The Old Willis Place

Fiction | Novel | Published in 2004

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Before You Read

Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

Chapters 5-8

Chapters 9-12

Chapters 13-17

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

At the beginning of The Old Willis Place, Lissa has a clear idea of what ghosts are like. How do Diana and Georgie subvert her expectations, and how might this affect the way she thinks of ghosts—and death—from now on?

How does Mary Downing Hahn use “Dee Dee” (Lissa’s diary) as a means of exposition throughout the novel? Is the story improved by the inclusion of Lissa’s perspective? Why or why not?

What are some ways in which Hahn hints at Diana and Georgie being ghosts before the reveal? Include examples from the text.