One for Sorrow: A Ghost Story (Paperback)
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Staff Reviews
A frightening and satisfying ghost story set in 1918/1919 as WWI comes to a close and the Spanish Influenza epedemic causes thousands of deaths in the U.S. Annie Browne, a new student at the Pearce Academy for Girls, meets obnoxious, petulant Elsie Schneider on her first day of school. Elsie herself soon becomes a victim of the flu, and continues to plague sweet Annie from the grave, vowing to be her best friend forever. With help from a hospital caregiver, Annie finds a way to help Elsie rest in peace.
— LeoDescription
“Another historical and chilling success” of revenge from beyond the grave during the 1918 influenza outbreak from ghost story master Mary Downing Hahn. (Kirkus)
“The novel’s blend of historical drama, the supernatural, and the intricacies of adolescent friendship is a gripping combination.” —Publishers Weekly
“Hahn clearly knows her apples about writing ghost stories.” —Booklist
“Another historical and chilling success.” —Kirkus Reviews
Against the ominous backdrop of the 1918 influenza epidemic, new girl Annie is claimed as best friend by Elsie, the tattletale, liar, and thief of the class. But Annie would rather spend time with the other girls, since Elsie is so mean. When Elsie dies of influenza, Annie thinks she’s free of her torment—until the bully returns to reclaim Annie’s friendship and take revenge.
About the Author
Mary Downing Hahn’s many acclaimed novels include such beloved ghost stories as Wait Till Helen Comes, Deep and Dark and Dangerous, and Took. A former librarian, she has received more than fifty child-voted state awards for her work. She lives in Columbia, Maryland, with a cat named Nixi.
Praise For…
"Hahn’s story is characteristically steeped in eerie atmosphere, and the novel’s blend of historical drama, the supernatural, and the intricacies of adolescent friendship is a gripping combination." —PW
"Hahn is a veteran author who clearly knows her apples about writing ghost stories, as this, her latest inventive page-turner, evidences... Shivers aplenty, but also genuine emotion that will invite empathy." — Booklist
"Another historical and chilling success." —Kirkus
"Another solid addition to Hahn’s oeuvre, this would also make a spine-chilling pair with Cohen’s The Doll’s Eye." —Bulletin
