Mary Downing Hahn

"A witch called Old Auntie is lurking near Dan's family's new home. He doesn't believe in her at first, but is forced to accept that she is real and take action when his little sister, Erica, is 'took' to become Auntie's slave for the next fifty years"--

A Ghost Story

Took

Melissa Palmer

Book #100 Read in 2015
Took by Mary Downing Hahn (YA)

Downing Hahn is an author great, spooky books for middle and high schoolers. Took is no exception. Daniel and Erica are upset when their parents, due to money issues, move them from CT to West Virginia. The children are not welcomed by their new school mates. They both become withdrawn and Erica becomes even odder about her doll, Little Erica, seemingly believing it's alive. Urban legends abound in their new hometown, about a witch called Auntie who steals little girls to make them her servant and Bag of Bones, her evil "pet". Erica was "took" by Auntie and Daniel needs to find a way to get her back home. This book is spooky, creepy and a highly engaging quick read. I received a copy of this book from Amazon Vine in exchange for a honest review.

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Rashi T

I had chills while reading this book! such a goodie. the suspense with Selene, the whole erica character, and daniels maturity clicks in so so well together. I've read this 4 times now and every time I do, I have nightmares of the old auntie and her pet cannibalist. The part where their mom stays up looking for erica is just overwhelming and wholesome at the same time. Daniel will do anything to protect his sister which is what I love about him. Although Erica is somewhat brave towards the end of the book, which is a light "turn" in the story, and everyone loves turns! Amazing book!

Anna V

The first time I read it, it seemed a wonderful ghost story. That was three years ago. Now, when I read it, I see some faults:
— It's too short.
 A book with a plot like that needs to be longer. The end was extremely unsatisfactory to the point of boredom. In a couple of chapters, the problem is solved and Auntie is dead and everybody is happy. To be honest, I found it stupid. The answer is too easy, so much that someone else could've done it already.
— Monotone.
A lack of cliffhangers and plot twists. The story is just a plain line.
— Cliché
A brave character that solves his/hers/theirs friend/family member/enemy/crush/lover from the grips of a bad witch/wizard/king/soldier/ruler. Sound familiar?
Those are the 3 main reasons I gave the book 2 stars.

Gabriela Roxana 

3.5

While this book lacked a real mystery so we didn't receive any big reveal, it surely had tension and anticipation, which drew an amazing tale. I think the book concentrated more on telling a folk tale, one of that urban tales some city have. I truly enjoyed this one, although maybe not as much as others of this author's works.

Dannie W

For use in schools and libraries only. A witch called Old Auntie is lurking near Dan's family's new home. He doesn't believe in her at first, but is forced to accept that she is real and take action when his little sister, Erica, is "took" to become Auntie's slave for the next fifty years.

Took A Ghost Story

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