
The House on Hoarder Hill
by Mikki Lish and Kelly Ngai
Interest age: 9 to 11
Reading age: 8+
Published by Chicken House, 2020
About this book
Hedy and Spencer are staying at their mysterious Grandpa John’s house over Christmas, and already things are getting weird – strange messages are appearing in dusty picture frames, objects are vanishing without a trace, and they’re getting the distinct feeling that there might be unseen creatures in the house with them. With the help of their retired magician Grandpa, their cousins Jelly and Max, and some very unusual new friends, Hedy and Spencer set out to uncover the truth about their long-lost Grandma Rose…
This is no ordinary haunted house mystery - readers encounter a host of unforgettable spooky characters, fantastically imaginative plot twists and turns, and a ghostly mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There's some laugh out loud dialogue from Doug and Stan, the talking bear rug and mounted deer head, who serve as helpful guides to the siblings as they navigate their grandfather's house. Loveliest of all is the depiction of Hedy and Spencer’s relationship – in turn bickering siblings and best friends – which is beautifully realised. In particular the way the two children support and take care of each other in the scarier parts of the book is a wonderful reminder to readers to be compassionate and understanding, especially in dark times.
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