'St Grizzle's School' series for younger readers (Stripes). She has several books publishing in 2021.
Originally from Scotland, Karen lives in London with her husband, her teenage daughter and beautiful but bitey cat Dizzy.

Reviews

[Mollie Fredrickson]

I am super sorry, I wanted to like this, but I saw the punchline coming from the first chapter we met Kat. Bit too obvious and Sixth Sense for me.

[Bev]

I loved this book, even though I'm not exactly the target audience. But it was perfect for 10 year old me (who is still alive and well somewhere inside). As someone who often felt like an outsider as a child and changed schools multiple times, I could really relate to Maisie. The ghost story is sweet, not at all scary and also definitely not what I was expecting! I also found the sisterly relationship between Maisie and Clem believable. They obviously love each other but don't particularly like each other at times - but when it comes down to it, they're on the same team.

[Luna's Little Library]

I picked it for Halloween because there is a ghost but I wasn’t expecting any frights. Karen McCombie gave me precisely what I wanted, a nice and sweet story.

The relationship between Maisie and her sister Clem was one of the best things about this book. It feels real, complicated and messy. They love each other but they don’t always like each other. Maisie’s sometimes the wise one, other times Clem really comes through but in the end they pull together.

Also Clem and Maisie’s dad’s dating was pretty entertaining. It’s nice to have a good father-figure in a book as I haven’t come across one in quite a while.

[Laura Edwards]

This was a nice simple story. I would have enjoyed this more had I read it when i was about 8/9. The ghost story aspect wasn't at all spooky or suspenseful as it was very predictable but still an enjoyable read with likeable characters.

[Chrissi]

A cute and easy to read ghost story. Not scary at all for those that don't like creepy reads!

[Cheryl]

It has some great life lessons - Maisie has to deal with the fallout from her old school but also get on with life after her mum's death - but it is above all an exciting and intriguing story that will appeal to tweens and young teens.


Full review on my blog : http://madhousefamilyreviews.blogspot...

[Emily]

Read as home guided reading with my daughter & I.
We both really loved it!
A lovely gentle, very modern day ghost story; sad, but had us laughing out loud throughout.
Was great for Mother and daughter time. Really enjoyable and totally recommend.

[Eschutz]

This book was amazing I loved the plot twist definitely worth buying!!

[Megan]

I think this book would've been good if I was about 10. Sadly, I'm a little older than that, so this predictable book didn't appeal to me.

[Leila]

This book is EPIC!
I was intrigued about the Victorian "school ghost" but even more by ghost Kat! I nearly cried at the end when it was revealed how she died!!!

[Perri]

Really good book! Lots of mystery and excitement. Recommend for everyone.

[Sarah]

The feels in this one! It was not what I was expecting at all but perfectly written! I really enjoyed it. I felt like I was actually friends with Maisie and Kat. I'm sad the book ended!

[Rawdah]

This book was reccomended to me by my younger sister  but the moment Kat first appeared in the first chapter, I could see the twist coming. I anticapated it a bit too easily.
It might not be as predictable if I were a little younger, but I do not recommend it for adult readers.

[Haley Craig]

DNF - A bit drab if I'm honest. I got around halfway through, and it's the typical story of a girl who is an outsider at school moving to a new area and trying to start a new life - except with a ghost.

[Iona]

A great book I wasn't that happy with the truth because I wrote a story with a similar ending if I ever show it to somebody they will think I copied.

[Izzy Reeve]

Isn't usually the type of thing I like to read but it made me smile and was all round a great book and a great plot

[Isabel]

* 3.5 stars

[Ding a ling]

Frightening

[Tara]

3.5⭐️

[sahara 🌷]

little me LOVED this book

[Eadie Morrow]

This book was pretty good. I would recommend for pre-teens. The descriptions were amazing and I loved the writing style.

[donna craig]

nice little story .Maisie her dad and sister have to move when her dad gets a new job and she's worried that kids will find out about the incident at her old school

[Ekin]

okuduğum zaman çok sevmiştim ama şu an çok bir şey hatırlamıyorum

[Molly Tysle]

I enjoyed reading, very nice. A new school and a strange friend. I have nothing more to say, but thanks.

[Hollie]

this book made me think about how powerful our imagainations can be. "Maisie tells her new classmates about something strange she saw the night before"

the reader is teaching us that our imaginations are much more powerful than we will ever know and that sometimes we have to learn to seperate what our brains make up, and what is really happening in reality

in my opinion, some people are different than others, but alot of us need to learn whats real and whats all in our heads.

[laurie]

This book was well-written but not exactly difficult to read. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was a bit younger but it's a decent book.