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chmccann's review against another edition
3.0
I read this for the PopSugar reading challenge prompt "A book you loved as a child." I actually don't have specific recollections of this book, but I knew that I greatly enjoyed reading Bellairs as a kid, and he was instrumental in developing my enduring love of weird fiction and horror.
Unfortunately this didn't keep its magic for me. It had its moments, but felt a little off-key. I was also struck by how much Catholicism forms the backdrop - probably as a Catholic child, I didn't even notice! But as a non-religious adult, it jumped out at me, and made me wonder how accessible the story is to those of other faiths.
Overall, I think the story has weaknesses in plot and pacing that would be less noticeable to a young reader. And honestly I think my experience of Bellairs was greatly enhanced by the Edward Gorey illustrations that appeared in my old editions. They were absent from this printing, and sorely missed.
Unfortunately this didn't keep its magic for me. It had its moments, but felt a little off-key. I was also struck by how much Catholicism forms the backdrop - probably as a Catholic child, I didn't even notice! But as a non-religious adult, it jumped out at me, and made me wonder how accessible the story is to those of other faiths.
Overall, I think the story has weaknesses in plot and pacing that would be less noticeable to a young reader. And honestly I think my experience of Bellairs was greatly enhanced by the Edward Gorey illustrations that appeared in my old editions. They were absent from this printing, and sorely missed.
ashleylm's review against another edition
3.0
There's a lot of good in John Bellalirs' writing, and this 3-star book is fine, it's just not exceptional. The ostensible protagonist has little to do, and is for the most part extremely passive. Events tend to unfold despite the main characters' actions, not because of them, and ultimately the adventure is concluded in a sudden, somewhat haphazard way.
But it's pretty much charming throughout, I love how Bellairs' always features older characters in prominent parts, it's easy to read and flows nicely, and when I was a child this would have been spooky as heck. Sometimes I end up with 3-stars as a compromise between the bits I hate and the bits I love, but this is pretty much a solid 3 all the way through: it's the nice, clean Days Inn of children's books. It wasn't the highlight of your trip, but you'd certainly stay there again.
I do want to mention, though, that there's an inconsequential passage in the book about characters meeting by a statue: then it's explained that the statue honors a white woman who killed ten Indians (apparently in retaliation for their having killed her baby, which sounds unlikely). It has nothing substantitive to do with the book, but it rather jumps out as being somewhat upsetting, and not for the reason the author intended back then. So be aware of that, and you might want to mention to young impressionable people something about how standards and mores change over time, and that the book was set in 1951 and written in 1980.)
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
But it's pretty much charming throughout, I love how Bellairs' always features older characters in prominent parts, it's easy to read and flows nicely, and when I was a child this would have been spooky as heck. Sometimes I end up with 3-stars as a compromise between the bits I hate and the bits I love, but this is pretty much a solid 3 all the way through: it's the nice, clean Days Inn of children's books. It wasn't the highlight of your trip, but you'd certainly stay there again.
I do want to mention, though, that there's an inconsequential passage in the book about characters meeting by a statue: then it's explained that the statue honors a white woman who killed ten Indians (apparently in retaliation for their having killed her baby, which sounds unlikely). It has nothing substantitive to do with the book, but it rather jumps out as being somewhat upsetting, and not for the reason the author intended back then. So be aware of that, and you might want to mention to young impressionable people something about how standards and mores change over time, and that the book was set in 1951 and written in 1980.)
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s). I feel a lot of readers automatically render any book they enjoy 5, but I grade on a curve!
riflelizards's review against another edition
4.0
i remember reading a few of these when i was a kid and loving them, but never realized it was a 12 book series. recently, i was reminded of the series and was curious if they held up — and they do! the book was charming without being childish. i might plow through the rest of the series this summer.
hannahcpk's review against another edition
5.0
For a middle grade gothic, this was actually terrifying. Also, I am a scaredy-cat. That doesn’t help. For fellow scaredy-cats, don’t read this before bedtime!
thesleepyreader79's review against another edition
5.0
This book was recommended by my husband. When he was growing up, he read a lot of books by John Bellairs and really enjoyed them. I read The House with the Clock in its Walls and really liked it, so I was looking forward to reading this one.
The story centers around a boy named Johnny Dixon. His mother has recently passed away and his father is off to war again, so Johnny is living with his grandparents. Across the street from his grandparents is the eccentric Professor Childermass. The professor has been telling Johnny about a local legend, the ghost of a priest, Father Baart. Johnny is a smart, quiet kid who is often bullied by a boy in school named Eddie. One day while hiding from Eddie, he ducks into the church near the school and decided to wander into the basement. While down there he stumbles upon a hollowed-out book that has a scroll and a blue Egyptian looking figurine and it appears to have belonged to Father Baart. The scroll says not to remove the items from the church, but Johnny gets spooked and runs home, book in hand. The next time Johnny goes to the church he meets a man named Robert Beard. He seems odd and gives Johnny a strange ring. After that encounter, supernatural and strange things start happening and Johnny turns to Professor Childermass to help him out, fearing his grandparents won't believe him. As the days go by, Johnny is becoming more secretive and seems to be ill. Things take a turn for the worse. Can the professor help Johnny escape the curse of the blue figurine?
This is the first of the Johnny Dixon books. It is spooky, supernatural and just a really fun read. I love the character of Professor Childermass and his relationship with Johnny. Even though the book is technically for kids, it's not written in a kiddie way and there were a few times the author used words I had to look up. The author definitely doesn't water it down for kids. Adults will definitely enjoy these stories. I highly recommend any book by John Bellairs.
The story centers around a boy named Johnny Dixon. His mother has recently passed away and his father is off to war again, so Johnny is living with his grandparents. Across the street from his grandparents is the eccentric Professor Childermass. The professor has been telling Johnny about a local legend, the ghost of a priest, Father Baart. Johnny is a smart, quiet kid who is often bullied by a boy in school named Eddie. One day while hiding from Eddie, he ducks into the church near the school and decided to wander into the basement. While down there he stumbles upon a hollowed-out book that has a scroll and a blue Egyptian looking figurine and it appears to have belonged to Father Baart. The scroll says not to remove the items from the church, but Johnny gets spooked and runs home, book in hand. The next time Johnny goes to the church he meets a man named Robert Beard. He seems odd and gives Johnny a strange ring. After that encounter, supernatural and strange things start happening and Johnny turns to Professor Childermass to help him out, fearing his grandparents won't believe him. As the days go by, Johnny is becoming more secretive and seems to be ill. Things take a turn for the worse. Can the professor help Johnny escape the curse of the blue figurine?
This is the first of the Johnny Dixon books. It is spooky, supernatural and just a really fun read. I love the character of Professor Childermass and his relationship with Johnny. Even though the book is technically for kids, it's not written in a kiddie way and there were a few times the author used words I had to look up. The author definitely doesn't water it down for kids. Adults will definitely enjoy these stories. I highly recommend any book by John Bellairs.
rovingreader's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
funsizelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Fun adventure for boys, with horror and suspense to keep them reading. I liked it a lot and will continue with the series.
valhecka's review against another edition
4.0
Fifth grade! One of the only books that wasn't about the Holocaust!
I kind of loved this one. Need to track it down and reread.
I kind of loved this one. Need to track it down and reread.
bunnywatson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
calistareads's review against another edition
4.0
I can't believe many of these John Bellairs's books are going out of print. They are some great middle grade mystery, gothic and horror all rolled into one story. I read this for the first time and I enjoyed this little book set up in New England. Johnny find this little blue Egyptian figurine in the basement of a church one day and it starts all kinds of trouble. His cranky neighbor, professor Childermass helps him by being a friend. The end is rather thrilling. This is a quick read for middle grade literature. Find a copy and give this a read. Good stuff.