The Whisperer

The Whisperer: Short story by Vivien AlcockIn this children’s story by Vivien Alcock, a British girl visits a friend’s house for the first time. Sitting down to tea, she senses that she is being watched by someone hiding in the room. As she moves around the house, she hears strange whispering… “Let me in, please let me in.” She can’t see anyone, and later learns that the plea comes from a ghost that has been following the family for years. Thanks to the girl, the restless spirit is finally able to sleep. Themes include friendship, tolerance, compassion, forgiveness, the supernatural.

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A Change of Aunts

A Change of Aunts: Short story by Vivien AlcockIn this story by Vivien Alcock, eleven-year-old Meg and eight-year old William are horrified when their kindly Aunt Janet gets married and is replaced by wicked, cruel Aunt Gertrude. William’s greatest fear is that Gertrude will find out about the short cut to town that runs past the haunted pond in Teppit’s Wood. Everyone knows the story of the ghost but, of course, most adults don’t believe it. His fear is realized when late one evening Gertrude forces the two children to accompany her home through the woods. It turns out to be the last mean thing she ever did!

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