The Secret of the Painted House

August 1, 2007
Gr 2-4-When nine-year-old Emily's family moves from Chicago to rural Illinois, she finds no neighbors but plenty of trees. While exploring she comes across a quaint old playhouse in the woods, and learns a bit of its history involving an artistic woman who deserted her family and a child who died in a fire. The walls are painted to look like the forest, including a lifelike rendition of the playhouse. Emily somehow enters the painting of the playhouse and meets the ghost of the young girl for whom it was built, who tries to keep her there. She is able to get out of the painting, but then realizes that her four-year-old brother has entered it, and she must go back to rescue him. The concept of a painting of a painting of a painting will appeal to children, as will the ghost element and captivity. The soft-focus black-and-white artwork is suitably shadowy and evocative without being too frightening. This is a dramatic fantasy with compelling characters that will capture readers' attention."Debbie Whitbeck, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland, MI"

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2008
Emily discovers that she can travel into the walls of a little playhouse to meet a child who died long ago. This short ghost story is tightly plotted and just eerie enough for independent readers who want to be spooked but don't want to have nightmares. The fantastical elements are easy to follow, the characters are engaging, and the ending is satisfying.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)