Maureen Swanson is the scourge of the neighborhood. At age nine, she already has a reputation as a hard slapper, a loud laugher, a liar, and a stay...
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reviews
Mar 28, 2008
Katherine
rated it: 
Got this one at D.I. too. It was a fast and easy read. Brandon and I were looking through cover art and titles to see what intrigued us, as well as the kids. I liked the title of this one. It was interesting, and a different way to present the naughty and "wickedness" of being selfish. I think that little ones could benefit from it. Oh, and telling lies and the consquences of that is thrown in there too.
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Apr 23, 2011
Michelle
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I read this as a child, and the story has stuck with me ever since. The creepy portraits of the sisters with the funny names (Lucrece, Ingrid, Maude, etc.) hanging in an abandoned old mansion sucked me right in. Even though I didn't remember the title, recently through the power of Google I was able to type in a few plot details, and voila, rediscovered the title(s) of the book. Turns out my library owned a copy, so I had to check it out.
Written in 1968, this came out well before t More...
Written in 1968, this came out well before t More...
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May 06, 2010
This was a delightful read, filled with wonderful images. This is a story of a bratty, nasty little girl who rarely listens to anyone and is fascinated with a crumbled down mansion called "The Old Messerman Place."
Disobeying her parents, she finds her way into the mansion where she gets into trouble and finds that her nastiness nets her the same treatment in spades.
There is nothing in depth about this book. It is an easy, breezy, delightful read and I recommend More...
Disobeying her parents, she finds her way into the mansion where she gets into trouble and finds that her nastiness nets her the same treatment in spades.
There is nothing in depth about this book. It is an easy, breezy, delightful read and I recommend More...
Sep 14, 2010
Alicia
rated it:
I read this when I was young, and it was very satisfyingly creepy. I'm not sure how it stands up over time, but it was republished about 7 years ago, so this is a good sign. Also, something I just learned: Mary Chase also wrote the play Harvey, on which the James Stewart movie was based. This is also the edition I had with interesting illustrations that added to the overall aethetic feel. The new edition has different illustrations so it might be worth looking for an old copy of the original
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Dec 06, 2008
Elizabeth
rated it: 
A kind of strange children's book about a young girl who is usually mean to everyone. She walks by an abandoned house on her way too and from school wishing that she lived in the house. One day she manages to get inside and explores the house and discovers that the house actually has people and creatures living in it. In the end she does something nice just because someone asked her to and realizes that she enjoys being nice.
Aug 03, 2010
Mike (the Paladin)
rated it:
Fun little read for kids. A "nasty and misbehaving" little girl meets seven nasty, selfish, mean little girls who have stolen some magic...from a leprechaun and (of course) used it selfishly. They have no care for anyone even their parents who tried to teach them better...but sadly spoiled them. When they return (from their magical journey) long after their parents are dead they only morn over the state of their "nice clothes". Through all this our "first present day"
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Mar 15, 2008
Becky
rated it:
I'd never heard of this "forgotten classic" before I picked up this retitled reissue. I see now that I wasn't missing much.
The story rambles and meanders. The wicked, wicked ladies seem like they could be much more wicked, though I did enjoy the way they were introduced (via a series of portraits that hang in their ruined old house). I wish there had been other little gimmicks like that in the book, to make it stand out.
If you want a book about running around in More...
The story rambles and meanders. The wicked, wicked ladies seem like they could be much more wicked, though I did enjoy the way they were introduced (via a series of portraits that hang in their ruined old house). I wish there had been other little gimmicks like that in the book, to make it stand out.
If you want a book about running around in More...
Jul 17, 2010
Melissa
rated it: 
I tracked this book down on Google; I recalled it when trying to come up with ideas for Liam's Summer Book Club. I read it in 4th grade and it made a huge impression on me for some reason!... funny. It's amazing how specifically I remember some parts!
Sep 26, 2009
Mittens
rated it:
thrift store gem!
"Maureen Swanson is the scourge of the neighborhood. At age nine, she already has a reputation as a hard slapper, a loud laugher, a liar, and a stay-after-schooler."
there is a bonus leprechaun in this book.
"Maureen Swanson is the scourge of the neighborhood. At age nine, she already has a reputation as a hard slapper, a loud laugher, a liar, and a stay-after-schooler."
there is a bonus leprechaun in this book.
Nov 25, 2010
Leah
rated it:
I wish I had unearthed this books about two years ago....I remember really liking it when I was 9 or 10. I gave it to Victoria to read & she is reading it to humor me. It was a fun little story back in the day!
Apr 14, 2011
Dawn
rated it:
Read this for the first time when I was in the 5th/6th grade. Loved it; one of my favorites.
Feb 08, 2010
Margaret
rated it:
A reread of a lost childhood book -- I hadn't read it in probably twenty or twenty-five years. Troublemaker Maureen Swanson gets into trouble herself when she trespasses in an old abandoned house and gets mixed up with the seven mysterious sisters who inhabit it. It's not as scary as I remembered it (what a shock), and I wished the plot were a little more complex and interestingly worked out, but the atmosphere Chase creates is still deliciously creepy and memorable.
Mar 02, 2008
Michelle BF
rated it:
My 8-year-old daughter was enthralled by this book. It has great characters who are not good at all but mean girls. There is a shift in the main character as well as some time travel, a leprechaun and 7 heartless sisters who put a science fiction bent to this kids book by turning themselves into pigeons. I don't think I'll feel the same about pigeons from now on...
Wicked, Wicked Ladies in the Haunted House
Wicked, Wicked Ladies in the Haunted House
Sep 28, 2011
Timothy
rated it:
This book was awesome. So imaginative, with many scary moments. I loved the bratty MC and reveled in her comeuppance. The first half set such a high bar for me, the second half lowered it a little. Nevertheless, it's going onto the shelf of my absolute faves!
Feb 19, 2009
Amy
rated it:
*(pigeon sisters- favorite characters)*
a favorite childhood read. an ornry girl dreams of being a member of the family that once lived in the spooky, old, boarded up Messerman house. She runs into a dwarf and some ghostly portraits of some very not nice sisters once she ventures in. the portraits are sinister. original ghost story with a spooky atmosphere.
a favorite childhood read. an ornry girl dreams of being a member of the family that once lived in the spooky, old, boarded up Messerman house. She runs into a dwarf and some ghostly portraits of some very not nice sisters once she ventures in. the portraits are sinister. original ghost story with a spooky atmosphere.
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Apr 29, 2010
Hannah
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I adored this book as a kid. I can remember getting it in one of those book orders from school. I loved the days the teacher would say the orders were in, and pass out our books at days end! This was one of those books, and I have very fond memories of reading it and being spooked by the mysterious ladies in the portraits who moved.
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Jan 13, 2008
Greta
rated it:
Childhood favorite from my youthful days in the seventies. Features old fashioned Victorian Mansion, wicked sisters, also has a dwarf living under the house. Focuses on female selfishness and materialism. If anyone knows how to get hold of the cartoon video that was made in the seventies please let me know.
Greta
Greta
Apr 11, 2011
Kerry
rated it:
I think the title speaks for itself here, how can you resist "The Wicked Pigeon Ladies in the Garden"? I loved it, a simple yet magical story, plus there's a moral lesson as well. Pigeons, a leprechaun, moving pictures and time travel always make for a good mix.
Nov 06, 2009
Bonnie
rated it:
Fun read! This would be a great read-aloud for the kids during October. A nasty little girl is taught a lesson by some even nastier ladies from the past. Glad I discovered this treasure:)
Nov 13, 2008
Catherine
rated it:
This was my favorite book when I was ten years old. I loved the story of the bratty girl who learned an important lesson. I also love old houses (grew up in one), so this story captivated me.
Oct 29, 2010
Kaethe
rated it:
A bit dated. I love the wicked ladies, but the moral is a bit heavy-handed, as it often is in the real older kids books. I prefer fake-older books, they're more subversive.
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Feb 11, 2012
Feb 07, 2012
