Rereading: THE DIAMOND IN THE WINDOW by Jane Langton

Cover and illustrations by Erik Blegvad

Eleanor and Edward live in an unusual Victorian house in Concord, Massachusetts with their Aunt Lily and somewhat confused Uncle Freddy. The house needs work, and they are well behind on taxes. Aunt Lily does her best, but can’t seem to keep up, and Uncle Freddy, with his obsessions about local authors Thoreau and Emerson, is more hindrance than help.

The children discover a hidden attic room with a remarkable diamond window and two beds, as well as a collection of toys, and for the first time hear about their long-lost Uncle Ned and Aunt Nora, as well as Aunt Lily’s boyfriend Prince Krishna, who all vanished mysteriously before they were born. The window includes a poem that hints of hidden treasure, and Eleanor and Edward are determined to find it and help the family, and once they begin sleeping in the attic room, soon find themselves having unusual magic dreams that involve that treasure. But there’s also a menacing figure that threatens them. Is that who stole away the missing people?

Langton began a long series about the Hall family with this book, combining magic, mystery, and the philosophy of Concord’s native sons in entertaining adventures. Recommended.

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