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423rd out of 552 books
—
430 voters
The Diamond in the Window (Hall Family Chronicles #1)
A very unusual house...Eddy and Eleanor Hall have always known that their family was a bit out of the ordinary. After all, they live in one of the most remarkable houses in all of Concord. But they never guessed just how extraordinary their house really is, or what tremendous secrets about their family's past it holds. That is, until they discover the magical attic room wi...more
Paperback, 256 pages
Published
October 31st 1973
by HarperCollins
(first published 1962)
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Feb 20, 2008
Wendy
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
everyone
Shelves:
time-travel
This is one of the best kids' books I've ever read--it's mysterious, funny, smart, touching, suspenseful, and thought-provoking.
I loved this book when I read it in sixth grade. The story stuck with me through the years -- probably more than any other novel I read at that age. It's spooky and unpredictable and completely engaging. But as much as I liked it, I forgot the title. I was thrilled when I finally figured out the title and got a copy of it as an an adult.
I think young readers might be impatient with all the information on transcendentalism. I suspect I skimmed through some of that as a kid, but it obviously did...more
I think young readers might be impatient with all the information on transcendentalism. I suspect I skimmed through some of that as a kid, but it obviously did...more
Mar 09, 2013
Cindy Amrhein
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-i-read-to-me
You may not have heard of The Diamond in the Window by Jane Langton. I recently bought a used paperback on Amazon , but the first edition to the left (1962) is the one that caught my attention when I pulled it from the shelf at the library when I was about 12. It had a profound influence on my imagination as a child.
Eddy and Eleanor lived in a cool old house in Concord, MA. Their family was a bit odd. One day they notice the diamond shaped attic window and realized they’d never been up there so...more
Eddy and Eleanor lived in a cool old house in Concord, MA. Their family was a bit odd. One day they notice the diamond shaped attic window and realized they’d never been up there so...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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The sexism fairy has slightly visited this book since my last read - Edward is a lot more proactive and decisive than Eleanor, he is going to grow up to be President, and she is not going to worry so much about her red hair and freckles - but other than that it was the same charming story I remember.
A large part of the charm is the interior illustrations that just capture the spirit of the book but the story itself gives moral lessons, and an education in Louisa May Alcott, Emerson and Thoreau t...more
A large part of the charm is the interior illustrations that just capture the spirit of the book but the story itself gives moral lessons, and an education in Louisa May Alcott, Emerson and Thoreau t...more
A delightful YA book with strong elements of magic. Eleanor and Edward discover a previously unknown *to them* attic room, and learn about The Mystery of the Disappearing Children. When they begin sleeping in the attic room, they have strange shared dreams in which they see and hear Ned and Nora - the missing children - but can never catch them. And then their dreams become downright dangerous!
Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau figure strongly in this story - at leas...more
Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau figure strongly in this story - at leas...more
I had never heard of this book, but it was recommended by a friend that fondly remembers it as one of her all-time faves as a kid. It is sort of a alternate-reality fantasy that mixes Transcendentalism (really!) with a good old-fashioned mystery about children that vanished within brother-and-sister Eddy and Eleanor's old house in Concord, Mass. Because of the locale, there is plenty of name dropping (and even quoting!) of Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, so there is a nice l...more
Delightful story of how two children in trouble find a riddle and attempt to solve it, no matter what the cost. Throw in a somewhat addled but lovable uncle who quotes the Transcendentalists by the yard, a hard-working and sad aunt, some vanished relatives and you have an engaging yarn indeed.
I think I would have liked this much better had I read it as a kid. I enjoyed the historical setting and the wealth of quotes. There are lots of truly funny lines here. The characters are all quite likable,...more
I think I would have liked this much better had I read it as a kid. I enjoyed the historical setting and the wealth of quotes. There are lots of truly funny lines here. The characters are all quite likable,...more
Anouther book in my Junior Fiction collection. I am starting to get a good collection of ideas for future read-alouds someday.
It was pretty good. I can't really say too much about it without running the risk of giving anything away. My biggest complaint was that it doesn't give a clear distinction between reality and fantasy. I like fantasy books quite a lot actually but I like when things are clearly fantastical and not when you are unsure if its just a dream you are reading or if it is actuall...more
It was pretty good. I can't really say too much about it without running the risk of giving anything away. My biggest complaint was that it doesn't give a clear distinction between reality and fantasy. I like fantasy books quite a lot actually but I like when things are clearly fantastical and not when you are unsure if its just a dream you are reading or if it is actuall...more
Even though my mother promised me we'd read the series together as some mother-daughter bonding, and decided to play GameCube with my brother (not that I'm bitter or anything...) this is still one of my favorite childhood memories. I used to wish my dreams were real and that in the morning I'd wake up with physical, tangible evidence that they existed. I never finished the series for some reason, but I read nearly all of them. This one is my favorite out of the series. A must read for all young...more
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I received this book as a Christmas gift when I was eight, I am now 30. I still find myself entirely enchanted by its wonders. The characters are so well developed, I still have a soft spot for poor Uncle Freddy and his embroideries. What a wonderful introduction this is to some of our most influential and revered historical figures: Louisa May Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau. I also loved the mystical elements of India and the Transcendental movement as a whole. Superbly though...more
Nostalgia!! I remember loving this book as a child and I really had to search to find it to read again. It’s still as special and magical as when I read it long ago! As an adult, I was a little more bothered by things not addressed/explained, such as: How old are the kids (and other family members)? What exactly happened to the kids’ parents and how long before did it happen (and did the kids know/miss the parents)? What exactly happened to Ned/Nora/Prince Krishna during the time they were missi...more
I desperately wish that I had read this book as a child. I would have loved it so freakin' much! Fantastical, exciting, and pretty educational. Missing children, crazy uncles, a mysterious maharajah, and magical dreams combined with references to Emerson, Thoreau, and Louisa May Alcott, along with terrifying adventures and laugh-out-loud dialogue make this book one that I will happily share with kids.
This book and in particular, the first line of the poem in it (which is the 'treasure map') has stuck with me for many, many years. I first read this in the eighth grade (1977), when I was exploring alternate belief systems and stumbled on Transcendental Meditation.
I had never forgotten the first line of the poem.
"Objects symbols are, of treasures transcendental..."
I had never forgotten the first line of the poem.
"Objects symbols are, of treasures transcendental..."
Nov 25, 2011
Mnemosyne Mars
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Madeleine L'Engle fans
Recommended to Mnemosyne by:
Mom
Shelves:
fiction
A masterpiece of children's literature. This novel combines philosophy, psychology, magic, history, myth, religion, mystery, poetry and puzzle-solving into a wondrous tale of discovery and adventure. It stands on my shelf next to my Madeleine L'Engle collection. (For fellow fans of her mystical prose, you will understand the honor of that gesture.)
Another one from my sister's list. This had particular charm because of a local connection - it's about modern kids living in Concord, MA and their fantasies about Alcott, Thoreau, and Emerson. I grew up nearby and it felt close. Also I loved the dreams - anything with lots of scary and fantastic dreams strongly affected me.
One of my favourite books as a child, one that I reread and reread and now had the pleasure of reading to my children. Good characters, interesting background (town of Concord) and a wonderful treasure hunt plot with lots at stake. Just found out there's more in the series and planning to start book two soon.
I read this book years ago and reread it again as an adult. Loved it except for the ending, which has the female protagonist decide to get married instead of becoming a teacher. She could have done both! It really bugged me, even as a kid in the early '60's when I first read it. Good mystery though!
My daughters like it too! They felt it was a little slow getting started, but once we got a few treasures in, they didn't want to stop. Listened to it in record time. I'm glad they liked it too!!
This was a favorite of mine when young, but I didn't realize till I looked it up here on Goodreads that it was first in a series. Maybe we'll try more of the series...
This was a favorite of mine when young, but I didn't realize till I looked it up here on Goodreads that it was first in a series. Maybe we'll try more of the series...
This was an odd little book that was nonetheless enjoyable. It follows the adventures of a brother and sister as they attempt to find a treasure hidden in their house. What makes this book unique is that it is full of references to transcendentalists such as Thorough and Alcott.
I did not just read this book, but read it as a kid. I'm thinking I was 8 or 9. It has always been on my mind that I thought it was a super book. I just recently found an out-of-print copy and can't wait to re-read it again, and let the younger kids read it too.
I read this as a child, and it had such an impact on me that I gave a small homage to the book in the novel I am publishing. It's one of those books you read as a child that stays with you. I think I'll order a copy and read it again!
A neat little fantasy/mystery story about just the sort of adventure I would have wanted to have as a kid. Featuring: clever young protagonists, a mysterious gothic-style house, a secret room, a hidden treasure, and... Transcendentalism. 3.5 stars?
A young adult novel, probably the first I read that hit me as a novel, one I read to my own kids when they were young. But be sure you get the version with Langton’s own drawings in them—before the Homer Kelly series.
why: I just discovered that one of my favorite books from childhood (The Fledgling) is part of a SERIES!
I just read this book to my 9-year-old daughter. I don't know how I missed it when I was a kid. It was absolutely delightful!
Langton masterfully weaves snippets of Emerson, Thoreau, and Transcendentalist thought into a children's story in a manner I never would have thought possible. Utterly amazing!
Langton masterfully weaves snippets of Emerson, Thoreau, and Transcendentalist thought into a children's story in a manner I never would have thought possible. Utterly amazing!
Juvenille Fiction. I read this as a young girl. I loved it! It made a real impression on my mind that has stayed with me. It is first in the series of Edward and Eleanor.
Read this book as a kid and LOVED it. My first foray into fantasy/mystery/paranormal. Still remember it so well, especially the wedding gown spun out of snowflakes.
This is my all time favorite book from when I was a child. Very imaginative, mysterious and fun. Sparked my interest in the weird and paranormal, I think.
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Langton was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She studied astronomy at Wellesley College and the University of Michigan, receiving a bachelor's degree in 1944. She received an M.A. in art history from the University of Michigan in 1945, and another M.A. from Radcliffe College in 1948. She studied at the Boston Museum School from 1958 to 1959.
In 1961 Langton wrote and illustrated her first book for ch...more
More about Jane Langton...
In 1961 Langton wrote and illustrated her first book for ch...more
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Feb 20, 2008 07:31am
Sure, it's time travel, if not the trad...more
Feb 20, 2008 07:46am