Common Sense Media Review
By Julie A. Carlson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Creepy, gory horror story based on Japanese folktale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
According to legend, Japanese handmaiden Okiku was brutally beaten and killed. For centuries, she wandered the world as a ghost, searching for peace and freeing the spirits of dead children by killing their murderers. It's not until she meets Tark, an American boy just as lonely as Okiku, that she wants to help someone. Okiku knows that whatever attracts her to Tark has to do with whatever lies beneath his intricate tattoos. Okiku, Tark, and his cousin Callie soon discover the tattoos' true meaning and the identity of the evil ghost who haunts Tark. The unlikely trio must travel from America to Japan to release Tark from the darkness enveloping him before it's too late.
Is It Any Good?
Even if you're not a fan of horror and ghost stories, you'll enjoy the creepy and mysterious THE GIRL FROM THE WELL. There's more heart and a message here than the usual fare, and it's a mesmerizing read. The novel is told from three third-person points of view; Okiku is the moral center, although she's a disjointed and sad character; readers will root for Okiku to protect American teenager Tark; and Tark's cousin, Callie, is a kick-butt heroine with guts and smarts.
Readers will learn a great deal about Japanese folklore and mythology, and don't despair after turning the final page -- Book 2 is in the works!
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the real legend of Okiku and other ghost stories and urban legends. What are some ghost stories from Western culture?
Research exorcism and how it varies across cultures and religions. Why is it a pervasive practice?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Friendship , History , Fantasy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Sourcebooks Fire
- Publication date : August 5, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 17
- Number of pages : 272
- Available on : Nook, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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