Vicki S. (curledupwithabook) -
Helpful Score: 1
Every now and then a children's/young adult book catches my attention and I'm so glad this one did. What a great premise for a very satisfying series! Since you can read the description of the book's story above, I'll simply say that this book was written at a level that will entertain both younger and older readers (and by older I mean adult).
It will interest those who enjoyed the Harry Potter series and anyone who likes fantasy, mystery, magic, time travel, and scary stuff. I will certainly read the next one!
It will interest those who enjoyed the Harry Potter series and anyone who likes fantasy, mystery, magic, time travel, and scary stuff. I will certainly read the next one!
Helpful Score: 1
So imaginative and interesting! I can't wait for book 2!
Reviewed by Allison Fraclose for TeensReadToo.com
Twelve-year-old Henry York's world-traveling parents have been kidnapped, so he has moved in with his aunt, uncle, and three cousins at their old farm home in Henry, Kansas. Even though he's stuck in a tiny converted closet up in the attic, Henry almost doesn't mind living with his relatives. In fact, he's kind of excited about it, because for the first time in his life, he can play baseball without a helmet, sit in the back of a truck, and own a knife of his very own (which his Uncle Frank bought for him).
One night, while Henry's lying on his bed in the little attic closet, a piece of plaster falls off of the wall behind him and hits him in the head. With his cousin Henrietta's help, he rips down all of the plaster on that one side to discover an entire wall of mysterious cupboards. In one, they can see a glowing yellow room and a man's leg. From another, wind howls and rain pours into the room when the door is opened.
Most of the cupboards are locked, but there is another mystery waiting in Grandfather's bedroom, which hasn't been opened since he passed away two years ago. Are all of these locked doors somehow connected? More importantly, what wonderful (or terrifying) things lie beyond them...?
Despite a slow start and a rather convoluted ending, this story certainly delivers for those itching for the blood-curdling and creepy.
Twelve-year-old Henry York's world-traveling parents have been kidnapped, so he has moved in with his aunt, uncle, and three cousins at their old farm home in Henry, Kansas. Even though he's stuck in a tiny converted closet up in the attic, Henry almost doesn't mind living with his relatives. In fact, he's kind of excited about it, because for the first time in his life, he can play baseball without a helmet, sit in the back of a truck, and own a knife of his very own (which his Uncle Frank bought for him).
One night, while Henry's lying on his bed in the little attic closet, a piece of plaster falls off of the wall behind him and hits him in the head. With his cousin Henrietta's help, he rips down all of the plaster on that one side to discover an entire wall of mysterious cupboards. In one, they can see a glowing yellow room and a man's leg. From another, wind howls and rain pours into the room when the door is opened.
Most of the cupboards are locked, but there is another mystery waiting in Grandfather's bedroom, which hasn't been opened since he passed away two years ago. Are all of these locked doors somehow connected? More importantly, what wonderful (or terrifying) things lie beyond them...?
Despite a slow start and a rather convoluted ending, this story certainly delivers for those itching for the blood-curdling and creepy.
I recommend this series for middle schoolers on up. I enjoyed it.
Well written and highly thought provoking. The idea of different lands linked together by small doors on a wall in this world was fascinating. This book is full of symbolism and mystery, although it's very easy to read and understand.
