Most Popular Books by Betty Ren Wright

When the ghostly figure of a small, sad boy appears in her uncle''s old house, Christina must figure out what he''s trying to tell her—and how to help him—in this classic horror novel for young readers. Ten-year-old Christina was looking forward to spending the summer on her grandmother''s farm—not being stuck with her crabby uncle Ralph, in a dusty Victorian house that''s "cozy as a tomb." But she''s determined to stay busy, and stay out of her uncle''s way. There''s plenty she can do on her own—she just needs to find a project to focus on. But when the ghost of a little boy appears, Christina begins to suspect that the house is full of secrets. Though the young apparition seems friendly, there''s also something in the attic . . . something terrifying . . . something getting stronger every day. Christina is strong-willed, clever, and independent—but that might not be enough to unravel the mysteries of this strange, creepy house, and the horrifying events that took place there. Can she win over Uncle Ralph and convince him there''s really something supernatural going on? Or will the malevolent presence in the attic get them first? This classic ghost story, recipient of seven kids'' choice state awards, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award, is back in print after many years with an updated jacket . . . and it''s ready to chill a new generation of readers looking for an unforgettable mystery.

A dollhouse filled with a ghostly light in the middle of the night and dolls that have moved from where she last left them lead Amy and her retarded sister to unravel the mystery surrounding grisly murders that took place years ago.

Dolls can''t move by themselves. . . . Or can they? This special anniversary edition of the hair-raising mystery that''s kept readers up at night for thirty-five years features a foreword by Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine and a new embossed, glow-in-the-dark jacket. Amy is terrified. She hears scratching and scurrying noises coming from the dollhouse in the attic, and the dolls she was playing with are not where she left them. Dolls can''t move by themselves, she tells herself. But every night when Amy goes up to check on the dollhouse, it''s filled with an eerie light and the dolls have moved again! Are the dolls trying to tell her something? Could this all be connected to the murders of her great-grandparents? Sinister secrets unravel as Amy gets closer to revealing the mystery of the dolls in this haunting novel that combines complicated family relationships with a bone-chilling mystery. Even readers who love scary stories will want to keep the lights on after finishing! On many state reading lists and an Edgar award nominee when first published, the hardcover edition has been unavailable for years. The all-new foreword and jacket make this spooky classic perfect for sharing with a new generation.

A girl’s scary dream may come true in this “fast moving” story starring “a likable and believable heroine” (School Library Journal). Meg’s nightmare about a thin, gray-haired man who beckons her to follow him through a dark doorway will no doubt come true. That’s the way it is with all of her “real” dreams, the ones that her grandmother calls “a secret window into the future.” Meg suspects that her dream is about sixteen-year-old Caleb Larsen’s father, who died in a car crash after allegedly stealing $50,000 from a local bank. Could Mr. Larsen be trying to reach Caleb and his mother through Meg’s dreams? Is he trying to reveal the truth about what happened? As Meg’s nightmare begins to come true, she learns to cope with her own past as well as Caleb’s, and to see the present in a different, more positive light.

Something chilling lurks underground, and two step-siblings must unite to uncover the truth in this “engrossing mystery” (Booklist). Katie knows that something eerie is happening in the old, deserted town where she, her stepbrother, and her newly widowed mother are spending the summer taking care of Uncle Frank. Sometimes, when Katie puts her ear to the ground in Uncle Frank’s backyard, she hears a groaning noise that sounds almost human. But when a crippled ghost-girl appears to her out of the gloom in an abandoned mine, Katie is at once terrified and puzzled. Could the girl’s chilling appearance have something to do with a tragic mining accident thirty years before? In a fiery climax, Katie and her rebellious stepbrother learn the truth about the past and discover things about each other that strengthen their fragile relationship.

A vengeful ghost haunts a small town—until two cousins confront her—in this “fast-paced, entertaining” story (School Library Journal). While thirteen-year-old Rachel dreams of becoming Pike River’s Sunbonnet Queen, her cousin Charlie Hocking dreams of leaving. But both dreams are threatened by the presence of a fierce old lady who lives just outside of town. At first Charlie is more puzzled than frightened by the fact that the woman looks younger each time he sees her. But gradually, he realizes she’s a phantom, a mad ghost who is eerily involved with the Sunbonnet Queen contest. When she threatens Rachel, Charlie decides to stay in Pike River, for a while at least. It’s a wise decision, for with the help of an unexpected ally he saves Rachel’s life on a Fourth of July morning the Hockings will never forget.

“Boys and girls alike will appreciate the mix of classic and contemporary elements in this creepy, suspenseful middle-grade mystery” (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books). Roddy Hall overhears his mother saying “Princess” is coming to visit. He’s excited—he’s always wanted a dog. But then he finds out that—ick—Princess is a girl and—yuck—she’ll be staying for a whole week. One night, Princess, Roddy, and his best friend, Jacob, notice a mysterious car pull up to an abandoned house. Could it be a burglar? Or worse yet, a ghost? Princess is determined to find out, and against his better judgment, Roddy goes along with her. They sneak out of the house to investigate—but will they be ready for what they might find? Princess for a Week is a Society for School Librarians International Honor Book.

The new kid in school accepts a dare—and finds himself facing some spooky and surprising consequences: “[A] page-turner” (Booklist). Matthew Barber thinks that being the new kid in school will be the scariest thing about fourth grade. But is he ever wrong! When the class bully challenges him to spend the night in Healy Elementary, Matthew learns that the rumor of a ghost teacher wandering the halls is more than just a story. And because he has already lost his classmates’ trust by lying about his old school, no one believes the terrifying truth: There is a ghost, and she knows Matthew’s name . . . and she won’t let him rest until she gets what she wants! The Ghost in Room 11 has won the Florida, Iowa, and Oklahoma Children’s Book Awards.

While staying at her aunt’s farm, a girl searches for her missing dog—and a mysterious vandal. Vannie Kirkland is spending the summer on her Aunt Bert’s farm while her parents are looking for work in California. At first, she feels uncomfortable: Aunt Bert is cranky and plainspoken, and she constantly reminds Vannie of how much she dislikes Vannie’s yappy little dog, Muffy. Then, just when Vannie is beginning to appreciate Aunt Bert and her way of life, trouble starts brewing. Someone has been lurking around the farm, vandalizing the property. To top it all off, Muffy gets lost! Vannie helps Aunt Bert figure out who’s trying to scare them, captures the culprit, and learns a thing or two about what it means to compromise.

Strange things happen when twelve-year-old Sarah is alone in the house with Great Aunt Margaret, who appears to be the victim of a ghost seeking revenge for a death in the past.

As two brothers try to reunite the lonely ghosts of a farmer and a sheepdog, “readers will be cheering them on every step of the way” (Publishers Weekly). In this short-chapter winner of the IRA Children’s Choices, Peter and Martin enjoy living atop Popcorn Hill, except for two things: They long for a big dog and their cabin is haunted by a lonely ghost. They do get a frisky mutt named Rosie, but she’s not as big or as appealing as the stray sheepdog that has been roaming around outside. When the boys learn the sheepdog is a ghost, however, they devise a plan for bringing the two ghosts together. In the process, they learn to appreciate their real pet, Rosie.

Erin’s new adopted brother has ruined everything—but there are scarier things than having to share the spotlight in this “compelling summertime adventure.” (School Library Journal). Erin enjoyed being Erin Lindsay, the much-loved only child of schoolteacher parents. Everything in her life was just he way she wanted it, until nine-year-old Cowper moved in. A musical prodigy, he was adopted by Erin’s parents after his mother and father were killed in a car crash. Suddenly, Erin was no longer the center of attention. Her parents became obsessed with Cowper. Now Erin faces a long, lonely summer away from her friends and familiar surroundings. The Lindsays are renting an apartment in Milwaukee so Cowper can take piano lessons at the conservatory. Erin is crazed with boredom, until she meets senior citizen and medium Molly Panca . . . and experiences the scariest night of her life.

Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for . . . “An adventure story with a hint of the supernatural . . . full of action and suspense” (School Library Journal). Most years Corby likes summer vacation, but not now. He’s stuck at his grandparents’ house in Wisconsin, where his grandfather constantly reminds him how timid he is and how different his father was at his age. And his new friend Buck seems to think he’s chicken, too, just because he’d rather be sensible than risk getting hurt. To prove he’s tough, Corby joins Buck for a nighttime journey into the woods to find the Wish Master, a fierce, giant statue that is rumored to grant wishes. Soon it seems as if the Wish Master does have special powers—though it doesn’t always get things exactly right. When Corby wishes for a puppy, a mangy stray comes into his life. He soon grows attached to the loyal mutt. Then the dog gets Corby in big trouble, and Corby decides it’s time to wish for what he really wants: to go home. But will this wish bring more harm than good?

Two girls suspect an abandoned mansion is haunted—but will anyone believe them before it’s too late? “[A] well-written, shivery ghost story” (Booklist). Beware! At first, Charli is excited about the Crandall family’s newest endeavor—fixing up the town’s old mansion and turn it into a bed-and-breakfast. She even volunteers to help. Then strange things begin to happen. Charli hears someone singing—but no one is there. She sees the shadow of a rocking cradle—but there is no cradle. And then she hears a baby crying, and crying. . . . Something terrible happened in the old house many years ago. And it may happen again, unless Charli can figure out how to stop the past from repeating itself.

Meg’s dreams seem to predict the future—but can she make a better future for herself? “Filled with sensitivity and warmth” (Children’s Book Review Service). “It was crazy to have dreams that came true. If you talked about them, it’d upset the people you loved and make them angry. Meg had learned something bad about herself, an ugly secret.” And so she decided to keep the dreams to herself, writing them down in a special notebook. Sometimes her dreams were pleasant, but other times they were disturbing—especially the one about the cave with the blue light. When Meg’s worst dreams begin to come true, she’s convinced they bring bad luck. Why else would her father move out to “find himself” or her best friend desert her for a rowdy crowd of older kids? Meg’s grandmother and a wonderful new neighbor finally help her realize that her “secret window” into the future can bring good luck, if understood properly.

This fifth-grader is not too fond of her new step-grandmother—“an affecting funny story” (Publishers Weekly). When summer comes, Emily is looking forward to spending more time with Grandfather. Ever since Grandma Ellen’s death, Emily has felt especially close to him. He’s never too busy to listen to her, and he always understands her feelings. But Emily’s summer is unexpectedly ruined when Grandfather returns from a vacation with a new wife. Her name is Marjorie, and Emily hates her. There’s no way Marjorie can replace Grandma Ellen, and she’s certain to destroy Grandfather’s happiness. So Emily decides to get rid of her. The jealousy and problems caused by Marjorie’s arrival are refreshingly handled in the first novel by Betty Ren Wright.

What do you do when you’re being bullied—by a ghost? Find out in this story that “nicely blends the comic and the sinister” (Booklist). Three months ago, when Ernie P. Barber came to Treverton from Los Angeles, he’d been like a missile aimed at trouble. And Ernie had chosen Jeff to be his best friend, whether he liked it or not. “You’re my buddy, old buddy,” Ernie would always say, “. . . and I’m going to cut you in on my T.S.P.” But when Ernie dies as a result of a freak accident, Jeff’s troubles are only beginning. The ghost of Ernie P. starts to haunt Jeff. At first, Jeff thinks he’s going crazy. But when the letters T.S.P. (Ernie’s code for Top Secret Plan) and some newspaper clippings keep mysteriously appearing, Jeff is convinced that Ernie’s ghost wants him to carry out the T.S.P. alone—whatever it might be. Not until Jeff faces terrible danger and stands up to the ghost of Ernie P. does the mystery of the T.S.P. unravel.

In the tradition of her award-winning The Dollhouse Murders, Betty Ren Wright combines a super-scary tale with a moving story about family relationships, as a young orphan tries to uncover the truth of a ghost''s long-hidden past and untimely death. A surefire, edge-of-the-seat winter vacation treat.

Brenda''s treehouse provides her with the privacy she needs to make a few discoveries about herself.

After Grandma dies the annual visit to her summer cabin is not the same but the cat next door remembers how things used to be and cheers a grieving grandchild.

While vacationing at a spooky cabin on Perch Lake, nine-year-old Chad tries to clear the name of Tim Tapper, the cabin''s ghostly inhabitant, who was blamed for a truck accident in the 1930s.

When Jenny and her younger sister move to a new house--the seventh in the five years since their mother''s death--they discover a ghost bent on getting revenge on their elderly neighbors.

Jenny’s new house has an unwanted ghost: “Readers will enjoy the imaginative pranks of the specter and the resourceful way [Jenny] solves her problem” (School Library Journal). Jenny knows she should be excited about the beautiful old house that her mother has inherited from Miss Nagle. She’ll finally have her own bedroom, and the place even comes with Rufus the cat, a ready-made pet. But when Jenny visits the house, she’s scared out of her wits. Giant snakes, elephants, and all kinds of terrifying creatures lurk around every corner. With a little help from Rufus, Jenny discovers who’s behind these spooky happenings. It’s the ghost of Miss Nagle’s grandmother, the once-famous witch of Willowby Lane. The ghost witch loves to scare people, and she thinks Jenny and her friends will be perfect targets. Jenny decides to meet the ghost witch face-to-face in this scary, yet delightful short-chapter book.

Eleven-year-old Emily invents a variety of schemes to get rid of her new step-grandmother since she poses a threat to Emily''s close relationship to her grandfather.

While running an errand during a snowstorm, Alexandra, a daydreamer, finds that reality also has its advantages.

After her widowered father remarries, a young girl''s cat helps her make a few important discoveries about herself.

Policeman Jack''s dog Belle and cat Kitty do their bit to fight crime on a daily basis and combine forces to capture a burglar.

A girl learns that glamour isn’t always what it seems: “Well written with humor, strong characterization, and a convincing plot” (School Library Journal). Twelve-year-old Caroline feels torn. She grieves over her sister who has a severe heart problem that keeps her in and out of the hospital. But at the same time, she is jealous of her sister’s beauty and sweet disposition, which causes everyone to admire her. Caroline longs to be beautiful, to get attention from her parents—just to be somebody, anybody, other than plain old Caroline Cabot. Her self-image changes, however, when she meets glamorous seventeen-year-old Lillina MacGregor. Lillina makes her feel like somebody, but does Lillina tell the truth? Is she really 17? And married? And a model in New York? Caroline must rely on her inner strengths as she discovers the truth about Lillina, and will face several challenging situations during “the summer of Mrs. MacGregor.”

Daisy Gorman spends two weeks with her classmates family at a run-down beach house while her mother is covering a story as a reporter. She thinks it will be a boring vacation until she see a strange figure roaming the beach and makes a grisly discovery in one of the caves.

Nine-year-old Abby surprises herself, her equally timid baby-sitter, and her older brother when they are haunted by a ghost that is trying to reclaim a stolen music box.

The big piano recital is coming up soon, and Rosie feels anything but ready—“captures the down-to-earth rhythms of suburban life, spiced with humor” (Kirkus Reviews). Even though Rosie has only nine fingers, she’s always managed well. Until now. For some reason, she can’t master the piano solo she’s been rehearsing for the annual recital. It’s called “The Dance of the Dinosaurs,” and it’s hard! As the recital draws near, Rosie is desperate. Why does everything seem so much more difficult now? Is it because she misses her father? Since he moved to Milwaukee to take a new job, Rosie’s been miserable, and her mother has been acting kind of strange. Or is Rosie having trouble because she’s worried about the burglar who’s been secretly visiting her house? Then, too, there’s Mary Jean, the new girl in town. Not only is she rich and pretty, but she plays the piano beautifully. In the weeks before the recital, Rosie fights some hard battles. To her surprise, she discovers that having nine fingers isn’t such a bad thing after all.

When Jessica moves to her grandmother''s childhood home and makes friends with the handicapped girl next door, she begins to have nightmares about the old schoolhouse in the woods.

Nine-year-old Chad and his friend Jeannie try to discover who is breaking into their neighbor''s house, while Chad also deals with his suspicions about why is father has been spending so much time away from home.

During his service in the Civil War a young Union soldier matures to manhood and finds peace of mind as he comes to grips with his conflicting emotions about war.

Charli''s impulsive uncle, Will Crandall, decides to buy the town''s abandoned, possibly haunted castle and fix it up as a bed-and-breakfast, but Charli and Sophia, a clairvoyant orphan who has come to stay with the Crandall family, know his plan is somehow dangerous.