Scan barcode
kristenremenar's review against another edition
3.0
I'm embarrassed that, as a children's librarian, it took me this long to finally read a Bellairs mystery. It wasn't the story that pulled me along so much as Bellairs descriptions full of yummy sensory detail:
"Lewis opened the book and flipped through the slick glossy pages. He held the book up to his nose. It smelled like Old Spice talcum powder. Books that smelled that way were usually fun to read. He threw the book onto his bed and went to his suitcase. After rummaging about for a while, he came up with a long, narrow box of chocolate-covered mints. He loved to eat candy while he read, and lots of his favorite books at home had brown smudges on the corners of the pages. A few minutes later Lewis was sitting up in bed with his pillows propped behind him."
Nice to use as examples for writing class to include five senses to draw the reader in.
"Lewis opened the book and flipped through the slick glossy pages. He held the book up to his nose. It smelled like Old Spice talcum powder. Books that smelled that way were usually fun to read. He threw the book onto his bed and went to his suitcase. After rummaging about for a while, he came up with a long, narrow box of chocolate-covered mints. He loved to eat candy while he read, and lots of his favorite books at home had brown smudges on the corners of the pages. A few minutes later Lewis was sitting up in bed with his pillows propped behind him."
Nice to use as examples for writing class to include five senses to draw the reader in.
carolann331's review against another edition
4.0
A lonely, orphaned boy, a quirky uncle and neighbor, good magic, bad magic, and just the right amount of fright!
lynn1212's review against another edition
4.0
Imaginative and pure fun! There were some minor plot holes and I felt that the action in the conclusion could have been more intense. Overall, it was a pleasure to read and throughout I waited for something frightening to pop out of every shadow and around every corner! I can't wait to share this with my students and take them to see the movie!
gbliss's review against another edition
3.0
and a half stars.
It had charm. It had atmosphere. There are those Edward Gorey illustrations.
But it just didn't come together as a whole. There were bits and pieces -- the car ride/chase, the mean boy who proves to be a mean boy -- that felt incompletely developed. The sudden, simple Save The Day solution was also not very satisfying.
That said. I'll read book #2 and others by Bellairs out of curiosity.
It had charm. It had atmosphere. There are those Edward Gorey illustrations.
But it just didn't come together as a whole. There were bits and pieces -- the car ride/chase, the mean boy who proves to be a mean boy -- that felt incompletely developed. The sudden, simple Save The Day solution was also not very satisfying.
That said. I'll read book #2 and others by Bellairs out of curiosity.
cimorene1558's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read it rather than seeing the movie--I prefer both of John Bellairs other main characters to Lewis, but this is a fine and terrifying (rather elegantly so) book for a kid--and I'm not a scary book lover, so it's about as scary as I want, most of the time!
meganlee3001's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't know this was a book before I watched the film and when I found out I had to read it straight away.
I loved this book, it was a lovely old style heart warming story.
The illustrations were so beautiful and really added to the story.
I loved this book, it was a lovely old style heart warming story.
The illustrations were so beautiful and really added to the story.
katscribefever's review against another edition
A fun read that sweeps you along with young Lewis and his magical extended family. A children’s magic story before the days of Hogwarts. Definitely recommended to anyone who likes stories with a touch of magic and a hint of darkness.
mehitabels's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice little book, I imagine it is a less frightening Victorian era "Goosebumps" type book. I was desperate for something spooky. This was not grown-up spooky, but excellent fare for a sheltered child who is still young enough to believe in magic . . . at this point a two-year-old. They are all so jaded now.
labraden's review against another edition
3.0
Lewis's parents have died in a car crash, and he has gone off to live with his Uncle Jonathan who he has never met. When he arrives, he finds that his uncle spends lots of time with is neighbor, Mrs. Zimmerman. The house where his uncle is strange with secret passages and strange sounds including a never ending ticking in the walls that his Uncle Jonathan explains as a clock that was placed in the walls by the house's former owner, Issac Izard. Things go well for Lewis in his new home until he tries to impress his friend Tarby by successfully bringing Mrs. Izard back from the dead.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls is historical fiction, but includes many modern references. Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman are very unusual characters, but they are not well developed in the story. Lewis seems to acclimate a little too quickly to his new surroundings, but that is a minor complaint. Overall, this is a quick, enjoyable read.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls is historical fiction, but includes many modern references. Jonathan and Mrs. Zimmerman are very unusual characters, but they are not well developed in the story. Lewis seems to acclimate a little too quickly to his new surroundings, but that is a minor complaint. Overall, this is a quick, enjoyable read.
emilyfrizz's review against another edition
3.0
Is it silly of me that I never read this book because I was terrified of the cover as a kid? Finally dove into this book and enjoyed the spooky vibes. Yes, it's a children's book and quite simple and silly at times, but also very atmospheric and foreboding.