Deep and Dark and Dangerous: A Ghost Story
on Goodreads (22,494)
What’s inside...
Mary Downing Hahn's supernatural tale unfolds in Maine, where a family vacation unveils the long-buried secret of a young girl's death. Thirteen-year-old Ali, despite her mother Claire's phobia of water, spends her vacation at a lake house with her Aunt Dulcie and niece Emma. The vacation takes a dark turn when Ali and Emma encounter Sissy, a spiteful child who reveals herself to be the ghost of Teresa, a girl who drowned mysteriously years ago when Claire and Dulcie were children. Sissy blames Claire and Dulcie for her death, and her ghostly presence turns the idyllic vacation into a chilling confrontation with the past.
Age
10-12
Length
200 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Alison 'Ali'
Emma
Dulcie
Teresa 'Sissy'
Discussion points
How do you think Ali felt when she discovered the truth about Sissy? What would you have done in her situation?
Why is it important to forgive others, as seen in the story? Can you think of a time you forgave someone?
What role does fear play in the characters' actions and decisions? Have you ever felt scared like Ali?
How does the setting of the lake house contribute to the mood of the story? Can you describe another setting that might change the mood?
What did you learn about friendship and trust from Ali, Emma, and Sissy’s experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences when possible.
Ask open-ended questions that prompt deeper thinking and connections with the characters' emotions and choices.
Discuss the historical and potentially unfamiliar elements in the book to give your child more context about the time period and setting.
Highlight the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters to discuss personal values and decision-making.
Create a comfortable and focused reading environment where discussions can take place naturally during and after reading the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Throughout the story, the protagonist Ali discovers secrets about her family's past, teaching readers about the consequences of hiding the truth.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be open and truthful in their interactions, understanding that honesty builds trust and resolves conflicts.
Example Lesson: Facing fears
Explanation: As the plot unfolds with eerie and supernatural elements, Ali learns to confront her fears, a theme that can help children recognize their own courage.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to handle challenging situations with bravery, applying this courage to any fears they encounter in real life, from starting a new school to standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: The value of compassion and understanding
Explanation: Ali’s interactions with a mysterious girl named Sissy showcase how understanding and empathy can resolve misunderstandings and build friendships.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being compassionate towards others’ feelings and situations, which can lead to more harmonious relationships with peers and family members.
Example Lesson: Resolving past conflicts
Explanation: The story emphasizes the need to address and resolve past issues, as demonstrated through the family's history that haunts the characters.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of addressing unresolved matters, helping them learn how to seek closure and peace in their personal experiences.
Example Lesson: Courage to seek the truth
Explanation: Ali’s determination to uncover the family secrets, despite her fears, highlights the importance of seeking the truth.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to be curious and persistent in seeking the truth about their questions or uncertainties in life.