Deep and Dark and Dangerous facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Mary Downing Hahn |
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| Cover artist | Greg Spalenka |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Mystery, Horror |
| Published | 2007, Clarion Books |
| Media type | Print, ebook, audiobook |
| Pages | 187 pages |
| ISBN | 0618665455 |
Deep and Dark and Dangerous is an exciting mystery and horror novel for kids, written by Mary Downing Hahn. It came out on May 21, 2007, published by Clarion Books. The story is about a young girl who finds a torn photo. This photo leads her into a much bigger mystery.
Contents
Summary of the Story
A Summer Mystery Begins
Thirteen-year-old Ali O'Dywer is super excited for summer. She gets to babysit her cousin Emma at a lakehouse in Maine. This means she won't have to stay home with her quiet and often sick mom, Claire. Ali's mom and aunt Dulcie haven't been close for years. They had a big disagreement when they were teens, but they won't talk about it.
Before leaving, Ali finds an old photo. It shows her aunt and mom as young girls at the lakehouse. But a third girl is torn out of the picture. Only the letter T is written next to where she was. Ali's mom says she doesn't remember who the third girl was.
A Strange New Friend
At the lake, Emma makes a new friend named Sissy. Sissy is a bit rude and bossy. Ali and Dulcie get worried when Emma starts acting like Sissy. Emma throws tantrums and sneaks off without permission. She also becomes unusually stubborn and disobedient.
Sissy becomes more and more pushy. She walks into their cottage without being invited. She also scares Emma with ghost stories. These stories are about a girl named Teresa. Teresa supposedly drowned in the lake years ago. Ali finds more clues that Teresa might be the mysterious T from the photo. But Aunt Dulcie keeps saying it's not true.
The Dangerous Truth
One day, Sissy almost drowns Emma while they are swimming. Ali realizes Sissy is not just a bad friend, but truly dangerous. Dulcie, who hasn't met Sissy face-to-face, agrees. Sissy should not be allowed near Emma. The next time Sissy appears, Ali tells her to stay away.
But Sissy tricks Emma. She promises Emma a special doll that Emma really wants. Dulcie is shocked when she sees the doll. It is old and damaged from being at the bottom of the lake.
Finally, Dulcie tells Ali the whole story. Teresa was a mean girl who used to pick on Ali's mom, Claire. Dulcie often sided with Teresa. One day, Teresa took Claire's doll. She climbed into a small boat and threatened to throw the doll in the water. Teresa and Dulcie tossed the doll over Claire's head. Claire became very upset. Dulcie, tired of both girls, threw the doll into the lake.
To everyone's surprise, Teresa jumped in after the doll. She never came back up. Dulcie and Claire were scared they would be blamed. They agreed to keep it a secret. Teresa's body was never found. The family never returned to the cottage. This terrible secret caused the sisters to grow apart. Dulcie then shows Ali a full copy of the torn photo. Ali sees that the third girl is Sissy.
Finding Peace at Last
Sissy appears again. She admits she is Teresa. She says she is tied to the lake because her body was never found. She also says she caused the accidental drownings that happened every summer. Sissy demands that Dulcie be held responsible for what happened to her. If not, Sissy will keep haunting the lake and the family.
Dulcie tells a lawyer and then the police what happened. Both tell her that Teresa's death was an accident. Dulcie would not have been held responsible, even if she had told them right away. Sissy is not happy with this. She demands that Dulcie tell the whole town. Dulcie goes to the town newspaper, which agrees to print the story.
Meanwhile, Sissy secretly tells Emma where her body is. When the newspaper comes for photos, Emma says what Sissy told her. The story creates new interest in the case. The state police send divers to search the lake. Teresa's remains are found exactly where Emma said they would be. This unusual story becomes national news. Sissy is finally satisfied that Dulcie's secret is out. Teresa's living relatives learn about her discovery. They arrange for her to have a proper burial.
Ali meets Sissy one last time. She tells Sissy about the upcoming funeral. Sissy is much calmer now. She regrets the life she never got to live. Sissy tells Ali that after the funeral, she will leave the lake forever. Dulcie and Claire go to the funeral. This helps them let go of their old feelings. They are able to become close again. While bringing flowers to Sissy's grave, Emma finds the doll she was promised. It is now beautiful and new. Emma takes it home.
Awards
- Edgar Award for Young Adult (2008)
- Maud Hart Lovelace book award (2011, won)
