Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ten-year-old raises the dead in creepy Gothic classic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE HOUSE WITH A CLOCK IN ITS WALLS is the new home of 10-year-old Lewis Barnavelt, whose parents have just died in an accident. It's 1948, and the house belongs to his uncle Jonathan, a stranger to Lewis, who has been warned that the man smokes, drinks, and plays poker. As it turns out, Uncle Jonathan is also a warlock (a male witch/sorcerer). So was the house's original owner, who may have something to do with the mysterious ticking that never goes away. Lewis is starting to enjoy his new life and even thinks he's made a friend -- but when the new friend turns mean, Lewis is desperate to impress him, so he goes to the cemetery on Halloween to raise someone from the dead. What could possibly go wrong?
Is It Any Good?
John Bellairs' tale of a 10-year-old orphan, his warlock uncle, and world-destroying villains back from the dead -- first in a long series -- has entertained and spooked readers since 1973. Edward Gorey's classic illustrations manage to be both creepy and endearing. There's more than a bit of "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" as young Lewis Barnavelt gets in way over his head raising people from the dead, and a strong sense of loving (if really strange) family and friends to set things right.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the magic spells in The House with a Clock in Its Walls. How does the magic in this book compare with that in other stories you've read or seen in movies?
Do you think you'll go see the movie of The House with a Clock in Its Walls when it comes out? What do you think might be better in the movie -- and what seems like it would be better in the book version?
Do you think that the story being set in 1948 is important? What might be different if it happened now?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Edward Gorey
- Genre : Horror
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Puffin Books
- Publication date : August 3, 2004
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 192
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : December 15, 2025
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