Ghosts Beneath Our Feet

by Betty Ren Wright

Katie believed that spending the summer in a quiet little town would be really cool. There'd be new kids to meet and lots of places to explore. But Katie's dream summer quickly turns into a nightmare. The quite little town is practically deserted, and the local kids don't seem too friendly.

Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Childrens, Ghosts, Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery

137 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

About the author

Betty Ren Wright was an award-winning author of children's fiction including The Dollhouse Murders, The Ghosts Of Mercy Manor and A Ghost in The House.

Known for her ghost stories and mysteries, Wright published 28 children's novels between 1981 and 2006, as well as picture books and short stories. Prior to pursuing her career as a full-time author in 1978, she worked as an editor of children's books.

Wright lived in Wisconsin with her husband, painter George A. Fredericksen, until her death in 2013.

Reviews

[Ishi Time]

This was my favourite book from Betty Ren Wright when I was little!

[Becky]

Back in the day, Betty Ren Wright was right up there with R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike for YA mysteries. I'd never read any of her books though, I'm not sure why, but when I saw this one in my local thrift store for $0.59, I picked it up.

For as short as it is, and as big as the font is, it took me forever to read it. Not that this was a bad book, but rather that there was a lot of stuff that didn't really serve any purpose other than to provide length. The one guy has a motorcycle and a bad reputation but nothing ever comes of it and the step-brother is angry and resentful and then all of a sudden he's just not anymore, etc.

I know this is a children's book, but it just seemed all over the place, and nothing really came together or worked for me. Meh. 2 stars. It was OK.

[Andria Potter]

Summer vibes alright, but it was barely spooky. Even so this was a heartwarming children's novel of second chances, family drama and character depth. Katie and Jay were both very good characters. This was very well written and I definitely would have adored this as a kid. 4.5 ⭐

[Sheila]

An ok read, was not scary at all.

[Erin]

This was one of my favorite books as a child and I was happy to see a copy at the used book store yesterday. This one genuinely scared me when I was little and rereading it was a nice taste of nostalgia. Betty Ren Wright always delivered a bone chilling read perfect for her target audience.

[C. (Don't blank click my reviews, comment please!]

I have become a Betty Ren Wright fan in adulthood; having internet exposure, the means, and time to explore many more authors than I heard of when their books were new. She was born in 1927 in Michigan and lived to 2013 in Wisconsin. Hailing from when I was small in 1984, I gave “Ghosts Beneath Our Feet” four stars and place it in the middle of her oeuvres. Its premise is quite unique and the story is dynamic and sympathetic but I had criticisms.

Countless authors depict children and adults discovering adventures and phenomena where they live. Some of them like Betty, too often fabricate an unwanted vacation, move, loss or stepfamily; making even the most fabulous story ideas feel repetitive. An anguished stepbrother weighed down this novel in too many places, as did his troublesome pal. You can build external threads to add layers or convey messages but in the mystery genre, they have to seamlessly, justifiably contribute to the denouement; or at least not diminish the impact of mysterious intrigue. If the paranormal appears, the marvel of that atmosphere must have the space to palpably be felt.

By 1984, disbelieving in ghosts was a worn out cliché. The extent of its exaggeration ruined the climax. With a house falling, a Mom still refused to flee or believe her children. I would have scooped up belongings that were reachable as I exited. Who would walk past their bedrooms only wearing pyjamas? I was outraged when Mary & Albert did the same in a “Little House On The Prairie” television story. They walked past their baby’s room in a fire evacuation!

This novel warned that mineshafts can destabilize terrain for decades and that grief can overtake a life. It also depicted how perseverance and respect can engender loving bonds.

[Emily]

Katie’s stepfather has just died, and she, her mother, and step-brother move to a fictional small town that I gather is in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They will be living with and taking care of Uncle Frank, who is actually no relation to them. Newquay is a former mining town that is currently almost dead. The mine had collapsed 30 years prior, killing several men and giving rise to tales of ‘knackers,’ the ghosts of miners, turned evil and trying to tunnel their way out. Katie does see a ghost, but it’s not a miner and doesn’t seem evil, either. Actually the ghost is quite helpful. Other issues explored in the book include Katie’s stepbrother Jay not feeling welcome in a family that no longer includes his dad, and so becoming a trouble-maker in an effort to get sent away.
A fun, quick read. Interesting incorporation of local lore and Cornish customs. Ages 9-12.

[Kaitlyn]

Well, that was exceedingly disappointing. Here I thought I was going to get evil coal-mining ghosties. Instead, the ground collapses because of the mines? This wasn't so much a ghost story as it was a story of how different people cope with loss.

[Rebecca I]

I got this book because I thought it might be a good ghost story. The ghost story is peripheral to other things - a little of this and a little of that. Mostly a story that doesn't hang together too well about the importance of family.

[BRANDON]

Betty Ren Wright deserves her roses too, Ghosts Beneath our Feet is just as good as any Mary Downing Hahn book I ever read (perhaps even better.) I couldn't help but read Jay as a baby gay with a crush on a bad boy, my heart broke when his budding romance ended in arson. While I did enjoy the story as written, I couldn't help but notice spots were the story could have been fluffed out or intensified until it was fit for a YA or even and an adult audience. Had Jay's storyline been queer and the kobolds actually came swarming out of the earth this could easily have been a bestseller in today's YA market.

[Amanda]

This was not the best book by Betty Ren Wright.

This book started okay, I liked it until the ending.(Which seem's thats how it is with most books I read.) The ending was really lame and I don't think that well thought out, but I love the rest of the Betty Ren Wright books I have read.

[Stephanie A.]

A surprisingly spooky and unique (at least for the U.S.) ghost take. I didn't pay much attention to the title before starting, but they meant literally beneath their feet: not even in a cemetery way, but the ghosts of miners trapped in a collapse who have warped over time into evil spirits, digging and tunneling their way to freedom, creating earth tremors that sometimes shake the house in their wake.

I thought this played out in a really interesting way, with a mix of rational explanations and Real Spirits, while also delivering lessons on Cornish lore (and foodstuffs*) via a neighbor's grandmother who pines for The Old Country.
*I am not going to last 24 hours without getting my hands on a nice beef pasty, for one.

But even beyond that, I was enchanted from the first page by how strong and sharp the writing style is. The town came to life for me, as did Katie's friendship with neighbor Joan, the blended family bonds/squabbles and even the crotchety old quasi-uncle they've come to take care of. Betty Ren Wright was one of my favorite and most reliable ghost-story authors as a kid, and frankly, she still holds up, delivering a cracking good tale in a concise package. Except for the ending, which I hated. Did you have to destroy everything with fire, like the house literally collapsing wasn't enough?

[寿理 宮本]

Docking a star for this edition. Main character Katie is described as, "...shorter than most of her friends, and rounder, too, with dark brown hair."

THAT IS RED. Carrot-top RED, which is what hair her friend JOAN is supposed to have, and JOAN did not see the ghost in the MIRROR.

And the ghost: "...a white face framed in long blond hair..."

NOT AN UP-DO. THAT HAIR is NOT "FRAMING" her FACE.

I just get aggravated when there's a clear disconnect between the author and artist.

The story is fine. It may be the only story I've read where there's a blended family where one of the children is no longer related to anyone (mother remarried after being widowed, then was again widowed... is she cursed??). I guess it's to emphasise the stepbrother's feelings of isolation, and it's handled pretty well. There's also proportionately little time spent actually on the titular ghosts, but I suppose that would be normal.

Not sure if I would recommend this (edition) to anyone, since it is badly showing its age and threatening to fall apart, even though it doesn't appear to have been mishandled. An okay ghost story, decent "blended family" story.

[quincy :3]

quite liked this one. reasonable amount of supernatural mystery that mixed well with the moral/life lesson. maybe Jay's change of heart could have been a bit more explained, but i think its also fine. this is a reasonable exploration of dealing with loss for a middlegrade audience.

the few comments about Katie's weight at the beginning are...... weird. odd. lets not do that; its maybe my only actual negative about the book, even though theyre sorta one-liners its :/

also quite like the idea of exploring other cultures that presented in this book, even if it is still Incredibly white. its a step in a good direction if nothing else

[Devri]

Betty Ren Wright does it again!
Another amazing book about a girl who has to move to a new town where she feels uncomfortable and starts to see ghosts.
The premise may be similar to a few other books I have read by Betty, but her characters and story arcs are so darn good.
This one has an abandoned mine shaft and a ghost in a mirror!

[LuAnn]

I enjoy stories like this about families and relationships with some grounding in history and a supernatural element. While I didn't find this one as suspenseful and emotionally deep as the author's The Dollhouse Murders, it's a good story with likable characters.

[HopefulDaffodil]

An old childhood favourite of mine. When I was in high school I would always bring a book with me to read during spare moments in class. I read a lot of stuff back then but this was one book I brought pretty regularly. I still think it holds up pretty well!

[Molly Tupman]

i read this when i was little and it is so dear to me, it started a fascination with ghosts and i used to longingly wish to be visited by the ghost in this book at night when i tried to sleep. i have read this at least 6 times.

[Caroline]

Fun read with the 5/6 class. Definitely dated with some yucky diet culture talk, which is NOT good for children. Loved this when I was a kid; as an adult, the read is much different but still contains the nugget of a compelling story. The climax was very engaging!

[emma ⁠☆｡⁠*⁠♡]

this was good but oh my godddd Mrs Blaine made me so mad,, the entire book she acts like a child while her very young daughter has to parent her an also?? parent her older stepbrother?? get ahold of yourself ma'am.

anyways this was fun I love Joan,, she's so silly. Katie is too.

[Jenn]

2.5 stars

[T.J.]

Not as scary as her other book, "The Dollhouse Murders."

[Albrie]

Could be more adventurous

[Elaine]

good

[angelofmine1974]

My review of this book can be found on my YouTube Vlog at:

https://youtu.be/-RdIj3LIUo4

Enjoy!

[Kimmie]

I remember reading this as a kid...

[Tammy]

pure nostalgia.. love.

[Jaymie]

This is a mild ghost story, the only kind I can handle. I recommend this book.

[Marillah]

A re read of a book from when I was little. Still as spooky.

[Emile.C]

I loved this book but it was so sad