The Doll in the Garden: A Ghost Story

*spoilers!*

Holy CRAP I was NOT expecting this book to be so good!! And I'm really not even sure why, but for some reason I thought it would be dull. ..... I was definitely mistaken. Big time.

I don't think this is a *scary* ghost story, exactly.... not the kind that would keep me awake at night, anyway. But it's certainly *spooky* and very, very intriguing. The ghost girl from the front cover doesn't make her first appearance until almost halfway through the book, but the ghostly cat and the beautiful doll that holds some kind of mystery, they pulled me into the story long before the ghost girl appeared.

I knew that Miss Cooper would end up having something to do with the whole thing, but I was surprised with her actual relation to it show more all.... And OMG the ending was so SAD!!! I bawled, not just cried but seriously bawled. Going back to see Louisa and give her the doll back, and then the scene at the gravesite.... Wow. WOW. show less

While the story was simple, I really felt the atmosphere of the book and thought it especially shined on its message about death. I'm actually sad that I didn't read it as a kid because the way Ashley and her mom talk about death is great for kids under 12 years, as it doesn't sugar-coat death but instead talks about how do deal with it at a young age and accept one's own mortality. I may be biased in my rating because I love these types of stories and Mary Downing Hahn, but if a horror-lite book is what you want to read, then this is a great choice!

Synopsis: Ashley and her mother have recently moved into a new home following the death of her father. While exploring a garden nearby, she finds a doll buried in a box. Accompanying the doll is a mysterious. Circumstances soon lead her to believe that the doll is the property of a ghost that she sometimes hears crying in the night.

My Rating: 4/5

I ended up having a good time with this book though it was a middle-grade and clearly meant for a younger reader than I am.

I found Ashley to be annoying but largely because she acted like a kid, which is exactly what she is. She reminded me in places of my kids and the reasons they give for making bad choices and their thought processes. I think she was really well done as a middle-grade show more character and I found her authentic. Still, as an adult she was frustrating and an often annoying protagonist to follow.

My favorite thing about this book was the explorations of grief. Ashley and her mom grieving her dad as well as the grief surrounding the ghost character just were wonderfully done. I cried several times through this book. I loved how grief was dealt with and the discussions about the complex feelings that don't just include loss but anger and guilt as well. It tugged at my heart and I really appreciated the message it was trying to give while still being appropriate for the intended audience.

One of the things I loved about this book, and I think this is a slight spoiler, is that there really is a ghost. In some kids book the ghost that is suspected isn't real but is something very normal that is making people think there is a ghost. This book had a ghost and she was wonderful.

The mystery of why the doll was buried and who the doll belonged to was pretty predictable for an adult reader but I think this book would be well enjoyed by it's intended audience.

It is mildly spooky because there is a ghost but I didn't think it was scary and I think all but the most sensitive middle-grade readers could read it without being scared.

Overall, I would recommend this to child readers. It was a bit too young for me to love as an adult reader but it was also a book I would recommend to my kids. show less

Lately I've been starting to read this author. Turns out that [b:The Doll in the Garden|541521|The Doll in the Garden|Mary Downing Hahn|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1440285565l/541521._SX50_.jpg|528879] fits one of my favorite themes, that of Inter-generational Friendship, perfectly. It's a ghost story, ok... or it could easily be redefined as a time travel story... but the deeper themes are all about being never too old (or too young) to learn how let go of regrets re' the loss of a loved one. Very quick read, well-done, universal and timeless.

Ashley and her mom move to Monkton Mills to start a new life following the death of her father. Ashley misses her father, and is worried about her mother. She hopes the move will help her mom become less sad, and that they can have a happy life again. They rent the upper floor of a house owned by Miss Cooper, a cranky, unfriendly old lady. Miss Cooper lets Ashley know from the beginning that she dislikes children, cats and just about everything else.

The first day at the house, Ashley sees a white cat in the hedges in the backyard, and follows it into an overgrown, old rose garden. While investigating the garden, she also meets Kristi, a little girl who lives next door. While playing in the garden, they discover an old secret buried for show more many years. Ghostly crying in the night and weird occurrences pull the girls into the past where they have a chance to help right old wrongs.

This story is beautifully told, and well written. The landlady is a cantankerous old biddy. Kristi and Ashley have squabbles as neighbor kids will. Add a ghostly secret to the mix and it's just a fun spooky read!

I have read several books by Mary Downing Hahn, and all of them are well-written and awesome stories.

This tale is a ghost story, but there is nothing inappropriate for middle grade kids. As an adult, I even enjoyed the story. It would be a perfect beach or summer afternoon read.

Just a lovely book!

My rating: 8/10
Ages 10 show less

Every time a Mary Downing Hahn book crosses my path, I wish I had read it when I was little. So I took this one home and read it last night. Enjoyed it quite a bit, actually! I had a few quibbles with the grammar, but I will recommend this book to youngsters at my store. It is spooky but not really "scarey."

Every time a Mary Downing Hahn book crosses my path, I wish I had read it when I was little. So I took this one home and read it last night. Enjoyed it quite a bit, actually! I had a few quibbles with the grammar, but I will recommend this book to youngsters at my store. It is spooky but not really "scarey."