By GLENN TOLLE
I’ve always loved books about haunted houses. Like most kids growing up, I believed my house was also haunted. But as I grew older I realized that the footsteps I thought I heard late at night were simply the creaks and groans of a well lived home, the bony hands at my window simply branches. Those memories bring to mind THE GHOST OF WINDY HILL by Clyde Robert Bulla, illustrated by Don Bolognese and published by Thomas Y. Crowell in 1968.
The book concerns a man and wife by the name of Giddings (Mr. and Mrs) come to ask Professor Carver a question of utmost urgency. They had heard that the Professor had once stayed in a haunted house and drove out the ghost that presided in it and have come to ask if he would do the same for their house on Windy Hill. At first, Professor Carver is opposed to the idea, having never driven any ghost out of any haunted house. In fact, he had merely stayed with his family in a house that his friend believed to be haunted to prove that it wasn’t. Given that he does not believe in ghosts, Professor Carver does not believe he can help the couple but, after talking with Mr. Giddings again, he has a change of heart and moves into the reputed house along with his family. What follows is a spine tingling tale that’s sure to send shivers up young readers’ spines…
I bought THE GHOST OF WINDY HILL for five dollars at an antique store and it has since become one of my favourite books. When I first read it I was 17 and even then it spooked me slightly. Give it a read and see what you think.
THE GHOST OF WINDY HILL is a breezy and well-paced read that maxes out at 84 pages. My edition can be found on AMAZON for $5.89 + free shipping, used, in “Very Good” condition.
