There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around
3.5/5
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About this ebook
When Ted’s five-year-old sister, Vicki, invents an imaginary friend, no one is too concerned . . . except that Vicki’s friend has the never-popular name of Marella, and unlike most imaginary friends, Marella can move things. Ted might think Marella is a ghost, but why would a ghost haunt Vicki, of all people? And why would she suddenly move into a house Ted’s family has lived in for ages? And why is Marella terrified of another ghost, a dark figure who seems to be hunting Ted? Hilarious, haunting, and unexpectedly moving, There’s a Dead Person Following My Sister Around is Vivian Vande Velde at her frightening best.
Vivian Vande Velde
Vivian Vande Velde has written many books for teen and middle grade readers, including Heir Apparent, User Unfriendly, All Hallow's Eve: 13 Stories, Three Good Deeds, Now You See It ..., and the Edgar Award–winning Never Trust a Dead Man. She lives in Rochester, New York. Visit her website at www.vivianvandevelde.com.
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Reviews for There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around
34 ratings7 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Ok, here's the deal. I'm such a fan of Vande Velde's fairy tales that I'm reading her ghost stories, too, even though I'm not such a fan of that genre.
This is a ghost story like none I've read before: creative and truly mysterious & intriguing. It's also historical fiction, and explores an aspect of an 'event' that I've never read about before. To tell you what historical event we learn more about here would be spoilery, but I do want to say it's one that has been written about many times before, but never ime from this particular perspective.
This is filed under 'juvenile' in my library, which means 7 year olds will readily encounter it, and it's short & appealing. However, the pub. note says 'age 10 up' and I agree that's the minimum Don't censor, but if your child chooses it, and is sensitive and not yet 12, or younger than 10, I strongly recommend you read it also. Heck, read it now anyway, whether or not you have children. Good book. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5What a fantastic title: There's a Dead Person Following My Sister Around. For an author who claims to be no good at titles, this one piqued my interest immediately (not to mention the fact that Vivian Vande Velde was, and still is, one of my favorite authors from my childhood).
Ted, the young protagonist of the story, finds himself wrapped up in a ghostly mystery when his sister, Vicki, starts having nightmares and seeing a young girl and "bad lady" around their house. With the help of his cousin Jaclyn, and the begrudging involvement of his older brother, Zachary, Ted works to uncover what's going on.
Vivian Vande Velde is a master of the short story genre, with a twist at the end of every story. Here is no exception, though the twist may not have quite the same impact when it's at the end of a longer story. It certainly wasn't bad, but I do believe that Velde's writing lends itself more to short stories than novels.
That said, her characters are believable, never too annoying or unrealistic, and the story flows well. There are some genuinely spooky moments and some genuinely funny ones - something Velde does exceptionally well, mixing good humor with good horror.
A treat for younger kids - spooky ghosts, annoying siblings, and a dash of a historical mystery mixed in. - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Very rarely does a book actually creep me out, but Vivian Vande Velde continues to do so. This book is creepy, funny, and sensible all put together to form...awesomeness. I love all the characters, especially Ted, the main character. There's enough humor to keep it from being overdramatic, but enough seriousness to make it scary, and the plot pans out perfectly with a great twist ending.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This suspenseful quick read is perfect! I love the way the past is connected to the present. Ted follows his instincts in order to find out why ghosts are following his little sister, and the twist at the end is unexpected. I loved Ted's quest to find out the answers to his family's past and how he would do anything to protect his little sister. Many students will enjoy the historical portion of this great read.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I liked the way this book explored the intersection between past and present in the landscape as well as the peoplescape.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Ted's five year old sister starts seeing ghosts. At first everyone thinks Marella is just a an invisible friend, but Viki insists she's real. When Ted starts seeing and hearing things for himself, he starts to believe her, and then begins to wonder why a ghost is suddenly so interested in his little sister.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Ted's sister can see ghosts, but they don't seem to be very friendly, so Ted has to solve the mystery of their death and free his sister from being possessed.