Spruce Street book: "The Ghost of Windy Hill"

In August I wrote about M for Mischief being one of the first books that I distinctly remember having, circa second grade. Well, there's at least one book I distinctly remember having even earlier than that. I had a copy of The Ghost of Windy Hill in my bedroom on Spruce Street in Montoursville when I was in first grade. It's not a cover you forget if you had this book during early childhood! Probably my first ghost-themed book. (This isn't that original, long-gone copy; it's one I came across a while back. And I just noticed that "69" on the back cover, which I'll see if I can gently rub off.)

This is the Weekly Reader Children's Book Club hardcover of The Ghost of Windy Hill, published by Thomas Y. Crowell of New York. The book, first published in 1968, was written by Clyde Robert Bulla (1914-2007) and illustrated by Don Bolognese. There have been other editions over the years, some with a different illustrator.

Illustrator Bolognese, by the way, talked about his long career in this 2022 interview and mentions a 1967 anti-war children's book he wrote and illustrated titled Once Upon a Mountain. 

The Ghost of Windy Hill is 84 pages, has numerous illustrations and is broken into 14 short chapters, one of which is titled "The Crazy Quilt." The story opens in a candle shop, as daylight is fading. It ends with a walk in the woods that includes a woman in a long, white dress. It's beloved by many, though some note that, while spooky at times, it doesn't quite rise to the level of "ghost story."

Here are some comments that I found sprinkled across Goodreads, Amazon and Facebook...

• The Ghost of Windy Hill was my favorite book as a little girl — my Granny had purchased the book for me through the Weekly Reader club for kids in elementary school
• I think any child who reads it will find it a fun read.
• The memorable aspect of "The Ghost of Windy Hill" is Bulla's portrayal of a warm, supportive family. 
• Simple, entertaining ghost story concerning a family who relocate to a country farmhouse for the summer and encounter rather strange situations. Eerie illustrations contribute to the very clever writing from Bulla. 
• The title of this story is very misleading. Of course there usually isn't really a ghost at the end of such stories but in this one there really isn't even a hint of one! 
• For a kids book it hits well above its weight class in creepiness.
• Great read for kids during the Halloween season. There is talk of a ghost but the main story centers around a family moving into a large farmhouse for the summer and in the end helping several of the new people they meet.
• This is what got me hooked on the kind of books I mainly read now.
• Started my lifelong love of horror!