Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn receives praise for its eerie atmosphere and well-crafted suspense, making it an engaging read for young adults. However, some critics feel the character development is somewhat lacking, and the ending can be predictable. Despite these flaws, it remains a popular choice for fans of ghost stories.

Readers who enjoy suspenseful, supernatural tales with well-drawn young characters will relish Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn. Ideal for fans of Lois Duncan's Down a Dark Hall and R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series, this novel is perfect for middle-grade readers who crave spooky mysteries with emotional depth.

In Wait Till Helen Comes, siblings Molly and Michael navigate family tensions while encountering the ghost of a young girl named Helen after moving to a renovated church in the countryside with their mother, stepfather, and hostile stepsister, Heather. As Heather becomes increasingly obsessed with Helen's grave, Molly must confront her fears to protect Heather from the ghost's potentially malevolent influence. The book deals with themes of family, loss, and overcoming guilt.

Mysterious / Dark / Unnerving / Suspenseful / Emotional

- Wait Till Helen Comes was published in 1986 and has become one of Mary Downing Hahn's most popular works, celebrated for its ability to engage young readers with its eerie atmosphere and complex sibling relationships.
- The novel won the 1989 Young Reader's Choice Award in the Intermediate category, highlighting its popularity and appeal among middle-grade audiences.
- Mary Downing Hahn drew inspiration from her own experiences as a child when crafting the ghostly and suspenseful elements present in the book, combining her love for history and storytelling.

**Molly**  
A twelve-year-old girl with a vivid imagination and deep sensitivity, who often reads and writes creatively. She is troubled by fears and anxieties, which are intensified by her supernatural experiences.

**Michael**  
Molly's ten-year-old brother, who is rational and interested in natural sciences. He struggles to get along with his stepsister Heather and is skeptical of supernatural occurrences.

**Heather**  
Seven-year-old stepsister to Molly and Michael, cunning and manipulative, who seeks her father Dave's undivided attention. Her secretive behavior and vulnerability reveal deeper personal struggles.

**Mom / Jean**  
A talented painter and mother to Molly and Michael, who moves to the country for artistic inspiration. She navigates the challenges of her family's new dynamics with her marriage to Dave.

**Dave**  
Molly and Michael's stepfather, who dotes on his daughter Heather and is often blind to her faults. He aims to maintain family harmony while prioritizing Heather's emotional needs.

**Mr. Simmons**  
The caretaker of Saint Swithin’s cemetery, knowledgeable about its history and inhabitants. He cautions the children about the dangers of the graveyard while hinting at possible supernatural elements.

**Officer Greene**  
A local policeman who is skeptical but open to discussing the supernatural rumors surrounding Saint Swithin’s cemetery. He provides a balanced perspective on the possibility of ghostly activities.

Mary Downing Hahn

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