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Closed for the Season
A contemporary thriller.
Two 13-year-old boys, Arthur and Logan, set out to solve the mystery of a murder that took place some years ago in the old house Logan's family has just moved into. The boys' quest takes them to the highest and lowest levels of society in their small Maryland town, and eventually to a derelict amusement park that is supposedly closed for the season.
Two 13-year-old boys, Arthur and Logan, set out to solve the mystery of a murder that took place some years ago in the old house Logan's family has just moved into. The boys' quest takes them to the highest and lowest levels of society in their small Maryland town, and eventually to a derelict amusement park that is supposedly closed for the season.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published June 15, 2009
374 people are currently reading
3837 people want to read
About the author
Mary Downing Hahn
71 books4,337 followersI grew up in a small shingled house down at the end of Guilford Road in College Park, Maryland. Our block was loaded with kids my age. We spent hours outdoors playing "Kick the Can" and "Mother, May I" as well as cowboy and outlaw games that usually ended in quarrels about who shot whom. In the summer, we went on day long expeditions into forbidden territory -- the woods on the other side of the train tracks, the creek that wound its way through College Park, and the experimental farm run by the University of Maryland.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
In elementary school, I was known as the class artist. I loved to read and draw but I hated writing reports. Requirements such as outlines, perfect penmanship, and following directions killed my interest in putting words on paper. All those facts -- who cared what the principal products of Chile were? To me, writing reports was almost as boring as math.
Despite my dislike of writing, I loved to make up stories. Instead of telling them in words, I told them in pictures. My stories were usually about orphans who ran away and had the sort of exciting adventures I would have enjoyed if my mother hadn't always interfered.
When I was in junior high school, I developed an interest in more complex stories. I wanted to show how people felt, what they thought, what they said. For this, I needed words. Although I wasn't sure I was smart enough, I decided to write and illustrate children's books when I grew up. Consequently, at the age of thirteen, I began my first book. Small Town Life was about a girl named Susan, as tall and skinny and freckle faced as I was. Unlike her shy, self conscious creator, however, Susan was a leader who lived the life I wanted to live -- my ideal self, in other words. Although I never finished Small Town Life, it marked the start of a lifelong interest in writing.
In high school, I kept a diary. In college, I wrote poetry and short stories and dreamed of being published in The New Yorker. Unfortunately, I didn't have the courage or the confidence to send anything there.
By the time my first novel was published, I was 41 years old. That's how long it took me to get serious about writing. The Sara Summer took me a year to write, another year to find a publisher, and yet another year of revisions before Clarion accepted it.
Since Sara appeared in 1979, I've written an average of one book a year. If I have a plot firmly in mind when I begin, the writing goes fairly quickly. More typically, I start with a character or a situation and only a vague idea of what's going to happen. Therefore, I spend a lot of time revising and thinking things out. If I'd paid more attention to the craft of outlining back in elementary school, I might be a faster writer, but, on the other hand, if I knew everything that was going to happen in a story, I might be too bored to write it down. Writing is a journey of discovery. That's what makes it so exciting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 766 reviews
April 22, 2017
what the hell possessed me to give this 5 stars???
what the fuck was i high on???? no, srsly bc reading this book was the most boring-est and shittiest experience ever.
i didn't think it was possible for me to give a book by Mary Downing Hahn less than three stars, but here i am rating this boring piece of garbage one star.
the writing and story was extremely childish and unrealistic for me. I KNOW, this is middle grade, but i've loved her other middle grade stories and they have never felt this childish, stupid, boring and super unrealistic to me.
this book is NOT a thriller. not once, while i was reading this book, did i feel thrilled.
June 6, 2014
Twelve-year-old Logan Forbes moves from Richmond, Virginia, to the small-town suburb of Bealesville the summer before seventh grade. A bookish boy, he’s looking forward to a fresh start and hopes of, for once, connecting with the in-crowd. No such luck! His next-door neighbor is Arthur Jenkins, a socially inept, slovenly misfit who’s the most unpopular kid in town. In addition, thanks to a slick real-estate agent, the Forbes have moved into the notorious “murder house,” where Myrtle Donaldson was murdered three years earlier.
Mrs. Donaldson had been the ticket taker at the now closed Magic Forest Amusement Park. When a huge sum turned up missing, Mrs. Donaldson was presumed to have stolen it; however, Arthur and his grandmother don’t think so. Everyone presumes that Mrs. Donaldson was killed by someone looking for the stolen loot. But soon Logan and Arthur investigate Mrs. Donaldson’s murder. Will what they find bring justice for Mrs. Donaldson? Or put the boys into danger themselves?
Mary Downing Hahn has a special talent for weaving scary and suspenseful stories for the middle-school set. You won’t be surprised to discover that Close for the Season won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery. But books like Closed for the Season, The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall, The Old Willis Place, and All the Lovely Bad Ones are well crafted enough to keep adults on their edge of their seats. Highly recommended.
Mrs. Donaldson had been the ticket taker at the now closed Magic Forest Amusement Park. When a huge sum turned up missing, Mrs. Donaldson was presumed to have stolen it; however, Arthur and his grandmother don’t think so. Everyone presumes that Mrs. Donaldson was killed by someone looking for the stolen loot. But soon Logan and Arthur investigate Mrs. Donaldson’s murder. Will what they find bring justice for Mrs. Donaldson? Or put the boys into danger themselves?
Mary Downing Hahn has a special talent for weaving scary and suspenseful stories for the middle-school set. You won’t be surprised to discover that Close for the Season won the Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Mystery. But books like Closed for the Season, The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall, The Old Willis Place, and All the Lovely Bad Ones are well crafted enough to keep adults on their edge of their seats. Highly recommended.
April 21, 2011
Are you looking for a bone-chilling story? Well, this is not for you. The cover may look scary, but it really is not. The only really scary part about this book is the cover itself, and how come the author put such a goth picture on a book that didn't even give me goosebumps? Well thinking back, I do remember where I got it, it was the school's book fair. No wonder, because that is public school for you, always trying to order preschool-friendly chapter books for 5th graders.
May 31, 2025
I know I keep changing the rating of this, but it really just wasn't good. The fact that it's also a little young for me might have to do with why I didn't like it as well.
July 30, 2022
I wasn't as into this book as I much as I am others by this author but this book was still good. It wasn't as exciting ad I hoped but it would be good for young readers who want a taste for thrillers.
March 11, 2010
Closed for the season is a very interresting book is a very fast read and you just get hook on it its a mistory book about a kid named Logan and his family who just move to this old house and he meet another kid named Arthur and he tell him that the oldlady that owned that house before him was muter in that house and then at first he thought that Arthur was this lame kid and he used to by a nerd boy in his old school so LOgan wanted to started a new life and get friend but the they started to look into the story of how Mrs. Donaldson die because a reporter came to taown to show the story in how that crime was never solve and the boys found a note of Mrs. Donaldson in the atic that said that someone rob for many years magic forest and she know who it was at she took the case full of money and hided some where and it was were she used to play with her daughter violent in the magic forest and before she said of the name it stop writing like someone stop her and that how the mestory started and the main suspected was Silas, violet's boyfreind and father of danny this bully in school at they end the mestory is solve the people who stold the money and kill Mrs. Donaldson went to jail and Arthur and Logan were heoros just before school started...
THis books was really interresting because it keeps you hook in it all book is you can almost bet that something is going to happen and then something totally diferent happens it is just a really quick read...
THis books was really interresting because it keeps you hook in it all book is you can almost bet that something is going to happen and then something totally diferent happens it is just a really quick read...
October 24, 2023
I’ve loved a lot of Mary Downing Hahn’s spooky stuff ever since I read The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall. I have such vivid memories of that book, of reading it at my nana’s house and how delightfully SPOOKY it was. (I mean—it’s not Stephen King spooky, but just creepy enough for MG that it gives me and my ghost loving heart a fun shiver.)
This one was a mystery, and definitely not what I was expecting. Where was the hand turning into a skeleton? Where was the vengeful ghost out to drown our MC? Where was the bratty little sister taunting her step-siblings that she’d sic a poltergeist onto them if they didn’t follow her every whim? You won’t find it here.
But even with expectations aside, just as a mystery, it was all right. I guessed who-done-it, though I did have one theory that there’d be an out of pocket ghostly twist at the end. (There wasn’t.)
Side note, I burned with anger at the mom, and not in a “i’m a middle schooler and all parents are unfair” way, but in a “ma’am, you are being emotionally abusive and manipulative to your son, can you NOT?” kind of way.
Anyway, I’m off to re-read “All The Lovely Bad Ones.” Because when MDH is on full spook, she is fantastic. So fantastic that it’s been a solid few years since I read this book and I *still* remember the opening line and that climactic battle. *chef’s kiss*
This one was a mystery, and definitely not what I was expecting. Where was the hand turning into a skeleton? Where was the vengeful ghost out to drown our MC? Where was the bratty little sister taunting her step-siblings that she’d sic a poltergeist onto them if they didn’t follow her every whim? You won’t find it here.
But even with expectations aside, just as a mystery, it was all right. I guessed who-done-it, though I did have one theory that there’d be an out of pocket ghostly twist at the end. (There wasn’t.)
Side note, I burned with anger at the mom, and not in a “i’m a middle schooler and all parents are unfair” way, but in a “ma’am, you are being emotionally abusive and manipulative to your son, can you NOT?” kind of way.
Anyway, I’m off to re-read “All The Lovely Bad Ones.” Because when MDH is on full spook, she is fantastic. So fantastic that it’s been a solid few years since I read this book and I *still* remember the opening line and that climactic battle. *chef’s kiss*
December 7, 2011
Closed for the Season
by Mary Downing Hahn
What would you do if you moved into a new house and you found out that an old lady was found murdered inside? That's what happens to Logan when he and his parents move to a new house in a small town. The good part about this mystery is that Logan's new friend, Arthur (who he really doesn't want to be friends with), is a very strong character. He's funny (without knowing it), gutsy (he stands up to bullies), has no manners (as evidenced by his tendency to take food without asking), and smart (he loves to read). In short—he's the most annoying human being on the planet. He is, however, entertaining. The weakness of the story is its creep-factor. I expected some ghosts to drop in or something, but that was not the case. I mean, the cover rocks. The thing is it's more a mystery than a creepy ghost story so be not deceived. If you want to read a mystery, dive in. But I warn you, it's possible you may guess the villain(s) early in the book (or perhaps not). But I guess that depends on how much of a Sherlock Holmes you really are.
by Mary Downing Hahn
What would you do if you moved into a new house and you found out that an old lady was found murdered inside? That's what happens to Logan when he and his parents move to a new house in a small town. The good part about this mystery is that Logan's new friend, Arthur (who he really doesn't want to be friends with), is a very strong character. He's funny (without knowing it), gutsy (he stands up to bullies), has no manners (as evidenced by his tendency to take food without asking), and smart (he loves to read). In short—he's the most annoying human being on the planet. He is, however, entertaining. The weakness of the story is its creep-factor. I expected some ghosts to drop in or something, but that was not the case. I mean, the cover rocks. The thing is it's more a mystery than a creepy ghost story so be not deceived. If you want to read a mystery, dive in. But I warn you, it's possible you may guess the villain(s) early in the book (or perhaps not). But I guess that depends on how much of a Sherlock Holmes you really are.
January 14, 2020
Prolific children's author Mary Downing Hahn is a master at crafting thrilling tales of suspense and mystery for young readers. While there's no ghosts in this one (as there are in many of her novels), I liked how she wrote from a boy's point of view and how themes like friendship and integrity come to the forefront. Also, there's a pretty awesome dog.
September 30, 2023
I thought this story was ok.
August 20, 2019
So.
My middle child was struggling to finish her summer reading.
She likes books. And loves to be read to. And enjoys writing and telling stories. But summer work upsets her.
Which I get.
To help her out, I encouraged her to choose a mystery from the library. She chose this one and we decided we would solve the mystery together as a family.
For several days, my kids have been reading or listening to me read chapters, taking notes, making a crazy wall/murder board of suspects and settings, talking through theories of the crime, and placing our bets as to whom the guilty parties are.
Today, we solved the murder.
That said, there was an unexpected twist and my three kids were SHOCKED (mom wasn’t, but mom isn’t new to the world of mystery fiction).
It’s been so awesome to experience this “case” together. The book for me isn’t anything special on its own but the memories we created around this book make it too precious to rate.
Do with that what you will.
My middle child was struggling to finish her summer reading.
She likes books. And loves to be read to. And enjoys writing and telling stories. But summer work upsets her.
Which I get.
To help her out, I encouraged her to choose a mystery from the library. She chose this one and we decided we would solve the mystery together as a family.
For several days, my kids have been reading or listening to me read chapters, taking notes, making a crazy wall/murder board of suspects and settings, talking through theories of the crime, and placing our bets as to whom the guilty parties are.
Today, we solved the murder.
That said, there was an unexpected twist and my three kids were SHOCKED (mom wasn’t, but mom isn’t new to the world of mystery fiction).
It’s been so awesome to experience this “case” together. The book for me isn’t anything special on its own but the memories we created around this book make it too precious to rate.
Do with that what you will.
September 11, 2013
A boy named Logan moved into his new house. His neighbor Arthur, that he just met is kind of the annoying kid no one hangs out with, but Logan doesn't have the heart to tell him. Logan finds out because of Arthur that a murder had occurred there, or that's what Author thinks anyway. Everyone else in the small town thinks the old lady killed herself. Well Arthur and Logan start investigating to see if she committed suicide or if she was murdered.the boys put themselves in a bunch of danger by just trying to investigate.
September 4, 2014
Mrs. Hahn is such a great local kids author. This book was based on the old Enchanted Forest theme park that I visited frequently as a kid--and once when it was run down and had long been closed. With many specific references to that exact park and even three original photos blended in on the book's cover, I was hooked for a spooky twist on my nostalgia.
December 24, 2023
Thrilling Suspense Tale
I love Downing Hahn’s ghost stories so this was a change for me to read a thriller book written for a younger audience, and it was great. I thought the overall story was interesting and well thought out and the characters were cool and well developed. I guess as it was a kid’s book there wasn’t the usual depth of mystery which I missed but overall a good read!
I love Downing Hahn’s ghost stories so this was a change for me to read a thriller book written for a younger audience, and it was great. I thought the overall story was interesting and well thought out and the characters were cool and well developed. I guess as it was a kid’s book there wasn’t the usual depth of mystery which I missed but overall a good read!
September 25, 2017
Most of the time I don't read reviews or even synopses, and this is a case when I really should have, because I was expecting another Downing Hahn ghost story. Instead, this is more of a mystery/whodunit. It's well-written and interesting, just not what I was looking for as Halloween draws near.
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October 22, 2011Closed for the Season
Mary Downing Hahn
Publication date: 2009
Genre: Mystery
"Closed for the Season" is an amazing book. It takes place in a small town called Bealesville. It's about a boy named Logan Forbes and his family. They move to a house where a women, named Myrtle Donaldson, was murdered. She worked at a place called the Magic Forest, an amuzement park that is run down and very creepy. It is now closed and going to be torn down. People believed that Mrs. Donaldson embezzled money from the Magic Forest and hid it in her house. Whoever murdered her was searching for the stolen money. Mrs. Donaldson's daughter, Violet, also plays an important role in this story. She is married to Silas, a criminal who has been in jail many times. Many thought he murdered Mrs. Donaldson and took the money. Especially a women named Mrs. Jenkins. She and her grandson Arthur Jenkins, live in the house that was next door to Mrs. Donaldson and is now Logan and his family's. Arthur and Logan become great friends throughout the story. They go through many challenges on their hunt to find the stolen money. They face criminals, night time at the magic forest, and Silas and his gang. The one who stole the money and killed Mrs. Donaldson is not who is expected, but i don't want to give everything away.
The theme of this book is that finding justice for someone can bring relief to a family, and even a community. In the end Violet was so happy to find answers about what happened to her mother. She was crying and hugging everyone. Also two days later, the first day of school for Arthur and Logan, everyone was talking about the news. They were talking about how long they've waited for answers, and how they never suspected who the murder was. Lastly Danny Phelps, Silas and Violet's son, used to be a major bully. Though now, he started to clean up his act. He didn't have that much hate knowing that his grandmothers killer was gone. He could live without being scared.
People who enjoy a suspenseful mystery story would be interested in this book. There's suspense around every corner. It makes you wonder the whole time. Compared to other books I've read it has to be my second or third favorite. I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved how Arthur and Logan are the weirdest friends. Arthur is a nerd and people don't like him, and Logans new and has more of a laid back personality and doesn't brag about his intelegance like Arthur does. Though somehow, they make their friendship work.
"Outside, the voices came closer.
"If you draged me out here on a wild goose chase," a man said, "I won't be paying a lawyer to get you out of jail."
"Don't worry," Silas said. "She knows where it's at."
"I don't know where it is," Violet said. "And even if i did, I wouldn't tell you."
"This ain't no game," Sialas said. "Quit messing with us and show us where it's at."
Danny crept a little closer to the open door and peered around the witch's ragged skirt.
"He'd better not hurt her," he whispered." This quote is on page 154. It's from when the boys were at the Magic Forest trying to find the money.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept me guessing the whole time. I have a good relationship to the author, Mary Downing Hahn. She wrote my favorite book, "The Old Willis Place". I really like her writing style. She describes things very well, and creates fully developed characters. This book has affected me in many ways. I still think about it even though im done reading it. I like all of the things i stated above beacause that's what makes a good story. Reading things that are really descriptive and well put together make a better picture in your head. I would definitely reccomend this book book to everyone, younger and older. It's an amazing book that everyone should read at least once.
Mary Downing Hahn
Publication date: 2009
Genre: Mystery
"Closed for the Season" is an amazing book. It takes place in a small town called Bealesville. It's about a boy named Logan Forbes and his family. They move to a house where a women, named Myrtle Donaldson, was murdered. She worked at a place called the Magic Forest, an amuzement park that is run down and very creepy. It is now closed and going to be torn down. People believed that Mrs. Donaldson embezzled money from the Magic Forest and hid it in her house. Whoever murdered her was searching for the stolen money. Mrs. Donaldson's daughter, Violet, also plays an important role in this story. She is married to Silas, a criminal who has been in jail many times. Many thought he murdered Mrs. Donaldson and took the money. Especially a women named Mrs. Jenkins. She and her grandson Arthur Jenkins, live in the house that was next door to Mrs. Donaldson and is now Logan and his family's. Arthur and Logan become great friends throughout the story. They go through many challenges on their hunt to find the stolen money. They face criminals, night time at the magic forest, and Silas and his gang. The one who stole the money and killed Mrs. Donaldson is not who is expected, but i don't want to give everything away.
The theme of this book is that finding justice for someone can bring relief to a family, and even a community. In the end Violet was so happy to find answers about what happened to her mother. She was crying and hugging everyone. Also two days later, the first day of school for Arthur and Logan, everyone was talking about the news. They were talking about how long they've waited for answers, and how they never suspected who the murder was. Lastly Danny Phelps, Silas and Violet's son, used to be a major bully. Though now, he started to clean up his act. He didn't have that much hate knowing that his grandmothers killer was gone. He could live without being scared.
People who enjoy a suspenseful mystery story would be interested in this book. There's suspense around every corner. It makes you wonder the whole time. Compared to other books I've read it has to be my second or third favorite. I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved how Arthur and Logan are the weirdest friends. Arthur is a nerd and people don't like him, and Logans new and has more of a laid back personality and doesn't brag about his intelegance like Arthur does. Though somehow, they make their friendship work.
"Outside, the voices came closer.
"If you draged me out here on a wild goose chase," a man said, "I won't be paying a lawyer to get you out of jail."
"Don't worry," Silas said. "She knows where it's at."
"I don't know where it is," Violet said. "And even if i did, I wouldn't tell you."
"This ain't no game," Sialas said. "Quit messing with us and show us where it's at."
Danny crept a little closer to the open door and peered around the witch's ragged skirt.
"He'd better not hurt her," he whispered." This quote is on page 154. It's from when the boys were at the Magic Forest trying to find the money.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept me guessing the whole time. I have a good relationship to the author, Mary Downing Hahn. She wrote my favorite book, "The Old Willis Place". I really like her writing style. She describes things very well, and creates fully developed characters. This book has affected me in many ways. I still think about it even though im done reading it. I like all of the things i stated above beacause that's what makes a good story. Reading things that are really descriptive and well put together make a better picture in your head. I would definitely reccomend this book book to everyone, younger and older. It's an amazing book that everyone should read at least once.
April 6, 2011
Here is the blurb from the back of the book.
Closed for the Season
by Mary Downing Hahn
Sandpiper Publishing
978-0-547-39853-2
YA Mystery/Suspense
$5.99
Rating 4 Blood Drops
The weather-beaten sign on the gate of the Magic Forest says:
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
But when the boys ride up to it on their bikes, Arthur tells his new friend, Logan, that the old amusement park hasn't been open for years. The overgrown park looks sinister even in broad daylight, so Logan is reluctant to go inside, but Arthur urges him on. He's sure they'll uncover important clues to the mystery they're trying to solve: Who killed Myrtle Donaldson? And what happened to the money she handled as head bookkeeper at the Magic Forest?
Arthur and Logan's quest takes them to the lowest--and highest--levels of society in their small town. The boys must pay another visit to the Magic Forest, this time in the middle of the night. And this time, they find the killer waiting for them. . .
I enjoyed reading Closed for the Season. It's a nice change from my normal genre of books, and I do like a good mystery, whether YA or not. The author, Mary Downing Hahn, knows how to wrap-up her reading audience in an eerie mystery and keep them entertained throughout the pages with an enticing plot. I loved the character development between the two boys, Arthur and Logan. Also, I liked that the author incorporated the pressures of being an outcast in society just by status and appearance, and the way Logan stood up to those individuals and spoke up for his friend, Arthur.
All-in-all this was a marvelous read!
Closed for the Season
by Mary Downing Hahn
Sandpiper Publishing
978-0-547-39853-2
YA Mystery/Suspense
$5.99
Rating 4 Blood Drops
The weather-beaten sign on the gate of the Magic Forest says:
CLOSED FOR THE SEASON
But when the boys ride up to it on their bikes, Arthur tells his new friend, Logan, that the old amusement park hasn't been open for years. The overgrown park looks sinister even in broad daylight, so Logan is reluctant to go inside, but Arthur urges him on. He's sure they'll uncover important clues to the mystery they're trying to solve: Who killed Myrtle Donaldson? And what happened to the money she handled as head bookkeeper at the Magic Forest?
Arthur and Logan's quest takes them to the lowest--and highest--levels of society in their small town. The boys must pay another visit to the Magic Forest, this time in the middle of the night. And this time, they find the killer waiting for them. . .
I enjoyed reading Closed for the Season. It's a nice change from my normal genre of books, and I do like a good mystery, whether YA or not. The author, Mary Downing Hahn, knows how to wrap-up her reading audience in an eerie mystery and keep them entertained throughout the pages with an enticing plot. I loved the character development between the two boys, Arthur and Logan. Also, I liked that the author incorporated the pressures of being an outcast in society just by status and appearance, and the way Logan stood up to those individuals and spoke up for his friend, Arthur.
All-in-all this was a marvelous read!
January 10, 2012
This book is about a boy named Logan who moves into a house in a little town called Bealesville. When his parents bought the house they didn’t know that the owner of the house had been murdered there, but soon after they move in their next-door neighbor a boy name Arthur told Logan that someone had broken in and ripped the whole house apart looking for something. Arthurs Grandmother was the one who found Mrs. Donaldson (the houses owner) dead at the bottom of the cellar steps. “Mrs Donaldson was lying on the floor. Dead... Even the police said it was murder,”(pg. 5). Logan at first didn’t believe him, but Arthur proved it by taking Logan to the town library a few days later and showing him the news articles. Mrs. Donaldson had been accused of embezzling money from the Magic Forest Amusement Park. Logan and Arthur don’t believe that she is the one who stole the money so they start to hunt for clues to the money and her killer.
I really enjoyed this book because it was full of suspense and had occasional outbreaks of action. This book was well written but it was not the best book I have read. It was however one on the best that I have read, I started to read this boom because it was in a desk and I had no book to read. I soon started to read it more and it caught my interest quite fast.
I would give this book a four out of five because it was very well written but it didn’t have early enough action for me, however it had enough mystery to still be interesting because the whole time I was trying to figure out who the killer might be.
I really enjoyed this book because it was full of suspense and had occasional outbreaks of action. This book was well written but it was not the best book I have read. It was however one on the best that I have read, I started to read this boom because it was in a desk and I had no book to read. I soon started to read it more and it caught my interest quite fast.
I would give this book a four out of five because it was very well written but it didn’t have early enough action for me, however it had enough mystery to still be interesting because the whole time I was trying to figure out who the killer might be.
May 22, 2013
I would rate the book Closed For The Season by Mary Downing Hahn a 4 out of 5 stars.
This book is about a kid named Logan and Arthur trying to solve the mystery to a murder. Logan is the new kid who just moved in next to Arthur, Logan’s parents did not know that a woman was murdered there a couple years ago. Logan and Arthur find a lot of trouble trying to find who killed Mrs. Donaldson. They narrow it down all the way to an abandoned amusement park that makes the book have a scary edge. (Besides the murder part)
I think the strength of the text is that you shouldn’t judge somebody before you actually know what they’ve been through. This book does a lot of judging at points, for example trying to find suspects. If somebody had a rough history or background they automatically are put on the suspect list. I learned from this text not everything is what it seems. You should find out more about a person before you start judging them. Even after that judging isn’t always the nicest thing to think if it can hurt someone’s feelings.
There is some talk about the murder, but it’s not very graphic or anything major to worry about.
I think the type of person who would most want to read this is if you tend to judge people a lot. The people would learn from this book, even if they think it’s just a fun “mystery” book. Mystery books always judge people, a lot of people don’t even recognize it happening. Even though people just think of this type of book a “fun” book to read, it also has a reason to it.
Melany Pleggenkuhle
This book is about a kid named Logan and Arthur trying to solve the mystery to a murder. Logan is the new kid who just moved in next to Arthur, Logan’s parents did not know that a woman was murdered there a couple years ago. Logan and Arthur find a lot of trouble trying to find who killed Mrs. Donaldson. They narrow it down all the way to an abandoned amusement park that makes the book have a scary edge. (Besides the murder part)
I think the strength of the text is that you shouldn’t judge somebody before you actually know what they’ve been through. This book does a lot of judging at points, for example trying to find suspects. If somebody had a rough history or background they automatically are put on the suspect list. I learned from this text not everything is what it seems. You should find out more about a person before you start judging them. Even after that judging isn’t always the nicest thing to think if it can hurt someone’s feelings.
There is some talk about the murder, but it’s not very graphic or anything major to worry about.
I think the type of person who would most want to read this is if you tend to judge people a lot. The people would learn from this book, even if they think it’s just a fun “mystery” book. Mystery books always judge people, a lot of people don’t even recognize it happening. Even though people just think of this type of book a “fun” book to read, it also has a reason to it.
Melany Pleggenkuhle
January 24, 2012
I decided to read this book mainly because the title and the cover of the book intrigued me. The story is about Logan and his family and how they move into a house which people claim to be where an old woman was murdered. Logan and his neighbor, Arthur, try to uncover the mysteries of her death, revealing more mysteries to solve, and more danger. My favorite quote from the entire book was, "Grandma and I knew there was something wrong. It was one of those weird feelings-you know what I mean?" by Arthur. This was the part where Arthur was telling Logan about how his grandma and him found out about the old woman's death. This quote gave me chills when I read it. What I liked about the author's style was her descriptions of various parts in the story, such as the abandoned amusement park, and how the old woman was murdered. What I found unappealing was that I thought the story was pretty slow, so at first I did not feel like finishing it. I would recommend this book to mystery and suspense lovers, and people who like adventures because it is very interesting and even though it might start pretty slow, it will be intriguing to find out what happens in the end.
October 6, 2012
Closed for the Season by Mary Downing Hahn is a wonderful mystery.
Logan is a kid who moves with his parents into a house in Virginia only to find out that the woman who lived there before his family was murdered. Logan meets his neighbor next door, a kid the same age, named Arthur. Arthur tries to convince Logan that the clues to the murder have to be hidden inside the house and if they find the clues maybe they can solve the murder mystery. While searching for evidence they come to an abandoned amusement park named the Magic Forest. It is to be torn down that week so if they don’t solve the mystery soon they may never know who killed her. Will they solve the murder or will the murderer find them first?
Since Mary Downing Hahn is a children’s librarian herself she knows how to get and keep the attention of the audience. She throws in many characters to throw you off so you are not sure who is good and who is bad, which I think makes it that much more exciting. It was a great read that was enticing all the way to the end.
It was also awarded “Winner of the 2010 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Literature”
Logan is a kid who moves with his parents into a house in Virginia only to find out that the woman who lived there before his family was murdered. Logan meets his neighbor next door, a kid the same age, named Arthur. Arthur tries to convince Logan that the clues to the murder have to be hidden inside the house and if they find the clues maybe they can solve the murder mystery. While searching for evidence they come to an abandoned amusement park named the Magic Forest. It is to be torn down that week so if they don’t solve the mystery soon they may never know who killed her. Will they solve the murder or will the murderer find them first?
Since Mary Downing Hahn is a children’s librarian herself she knows how to get and keep the attention of the audience. She throws in many characters to throw you off so you are not sure who is good and who is bad, which I think makes it that much more exciting. It was a great read that was enticing all the way to the end.
It was also awarded “Winner of the 2010 Edgar Award for Best Juvenile Literature”
December 13, 2012
In the novel, Closed for the Season, Logan Forbes, a 13 year old boy realizes that his new house in Richmond, Virginia was where someone was murdered. His next door neighbor, Arthur Jenkins helps him on this mystery novel to find out who the murderer was. But it isn't easy. They have to make numerous trips to the Magic Forest,an amusement park that hasnt been open for decades,risking their life and tracking down clues. Then one night, they have to take a secret trip to the Magic Forest, meeting up with Violet, the daughter of the victim and to track down the killer. But she is nowhere to be found. Instead, they have to team up with a bully,Violet's son,Danny and solve the mystery. But everything goes bad, as they find the killer,and have to come face to face with him.But on that night,they find people they least expect, and team up with them and solve another mystery behind it. Mary Downing Hahn does a good job building suspense and telling about the lives of two ordinary boys and how their life is about to be changed forever.I still wish that the book was a little longer. But I still liked the book. I would recommend this book for ages 12-14.
December 1, 2014
The reason I chose this book was because I had nothing else to read. I thought that the book would be really interesting because if you look at the cover it seems interesting.
Logan is a kid that just moved into town and was told a mysterious story about the house he lives in. Rumors were said that someone's grandmother was murdered in the house. Logan starts befriending Arthur, but Logan's mom despises that kid. I was really impressed on how an author can make a kid really unlikable. In the book it states," Arthur showed up after lunch, just in time to wold down at least half a bag of fancy chocolate chip cookies." The cookies were Logan's mom's favorites. However, without asking Arthur just ate it without permission as if he owns the house. This book taught me really nothing since it was a mystery-like story. The only thing I learned is to not move into a small town that has murderous rumors.
Logan is a kid that just moved into town and was told a mysterious story about the house he lives in. Rumors were said that someone's grandmother was murdered in the house. Logan starts befriending Arthur, but Logan's mom despises that kid. I was really impressed on how an author can make a kid really unlikable. In the book it states," Arthur showed up after lunch, just in time to wold down at least half a bag of fancy chocolate chip cookies." The cookies were Logan's mom's favorites. However, without asking Arthur just ate it without permission as if he owns the house. This book taught me really nothing since it was a mystery-like story. The only thing I learned is to not move into a small town that has murderous rumors.
May 18, 2015
Closed for the season
Closed for the season is a book about a family who just moved into a house where the previous owner died. Logan, the 13 year old boy who moved into the house, is not interested in what most boys his age would be interested in. Arthur, the next door neighbor who has a reputation for being weird, becomes Logan’s new best friend. He talks Logan into going in to the forest where an old amusement park lays. The forest was supposed to have the lady, who died in Logan’s house, money. They spend their summer trying to figure out who killed her.
Logan’s mom does not like Arthur and thinks he is a bad influence. Arthur talks him into sealing and sneaking out during the night. It turns out to be that Arthur and Logan are big hero’s since they find the killer. Who is it? If you want to find out read “Closed for the Season” it is a very good book and I would recommend this book.
Closed for the season is a book about a family who just moved into a house where the previous owner died. Logan, the 13 year old boy who moved into the house, is not interested in what most boys his age would be interested in. Arthur, the next door neighbor who has a reputation for being weird, becomes Logan’s new best friend. He talks Logan into going in to the forest where an old amusement park lays. The forest was supposed to have the lady, who died in Logan’s house, money. They spend their summer trying to figure out who killed her.
Logan’s mom does not like Arthur and thinks he is a bad influence. Arthur talks him into sealing and sneaking out during the night. It turns out to be that Arthur and Logan are big hero’s since they find the killer. Who is it? If you want to find out read “Closed for the Season” it is a very good book and I would recommend this book.
November 5, 2010
I chose to read this book because it looked like a good mystery story, and it looked scary. The genre would be mystery. The stetting would be the amusement park. Logan Forbes 12 years old. The beginning of the book Logan moves in to a new town and he is living in a house that this old lady got murdered in. then in the middle of the book they are at the store with Mrs. Donaldson’s daughter and she has a friend that goes to the store and makes a scene. The main problem is that they don’t know how she’s died and what the briefcase is in the amusement park. They go to the amusement park and see what is going on. The book was ok I wouldn’t read it again, because it was difficult for me.
June 7, 2012
"Closed for the Season" by Mary Downing Hahn is the 2011-2012 Golden Sower Winner in the Intermediate level. The ideal audience for this book is both boys and girls in the fourth and fifth grades. The appeal of the book is that it is a mystery which is solved by soon to be fifth grade and sixth grade students. Some students are reluctant to read Mary Downing Hahn books because she mainly writes about ghosts and hauntings. This book is about a murder mystery and does not contain ghosts or hauntings in its story. For these reasons, I was impressed this book could appeal to a broader base of students.
July 11, 2013
Intermediate
Youth Chapter Book- Mystery
Bloom's Questions:
1.Where did the boy's find the map for the Magic Forest?
2. How would you describe Logan's relationship with Arthur?
3. Using what you know, how would you convince Logan's mother to allow him to continue being friends and hanging out with Arthur?
4. What was the most exciting part of the book to you?
5. What is your opinion of Danny? Why does he act the way he does?
6. What do you predict will happen to the Magic Forest after Mr. Desilvio and Silas go to jail?
Youth Chapter Book- Mystery
Bloom's Questions:
1.Where did the boy's find the map for the Magic Forest?
2. How would you describe Logan's relationship with Arthur?
3. Using what you know, how would you convince Logan's mother to allow him to continue being friends and hanging out with Arthur?
4. What was the most exciting part of the book to you?
5. What is your opinion of Danny? Why does he act the way he does?
6. What do you predict will happen to the Magic Forest after Mr. Desilvio and Silas go to jail?
June 6, 2012
This story is a great pick for those readers who are a little reluctant to pick up a book! This has a mystery waiting to be solved by every turn of the page. You stay interested and ready to find out what happens. This book would be great for fourth to sixth graders and either boys or girls. I found this book appealing because it was an easy read, kept you interested in the story, and had a great story line. This story was a Nebraska Golden Sower nominee for 2011-2012.
August 18, 2014
Two boys are trying to find out a serious mystery about who stole the "murdered lady's" money. I liked this book because it was full of secrets and just a great book in general. I recommend this to kids who like mysteries because it is all about one GIANT mystery.
February 13, 2012
It was really good. My reading teacher read it to us in class and I was really curious and attached to the book.
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