Plot Summary

The House With a Clock in Its Walls

John Bellairs
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The House With a Clock in Its Walls

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1973

Book Brief

John Bellairs

The House With a Clock in Its Walls

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1973
Book Details
Pages

179

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Zebedee, Michigan • 1950s

Publication Year

1973

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

800L

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Super Short Summary

In The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs, ten-year-old Lewis Barnavelt, after being orphaned, moves to New Zebedee, Michigan, to live with his mysterious Uncle Jonathon, who turns out to be a warlock. Lewis discovers his uncle's house hides a clock with a sinister purpose and becomes entangled in a magical adventure to prevent an evil plot from resurrecting and destroying the world.

Mysterious

Fantastical

Suspenseful

Unnerving

Adventurous

Reviews & Readership

4.1

22,579 ratings

63%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

John Bellairs' The House with a Clock in Its Walls is praised for its gothic atmosphere, engaging plot, and rich character development, making it a beloved entry in children's horror fiction. Some critics noted that the pacing occasionally lags, and the dense descriptions may not appeal to all young readers. Overall, it's a charming and spooky adventure that captures the imagination.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The House With a Clock in Its Walls?

Readers who enjoy The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs are typically younger audiences who relish a mix of fantasy, mystery, and Gothic elements. Fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series and Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events will find similar enchantment and suspense in Bellairs' work.

4.1

22,579 ratings

63%

Loved it

29%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

179

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New Zebedee, Michigan • 1950s

Publication Year

1973

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

800L

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