Wait Till Helen Comes

How does Molly feel about Heather at the start of the novel? Do her feelings change as the story progresses? In what ways? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

Family is an important theme in Wait Till Helen Comes. Describe some of the difficulties Molly’s family faces in becoming a united, loving unit. Do you think each family member is trying hard to overcome their differences with each other? Why or why not?

Heather is like the other little girls who drowned in Harper Pond: friendless and lonely. Why does Heather reject Molly’s friendship? Why do you think she turns to Helen for friendship? Is Helen a good friend? Discuss.

Molly declares that she does not like or love Heather but feels compelled to protect her from Helen. Why do you think Molly feels this way? In what ways does Molly save Heather? How does Molly’s rescue change Heather’s attitude?

Wait Till Helen Comes is a ghost story. How does Mary Downing Hahn create the novel’s spooky atmosphere? Detail some of the literary devices she uses to build suspense and fear. Use examples from the text to illustrate each literary device.

Molly is initially terrified to live next to a graveyard. Why do you think she is so frightened? Describe Molly’s thoughts and feelings about death. Do these feelings change over the course of the novel? In what ways?

Compare and contrast Michael and Molly’s thoughts about ghosts. Why does Michael refuse to believe in ghosts? Why does Michael keep telling adults that Molly does believe in ghosts when he knows this hurts Molly’s feelings and gets her in trouble? Do you think Michael feels the same way at the end of the novel? Why or why not?

Heather keeps her role in her mother’s death a secret for years. How does keeping this secret affect Heather’s personality? Her interaction with others? Does Heather change when she tells her secret to Molly and Dave? In what ways?