The House Next Door
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
For fans of Not Quite a Ghost and Ghost Squad, acclaimed middle grade author Ellen Oh of Spirit Hunters and an APALA Honoree delivers a new spooky middle grade horror novel about young hero Rory and the creepy house next door. Filled with scary spirits, mysterious noises, and malevolent forces, the house has tormented many souls, and Rory must do everything he can to prevent the new neighbors from becoming its next victims. We Need Diverse Books cofounder Ellen Oh delivers another heart-pounding story that you won’t be able to put down.
Home is where the sinister lives. Rory Parker knows not to step a foot in, on, or around the haunted house next door. He’s seen things creeping in the shadows, has had encounters with spirits, and lost a best friend to the house’s malevolence. But when his new neighbors, Jack and his lovable family, move in, this paranormal adventure forces Rory to make it his duty to protect them at all costs.
But the vicious forces lying within the house are plotting something evil, something that puts Jack’s little sister in extreme danger. Soon, Rory understands he’ll need the help of his new friend and some friendly ghosts in order to stand a chance at defeating the supernatural creatures that lurk within its walls for good. But what exactly lives in the house next door, and will Rory and Jack find out in time to save the day, or can its evil never be evicted?
Perfect for Halloween readingFeatures light scaresA charming cozy seasonal pick
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Japanese American 12-year-old Rory Parker becomes convinced that the house next door is haunted following a frightening encounter with an elderly apparition, who cautions Rory that children aren't safe there. His suspicions solidify when one of the home's human residents—a fellow middle schooler—is injured in a mysterious incident. Soon after the family's departure from the house, Korean American Jack Yoon, also 12, and his family move in, spurring Rory into action; he resolves protect his new friend with help from his grandfather, who suspects a yokai is the cause of the haunting. Then, during a sleepover, Rory and Jack encounter Timothy, a young ghost who reveals the true nature of the old spirit's warning and the entity inhabiting the abode. Up against supernatural monsters who prey on children, Rory must take a stand. Leveraging both evergreen adolescent worries and chilling depictions of things that go bump in the night, Oh (Haru, Zombie Dog Hero) cultivates an eerie, fast-moving tale of ghosts, creepy critters, and resourceful heroes with horror elements that induce just the right amount of shivers. Details drawn from the characters' respective backgrounds, including each family's cultural cuisines, enrich the narrative as the children bond over their similarities and revel in their differences. Ages 8–12.
