There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around

by Vivian Vande Velde

When Ted's five-year-old sister Vicki invents an imaginary friend, no one is too concerned...until they realize that her friend can move things. Ted is sure that Vicki's "friend" Marella is a ghost. But why would a ghost haunt Vicki? And why does Marella seem to be terrified of another ghost-a dark figure that is haunting Ted? Edgar Award-winner Vivian Vande Velde's blend of history, humor, and suspense is sure to keep middle readers turning the pages!

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Paranormal, Mystery, Ghosts

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Vivian Vande Velde (born 1951, currently residing in Rochester, New York) is an American author who writes books primarily aimed at young adults.

Her novels and short story collections usually have some element of horror or fantasy, but are primarily humorous. Her book Never Trust a Dead Man (1999) received the 2000 Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Novel. She says that she really likes to write for children. She likes to do school talks to children. She does many book conventions and also gives writing classes.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing story. I didn't expect the Underground Railroad aspect when I started reading it. The story had some heartbreaking moments and I enjoyed the mystery.

[Kayla ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading one of the authors other books, “Companions of the Night “ about 100 times and falling completely in love with it every single read, I decided it was about time to check out some of her other works.
I took to amazon and picked out a few that sounded interesting to me; Never Trust A Dead Man and There’s A Dead Person Following My Sister Around. I chose the ‘used’ option for two reasons. One, the books were a ton cheaper. And Two, I loved the idea of having a book that someone in the 90’s had once loved and cherished.
The first, Never Trust A Dead Man, came with a marking on the outside pages that read “Ms.B”. Thanks to Amazon, somehow the book managed to leave her classroom and end up in my room. The second had no marking on the outside page, but upon opening it I realized it had something much more surprising! A note from the author herself.

It read : To Emily and Matt , May All Your Ghosts Be Friendly. -Vivian Van Velde

I was overjoyed. To think that I’d somehow scored a signed copy somehow for so cheap was amazing. And the personalized message made me even more excited to read the book! Like the previous boom that I’d read, this one started off intriguing and gave me the same feeling of reading one of the Goosebumps books as a kid so naturally, I loved it.
Progressively though the story hinted that this was not you typical ghost story after all, and eventually it is revealed that the ghosts that are haunting this family’s home are actually former runaway slaves.
The story itself was more depressing than it was frightening, going into it I thought it’d be a classic scary ghost story where I sympathize with the children being haunted and not the other way around. This story dwelled more into the history aspect and harshly reminded me just how sad and tragic it is to even be a ghost at all. Especially if you are the ghosts of runaway slaves who had already lived such a harsh and tragic life.
Though deeply saddening, the story was well written and came together nicely. A much different read from Companions of The Night but still enjoyable for the most part.
I’ll always cherish this book and the history that came along with it. Thank you to Emily and Matt for selling your used copy. May all of our ghost be forever friendly.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good ghost story. My favorite part was the journal entries. I did think it was predictable who was really haunting and who was trying to protect, but it was still a fun read. I think younger YA readers would it enjoy it more, since the MC is in 5th grade.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the way this book explored the intersection between past and present in the landscape as well as the peoplescape.

[Shanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleven-year-old Ted's 5-year-old sister Vicki starts talking about her new "invisible" friend. Other strange things start happening, but the oldest brother and the parents chalk it up to childhood imagination. Ted knows it is something more. Just a little bit creepy, with a surprising twist.

At first, just Vicki can see and talk to the ghost, who she describes as a little girl and a "bad lady". Then Ted is visited by the ghost via scary dreams. Ted finds the diary of the original owner of their 150-year-old home in which this great-relative details the tragic death of a fugitive slave and her daughter, who the woman had been trying to help escape to Canada. Ted enlists the help of his 13-year-old cousin, who admits to encountering a ghost at his house when she was five. The little girl ghost inhabits Vicki because she wants to be alive again, and she is sad because she thinks it is her fault that she and her mother died. The mother inhabits Ted so she can communicate with and comfort her daughter. Once it's all sorted out, mother and daughter are free to float away.

[Star · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book when I was in elementary school. It had been sitting on the top shelf in the music room, just gathering dust. I had noticed it for a long time, and one day, I decided to take pity on it, and I read it.

Ten year old me could not put the damn book down.

The writing style was amazing. I believe this book is middle grade, and if it is, it is surprisingly mature. Not extremely, but enough to be surprising. It was written a very real way- not super emotionally, more of a down-to-earth real way, similar to Perry Moore's "Hero", though that book was also extremely amusing.

I also loved the surprising historical connotation. It was informative and ended up being the part of the book that pulled me in.

I would definitely reccomend this book if what you're looking for is a quick, interesting read.

[diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty solid way to spend a snow day imo.

this is a very 90s version of a (white person's) ghost story for middle graders, which means there's a lot of content i wouldn't classify as offensive so much as unneeded in children's literature today. it's solidly written and has a decent sense of humor, though at times Ted felt a little too precocious to be believed, especially with how other characters interacted with him. i can't in good faith recommend it, as there's a lot of more recent books for children out there that engage with similar themes but in ways far more prevalent to how we understand social justice today. i also can't deny having a good time with it as i watched the snow pile up outside my window and procrastinated on other indoor tasks.

3.5/5 stars

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book that I picked up super cheap at a library sale. For being cheap it was a good read. I didn't find it particularly spooky or creepy and it felt rather a bit lackluster. Overall it was fair.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ghosts of 2 runaway slaves visit Teddy's sister Vicki, one wanting to possess her

[Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay young adult book which teaches that we shouldn't pre-judge people.

[Congetta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another book reader with reference to the Underground Railroad. This one was unexpected. It was a quick, simple, decent read.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well-written, but definitely intended for younger audiences and a bit too spooky.

[Elevetha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhere between 2 and 3 stars. Wish I'd read this when I was younger, I think I would have liked it more.

[Avery Vance · Rating 1 out of 5]

no

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ted's five-year-old sister is talking to someone no one else can see, until Ted sees another invisible being. Are they seeing ghosts? If so, who were they?

[Cynthia]

Not what unexpected, I'm a good way. Scary! And I like the part at the end about censure.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

So my daughter wanted me to read this book. I was pleasantly surprised. The story was good and funny. I don't typically like historical books but this has just enough to keep it entertaining.

[Lina Paykar · Rating 2 out of 5]

"It's not fair, she says. I know it's not fair honey. But this isn't fair either. Can't you see how scared that little girl is inside you? She's got her own life to live."

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This has some dated language and ideas. It was a very gripping story, but I was a little annoyed by the "parents don't believe their kids" trope that appears throughout.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this when I was in HS , it was such a good plot twist towards the end I was NOT expecting. It almost made me cry

[Stephanie Fuentes · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around, written by Vivian Vande Velde, is set in the 1980's during the Modern Era, the 12 year-old main character, Ted lives in an old house of their ancestors in New York. He begins to wonder why his sister is acting weird.Ted is a curious. I think Ted is curious because in the book he called his grandparent because he wanted to know about what was happening (pg 98) He was also curious because he searched for the things the grandparents told him about when he didn't even need to solve the issue. I also think he is outgoing. I think he is outgoing because he is really nice towards his sister and his cousin (pg. 112) He was nice enough and his cousin Jaclyn helped him out with the problem he had. A final character trait for Ted is also helpful. His sister was having some problems seeing ghost and was scared so he helped out. The story took place in his house mostly. Vickie his sister was supposed to be sleeping but instead she decided to sit on the step because her "friend" wanted to watch TV but she was with nobody. Ted started thinking about what was happening and he immediately thought his sister was seeing ghosts, the nights went on and he started dreaming with the ghost they were powerful the older one tried drowning him in his dream. He talked to his cousin and she was scared of the house for the same reason because she saw ghosts, Ted talked with his grandparents and apparently there was a journal in his house. Ted found some stuff about two people dying.
I think this book was interesting because I enjoy mystery and fiction. One theme that could describe this book is Face Your Fears. I think that could be a theme because Ted is a little scared of the ghosts but that didn't stop him from doing what he had to. Another theme for this book is Make Good Decisions, Help others. You may find out why that's one of them if you read the book. This book is spooky. It is a little scary that there is ghosts trying to tell you something and ghosts living in your home. It is also mysterious. I think it is mysterious because It is like a puzzle you have to solve what the issue is. One quote that can catch you attention is when Vickie the sister says, "Marella wanted to watch TV, she didn't like it much anyways" I think this quote meant a lot to Ted because he knew there was something up with Vickie. If there was no one with her that would be weird and that is what Ted thought. It was also weird for his brother he thought there was something strange going on but he didn't really care. This quote made me think that Vickie was technically not alone. That would be weird because who else is with her. I would give this book a 8.5/10 because it was good but not excellent
I think Ted and I are somehow similar we both share the same trait, outgoing. I am also nice towards my family and my friends. In the text it said he was close with his cousin, Jaclyn because they we nice to each other and were very friendly when her mom would baby sit Ted (pg. 78) I like this book because of the kind of spooky part in it, like when the ghost was drowning Ted in his dreams and he ended throwing up when he woke up. Something I didn't like about that book that is was suspenseful and it kept you waiting. I recommend this book to someone who likes books that keep you waiting and are a little spooky.
SPOILER ALERT
At the end in the book, Ted and Jaclyn make a circle with mirrors, played opera, put plates down next to each mirror, put candles and used holy water. This was supposed to make the two ghosts get away, It didn't work. After that was over they retried when the brother came home. I didn't work. (pg 110-115) The ghost Adah (the mother of Marella) was trying to tell something to Ted by pointing at the ditch. After a while they noticed what she was saying. Marella was in Vickie's body and didn't want to get out. At the end Ted and Adah were holding hands so she go somewhere in peace. Marella didn't want to go but she also was gonna miss her mom if she didn't go. Adah told her to give Vickie her life back. She ended up letting go of Vickie and Adah let go of Ted. They left in peace. Pg. 147

[James Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is about Ted (12 yrs. Old), Zach (16), and Vicki, who is in kindergarten. They all live in a house that's about 150 years old.

The problems start when Vicki starts talking to a friend, Marella, who no one else can see, and then when the “bad lady” (as Vicki calls her), causes Vicki to have nightmares and then say that the “bad lady” went after Ted (and, during that time, he was having a nightmare of his own.)

It turns out a girl cousin of Ted's was at their house when she was five years old and she also saw the old lady and Marella. Then Ted manages to find out that their house was involved in the underground railroad in the past, and that there's a journal kept by a woman involved in that.

Unfortunately, the ghost doesn't seem to want Ted to get hold of the diary.

An interesting and very educational part of the book revolves around a diary entry that Ted reads, the diary belonging probably to the old lady ghost. It tells about a runaway slave that took refuge in their barn and how they helped him. The way it's written will help bring some idea of the horror of slavery to young readers who don't know much about it.

The diary entries go on to tell how Ted's great-great grandmother ended up becoming even more involved in helping slaves escape. It begins to look like two other runaways Ted's grandmother helped could be the old lady and the young ghost. The novel goes on to describe more about the realities of slavery.

The story gets even more complex, though, revealing the actual reason why things are going on the way they are. Ted will have to make a great leap of trust in order to help his sister, and people from the past have to adjust to their own realities.

This is an excellent book, both as a ghost story and as an examination of just what slavery was like and what the underground railroad was like. Much more than a simple ghost story. Much more.

[Kitty Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fantastic title: There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around. For an author who claims to be no good at titles, this one piqued my interest immediately (not to mention the fact that Vivian Vande Velde was, and still is, one of my favorite authors from my childhood).

Ted, the young protagonist of the story, finds himself wrapped up in a ghostly mystery when his sister, Vicki, starts having nightmares and seeing a young girl and "bad lady" around their house. With the help of his cousin Jaclyn, and the begrudging involvement of his older brother, Zachary, Ted works to uncover what's going on.

Vivian Vande Velde is a master of the short story genre, with a twist at the end of every story. Here is no exception, though the twist may not have quite the same impact when it's at the end of a longer story. It certainly wasn't bad, but I do believe that Velde's writing lends itself more to short stories than novels.

That said, her characters are believable, never too annoying or unrealistic, and the story flows well. There are some genuinely spooky moments and some genuinely funny ones - something Velde does exceptionally well, mixing good humor with good horror.

A treat for younger kids - spooky ghosts, annoying siblings, and a dash of a historical mystery mixed in.

[Christina Vo]

I remember buying this book during the memorable "book fair week" in 5th grade. I was going through a paranormal phase, reading about everything and anything that had to do with ghosts or "the other side".
This book kept me captivated and on the edge of my little 5th grade seat for days. While my teacher taught a lesson about the different kinds of clouds, I secretly held this book below my desk, out of my teacher's line of vision, and busied myself in chapter after chapter of the mysteries of Vicki and her ghost friend, Marella.
Even after I finished this book, I could not stop thinking about it. As a sister to an older brother, I became paranoid that there was a ghost watching and following me, also. I couldn't sleep for weeks after reading this. Was the content too beyond my 10 years of life? Possibly. Was I just a sensitive little girl who was easily frightened? Maybe.
I randomly came across this book today while cleaning out my bookshelves. I reacted to seeing the cover of this book as a victim with PTSD reacts to hearing loud crashes. It brought back feelings of fear, anxiety, excitement, and did I say fear?
Overall, I would say that this is a good book that helped prepare my young self to novels such as those by Stephen King. Kind of like training wheels.

[Cathleen Ash]

Have you ever seen or heard a ghost? Do you know someone who has? Well, Ted knows someone who has - and he didn't even go to a haunted house, and there was no storm, and no one ever died in the house where his family has lived forever, but still - his little sister saw a ghost.
Vicki sees Marella - and no one else can, but Vicki considers Marella to be her friend. Ted, and his older brother Zach think Vicki's gone bonkers and is making up an imaginary friend, just to get out of trouble.
At breakfast, right before school, Zach is trying to stab the invisible Marella with his fork, and Vicki screams at him to stop it. She reaches over and knocks Zach's orange juice over his science homework. Of course, Vicki says she was trying to keep Marella from knocking the glass over. Even Vicki’s mom doesn’t believe that one.
Marella swears it true, but it’s time for school.
Zach turns in his soggy science homework, and Ted keeps working on his social studies paper – but his heart isn’t in it. He’s wondering instead: What should I do when There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around? By Vivian Van Velde.

[John Fannin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Vivian Vande Velde is remarkable.Its about a family living in a house where a little kid's little sister is seeing things that cannot be explained. The little sister has been seeing this unknown thing and her brother wanted to get to the bottom of the footsteps his beeen hearing and the person that his little sister has been describing. As he found out, through his research, his house use to be where the slaves stayed when they where traveling during the underground railroad epidemic. The ghost that has been following his sister around was a little girl who had died in the creek in their backyard. The house was exorcist so the evil ghost, which was an old woman, would stay away from the little girl ghost. Overall the book was exciting and mysterious.

[Wealhtheow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ted is just trying to get through fifth grade, but his younger sister's imaginary friend starts making that difficult. It was bad enough when Vicki pretended "Marella" was sitting in chairs and talking to her, but then she started sleeping with a hammer under her bed to protect against another imaginary friend. Then Ted himself gets attacked by an unseen force, and he begins to suspect that they aren't Vicki's imaginary friends...they're ghosts.

Spooky but mostly sad, and most of the scares are because of a misunderstanding. There's a useful historical tie-in that could help teach kids about slavery and the Underground Railroad. Meant for a young YA audience.

[Sara-Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of the very few Vivian Vande Velde books I haven't read. She is one of my favorite authors. This book was a little different from some of her other works in that it was middle grade, and the protagonist was a boy. That being said, Vande Velde delivered, as usual. I was surprised how truly creepy some of the sections were! One thing I love about Vande Velde is that she never "writes down" (as someone might talk down) to her readers, even her younger ones. She doesn't stop to ask, is this situation too complicated, or frightening, or intense, but instead just writes an excellent story that happens to be for a younger audience. A quick and enjoyable read!

[Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

No one in the family seems to be too concerned with Vicki when she gets an imaginary friend, Marella. But when that friend turns out to be a ghost from the past, Ted has no choice but to discover why Marella has chosen to haunt his sister. As Ted searches, he discovers his house was used to hide slaves during the Underground Railroad. And Marella was one of those slaves.

I love how this book combines history with a spooky ghost story. I think there is great value in a book that can teach kids about history, while still telling a fun and entertaining story.

Content warning: none.

[Titis Wardhana · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lama bener rasanya nyelesein baca buku ini...

Rumah Ted tiba2 dihantui. Semua berawal dari Vicki, adik Ted, yang bilang kalau dia punya teman bernama Marella. Semua menganggap kalau itu hanya teman khayalan Vicki, sampai berbagai peristiwa aneh menimpa Ted.

Meski cuman 150 hlm., tapi rasanya bacanya ndet2an alias gak lancar. Kayaknya gara2 terjemahannya yang sangat Indonesia sekali, misalnya: Nah, kamu perlu mendapatkan bantuan untuk membalikkan papan panel itu atau tidak?
Lalu pemakaian kamu dan kau yang sangat tidak konsisten sampai bikin pusing. Yah mungkin gara2 buku jadul kali :-D