Deep and Dark and Dangerous

Hahn, Mary Downing. (2007) Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. 978-0-547-07645-4

PLOT SUMMARY

Thirteen year old Ali spends the summer with her aunt and young cousin at the cabin by the lake where her mother and aunt used to spend each summer when they were young girls. Ali and her cousin meet a mean spirited girl who tends to bring out the worst in her young cousin, causing friction in the family. This new girl holds the key to the mysterious events that are happening to them during their stay at the lake.

CRITICAL EVALUATION

Well written story with quick pacing that makes this a fun pageturner. The mystery unravels stylishly, although it is predictable that the mean spirited girl who causes trouble between the family is a ghost that wants justice. There is just enough spookiness to make you tingle, but not enough to make you want to put the book down because you're too scared to continue. Realistic characters with idiosyncracies make you sympathize with their plights. Themes of acceptance and justice prevail.

READER'S ANNOTATION

When Ali finds a picture of her mother and aunt and a mysterious person torn out of it, she is intrigued to discover who it is. A summer vacation at the cabin by the lake where the picture was taken only opens up more questions. Especially when a mean spirited little girl starts hanging around her and her cousin, causing friction between them. Somehow the little girl is connected to the mystery behind the strange occurrences and she must figure out who this girl is and why she won't leave them alone.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Born December 9, 1937, Mary Downing Hahn did not publish her first book until 1979 when she was 41. Before becoming an author she was a children's librarian and has since written over twenty novels for teens/young adults. She has received numerous awards for her work.

GENRE

Mystery

CURRICULUM TIES

Ethics

Have students discuss the ethical aspect of the story--letting the mystery of the girl's death go unsolved, what should the mother and aunt have done when the accident happened, should they still be punished.

BOOKTALKING IDEAS

How far would you go to solve the mystery of something that happened 30 years ago? How would you feel if you're mother was somehow involved in the accidental death of someone else?

READING LEVEL/INTEREST AGE

12 and up

CHALLENGE ISSUES

Death/murder

CHALLENGE DEFENSE IDEAS

Library policies. Show parents resources on bibliotherapy dealing with death.

WHY INCLUDE THIS BOOK?

Suspenseful and well written. I'm not normally a reader of mystery, but this one was definitely a good way to start.