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The Ghost of Popcorn Hill
Peter and Martin try to deal with their frisky new dog, Rosie, and with two lonely ghosts, one of whom is the ghost of a lovable sheepdog. By the author of The Dollhouse Murders.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
About the author
Betty Ren Wright
98 books297 followersBetty 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 14, 2019
Betty Ren Wright is such a prolific name among children, many stories are superior to others. “The Ghost Of Popcorn Hill”, at 82 pages, is her first “early chapter book”. It is from 1993 but reads as if it describes olden days. I don’t know if it meant to weave historical fiction, or if the setting and circumstances sound that way. One thing I loathe about older periods, is “have got” contractions, in place of stating: “HAVE”! It disturbs the dialogue so jarringly, I cut a star. Another star flew the coop in common with all reviewers.
Martin and Peter are allowed to adopt a dog into their country home. I heartily approve of freeing her from a humane society. Admiration stops there. Reviewers are disgusted by the idea that only a massive dog who can pull wagons and sleighs will do. The kids, not mentioned by age that I recall in my one-day session, were ambivalent about the loving, medium-sized border collie their Dad encouraged them to adopt. Rosie is ready to play with them: is home with them. Who would skulk about the hills in search of an unknown dog they saw bounding around; when they have a dog to love, who already loves them? Even their Mom is charmed with the warm-hearted girl.
I like a paranormal story and Betty conveyed a good dose of suspense. However, the juvenile level had no room to delve into a compelling tableau. She paid no heed to afterlife workings, with two spirits unaware of each other. I also wonder how realistic it was for an unemployed family to occupy a cabin without plumbing. I liked the brothers’ elation about living in beautiful scenery. An uplifting afterglow comes from how strikingly Rosie made her loyalty and intelligence plain to the children.
Martin and Peter are allowed to adopt a dog into their country home. I heartily approve of freeing her from a humane society. Admiration stops there. Reviewers are disgusted by the idea that only a massive dog who can pull wagons and sleighs will do. The kids, not mentioned by age that I recall in my one-day session, were ambivalent about the loving, medium-sized border collie their Dad encouraged them to adopt. Rosie is ready to play with them: is home with them. Who would skulk about the hills in search of an unknown dog they saw bounding around; when they have a dog to love, who already loves them? Even their Mom is charmed with the warm-hearted girl.
I like a paranormal story and Betty conveyed a good dose of suspense. However, the juvenile level had no room to delve into a compelling tableau. She paid no heed to afterlife workings, with two spirits unaware of each other. I also wonder how realistic it was for an unemployed family to occupy a cabin without plumbing. I liked the brothers’ elation about living in beautiful scenery. An uplifting afterglow comes from how strikingly Rosie made her loyalty and intelligence plain to the children.
October 22, 2021
Fun and cute!
October 13, 2015
Kind of spooky books about two terribly haunted boys. Life is a bit different with living in the old cabin out in the middle of nowhere due to financial situations. What's worse is the cabin is already occupied by a ghost! A new dog...and a stray dog make this interesting.
What I didn't like was the boys' attitude toward Rosie. I kept wanting them to give the dog a chance and couldn't understand why there were fussing so hard about wanting her to be different. I'd think any dog is better than no dog. But then, I'm a dog person...so it's probably my personal feelings getting in the way here. :P
What I didn't like was the boys' attitude toward Rosie. I kept wanting them to give the dog a chance and couldn't understand why there were fussing so hard about wanting her to be different. I'd think any dog is better than no dog. But then, I'm a dog person...so it's probably my personal feelings getting in the way here. :P
September 28, 2021
The story is more like a 2.5/5 but I just had to give it 5/5 for the cover.
February 15, 2022
It felt very rushed
August 28, 2015
Brothers Peter and Martin love living at Popcorn Hill. It's an exciting place for young boys to have adventures. What else could they want? A dog of course. Not only can the dog accompany them on adventures but it can protect them from the eerie laughter they hear of a night in their room. When their parents finally consent, they head to the local humane society in hopes of adopting the biggest dog ever. Their plans quickly screech to a halt when their father won't allow them to get the big dog they want and so they relent and get a smaller variety. While the boys are happy to have a dog, they still wish they could have gotten a different dog. Their frowns quickly turn upside down when a stray sheepdog, a much bigger dog, shows up.
The Ghost of Popcorn Hill was a quick and pleasant read. My seven-year-old daughter read it first. She expressed her joy about the dogs. She questioned why the boys weren't happy with the dog they adopted so the moral of this book is easy for younger minds to grasp.
I was happy with how the book ended. I won't give spoilers but it was nice to see the lesson the boys learned and how they faced their fears in order to help someone in need. I'd happily get the other books by this author for my daughter to read.
The Ghost of Popcorn Hill was a quick and pleasant read. My seven-year-old daughter read it first. She expressed her joy about the dogs. She questioned why the boys weren't happy with the dog they adopted so the moral of this book is easy for younger minds to grasp.
I was happy with how the book ended. I won't give spoilers but it was nice to see the lesson the boys learned and how they faced their fears in order to help someone in need. I'd happily get the other books by this author for my daughter to read.
March 15, 2016
Review copy provided by Netgalley
This is the story of two brothers that really want a dog and exceedingly uncomfortable with ghosts in their new home on Popcorn Hill. While I am not an expert when it comes to ghost stories, I know that this is relatively mild as ghost stories go, and it probably would be just fine to share with a younger audience even if they are easily frightened. I felt like the younger of the two brothers, Peter, was irritatingly difficult and the mother in the story had the strangest imaginable fear of burglars, but the story was simple and enjoyable for the most part. The boys encounter a ghost in their bedroom and spend much of their time chasing a mysterious sheepdog while neglecting the dog they just received as a pet, but something about the story rang true. All in all, this is a good choice for people looking to introduce the ghost story to children without scaring them. Nothing about this story would be upsetting to a younger audience. While it wouldn't be the nest choice for an older audience, for younger readers this is just about right.
This is the story of two brothers that really want a dog and exceedingly uncomfortable with ghosts in their new home on Popcorn Hill. While I am not an expert when it comes to ghost stories, I know that this is relatively mild as ghost stories go, and it probably would be just fine to share with a younger audience even if they are easily frightened. I felt like the younger of the two brothers, Peter, was irritatingly difficult and the mother in the story had the strangest imaginable fear of burglars, but the story was simple and enjoyable for the most part. The boys encounter a ghost in their bedroom and spend much of their time chasing a mysterious sheepdog while neglecting the dog they just received as a pet, but something about the story rang true. All in all, this is a good choice for people looking to introduce the ghost story to children without scaring them. Nothing about this story would be upsetting to a younger audience. While it wouldn't be the nest choice for an older audience, for younger readers this is just about right.
July 14, 2015
I recently received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. It looked like a cute republished children's books and since it had a dog on the cover I couldn't resist. As expected with an adult reading a children's book, I read it all in one sitting. In the book, the kids are wanting a big dog, but due to the budget and the size of their home, they end up getting a smaller dog. The book tells the story of how they boys get over their disappointment, with some drama and paranormal activity thrown in.
This would be a great book for a 2nd or 3rd grader and is considered a shorter chapter book. There are a few illustrations throughout which are wonderfully done and set me in mind of a simpler time. If you have children or love dogs, then this would be a great book to pick up for your home. Although I read it on my Kindle, I think the book and the illustrations make for a much better physical copy read.
This would be a great book for a 2nd or 3rd grader and is considered a shorter chapter book. There are a few illustrations throughout which are wonderfully done and set me in mind of a simpler time. If you have children or love dogs, then this would be a great book to pick up for your home. Although I read it on my Kindle, I think the book and the illustrations make for a much better physical copy read.
July 28, 2015
When brothers Peter and Martin first hear the spooky laughter coming from the corner of their dark bedroom, they comfort themselves with thoughts of the family dog they’ll be getting the next day. Although the boys hope for “the biggest dog in the whole world,” their practical parents bring home medium-sized, rambunctious Rosie, who proves to be little help in keeping away their ghostly visitor. So the boys pin their hopes on the big sheepdog they’ve seen in the neighboring orchard, trying to lure him into their room—with unexpected consequences.
This is a solid transitional book for kids just making the jump to chapter books: short chapters, generously illustrated, just enough intrigue to keep things rolling along. Also great for those kids looking for something spooky, but who aren’t quite ready for Wright’s more intense ghost stories. Offer this to fans of Marion Dane Bauer’s coloful ghost series.
This is a solid transitional book for kids just making the jump to chapter books: short chapters, generously illustrated, just enough intrigue to keep things rolling along. Also great for those kids looking for something spooky, but who aren’t quite ready for Wright’s more intense ghost stories. Offer this to fans of Marion Dane Bauer’s coloful ghost series.
September 6, 2009
Martin and Peter Love their new house on Popcorn Hill. They like the stray sheepdog that walks around thier home even more
But one night they hear ghostly luaghter at night, they find out everything on Popcorn Hill may not be what they think it is
Will they met a couple of ghosts? If you read it you will find out!
But one night they hear ghostly luaghter at night, they find out everything on Popcorn Hill may not be what they think it is
Will they met a couple of ghosts? If you read it you will find out!
August 18, 2015
This is an adorable book about two brothers wanting a big dog to pull their Wagon and finding out that even the 'wrong' dog can be pretty special. It is also a ghost story about a lonely man and an equally lonely sheepdog. Filled with great characters and a very good message, this is a superb way to start kids reading chapter books. Loved it.
February 21, 2009
great book
January 31, 2010
I read this when I was 11 or 12.It was the first real book I ever read..lol
January 1, 2018
You will sail through this short book and love it!
July 21, 2012
read a looooong time ago, it was ok, more for a young reader so i did enjoy it at the time
May 6, 2021
Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
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August 20, 2016Brings Back Memories
This was a really cute story. I read this when I was in 4th grade and I still like this book. It is a real "feel good" story.
This was a really cute story. I read this when I was in 4th grade and I still like this book. It is a real "feel good" story.
December 5, 2012
i love this book!!!!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews