What do you think?
The House on Stone's Throw Island
Till death do them part. . .
There is an island, far off the coast of Maine, where the ghosts of the past are restless. Few people even remember the family who built the house on Stone's Throw Island, let alone the terrifying truth about what happened to them. But the dead have long memories.
Josie Sandoval and Eli Barker are strangers when they board the ferry to Stone's Throw, traveling to the isolated island for a wedding. Then an immense storm blows in, and the wedding party is left stranded with no way to contact the mainland. . .and no idea that they have been targeted for revenge from beyond the grave. The only clues to the danger they're in are a scrap of an old Nazi uniform--and an unfamiliar voice, crying out for help in German. . .
Josie and Eli soon realize there's much more to worry about than guest lists and flowers. It's up to them to uncover the chilling history of Stone's Throw Island and put its ghosts to rest--or else this dream wedding will become an absolute nightmare.
There is an island, far off the coast of Maine, where the ghosts of the past are restless. Few people even remember the family who built the house on Stone's Throw Island, let alone the terrifying truth about what happened to them. But the dead have long memories.
Josie Sandoval and Eli Barker are strangers when they board the ferry to Stone's Throw, traveling to the isolated island for a wedding. Then an immense storm blows in, and the wedding party is left stranded with no way to contact the mainland. . .and no idea that they have been targeted for revenge from beyond the grave. The only clues to the danger they're in are a scrap of an old Nazi uniform--and an unfamiliar voice, crying out for help in German. . .
Josie and Eli soon realize there's much more to worry about than guest lists and flowers. It's up to them to uncover the chilling history of Stone's Throw Island and put its ghosts to rest--or else this dream wedding will become an absolute nightmare.
263 pages, Paperback
First published August 25, 2015
About the author
Dan Poblocki
28 books661 followersAuthor of The Stone Child, The Nightmarys, The Ghost of Graylock, and the Mysterious Four series,The Haunting of Gabriel Ashe, and The Book of Bad Things.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 22, 2015
A quintessential ghost story, The House on Stone’s Throw Island immediately elicits chills and thrills with introductory glimpses of uniformed men; seemingly from another place, a different time. Plainly panicked, a muddy girl appears and disappears, as if stuck in a loop.
With a permanent population totaling two solemn care-takers; Stone’s Throw Island was crowded when two families preparing to unite via fairy tale wedding, pour from a ferry, followed by the wedding director and her trusty assistant. In an almost unreliable-narrator style, the curiously detailed background of aforementioned, anxiety-riddled wedding director unravels. Obviously imperative, this character nonetheless seems better fitted for the supporting cast. Of course there is a method to his madness, but Mr. Poblocki is fantastically sly and sneaky about the reveal.
Intrigue and mystery beckon as myths and legends swirling the surrounding isles off the coast of Maine are shared. Soon, wickedly weird phenomena plague the guests. There’s barely time to ponder the peculiarities before a storm overtakes the tiny land mass, scattering the inhabitants.
An oddly appealing teen-aged duo, recently forced into friendship, grab the reins and drive the adventure down two totally different paths. Separately, they discover the true tragedy of Stone’s Throw Island. The theory that Germans actually invaded the United States during World War II seems unfathomable; but an old diary lends credence. With one junior sleuth trapped in a secret passage, the other packed like a sardine in the rapidly flooding, ancient jail cell; it seems their acquired knowledge will become futile.
Mr. Poblocki boldly brakes the breath-taking race against time and elements, evoking unexpected emotions and hope. The bond built between the compelling, quiet comic-book writer and polar-opposite, outspoken skeptic; along with the friendships formed when pseudo strangers are tossed together, smooth and sweeten the story. The storm passes, some lives go on.
This review was written for Buried Under Books by jv poore.
With a permanent population totaling two solemn care-takers; Stone’s Throw Island was crowded when two families preparing to unite via fairy tale wedding, pour from a ferry, followed by the wedding director and her trusty assistant. In an almost unreliable-narrator style, the curiously detailed background of aforementioned, anxiety-riddled wedding director unravels. Obviously imperative, this character nonetheless seems better fitted for the supporting cast. Of course there is a method to his madness, but Mr. Poblocki is fantastically sly and sneaky about the reveal.
Intrigue and mystery beckon as myths and legends swirling the surrounding isles off the coast of Maine are shared. Soon, wickedly weird phenomena plague the guests. There’s barely time to ponder the peculiarities before a storm overtakes the tiny land mass, scattering the inhabitants.
An oddly appealing teen-aged duo, recently forced into friendship, grab the reins and drive the adventure down two totally different paths. Separately, they discover the true tragedy of Stone’s Throw Island. The theory that Germans actually invaded the United States during World War II seems unfathomable; but an old diary lends credence. With one junior sleuth trapped in a secret passage, the other packed like a sardine in the rapidly flooding, ancient jail cell; it seems their acquired knowledge will become futile.
Mr. Poblocki boldly brakes the breath-taking race against time and elements, evoking unexpected emotions and hope. The bond built between the compelling, quiet comic-book writer and polar-opposite, outspoken skeptic; along with the friendships formed when pseudo strangers are tossed together, smooth and sweeten the story. The storm passes, some lives go on.
This review was written for Buried Under Books by jv poore.
November 23, 2020
اما جوسی داشت به این نتیجه میرسید که بخش عمدهای از اتفاقات زندگی انسان تنها تا زمانی غیرممکن به نظر میرسد که آن اتفاق واقعا رخ دهد؛ مانند عشق. جنگ. خانواده.
اگه هنوز کتاب رو نخوندین و دوست دارین باهاش آشنا بشین، این معرفی رو که در طفرهزن نوشتم بخونین.
این اولین کتابی بود که از دن پابلوکی میخوندم و روی هم رفته کتاب خوبی بود. داستان کتاب جالبه، تا حدی ترسناکه، ضرباهنگ خیلی خوبی داره و فصلهاش کوتاهه (که همیشه از این ویژگی خوشم میاد).
اما نقاط ضعفی هم داره. مثلا غیر از دو شخصیت اصلی داستان، شخصیتپردازی سایر شخصیتها چندان قوی نیست. جوری که مثلا مادر الی و جوسی واقعا تفاوت چندانی در ذهن من نداشتن. البته نویسنده یه جاهایی سعی کرده به شخصیتهاش پر و بال بده (مثلا ایمی شخصیت غرغرو و نازکنارنجیای داره و پدر الی خشنه و احتمالا دست بزن داره)، اما خب تلاش چندانی نکرده یا بهتره بگم تلاشش کافی نبوده.
پایان کتاب رو دوست داشتم. از اون پایانهایی بود که میپسندم و چند فصل پایانی خیلی برام لذتبخش بودند. ارزش یک بار خوندن رو داره؟ قطعا. به خصوص که فصلهاش کوتاه و راحتخوانه.
پ.ن: یک نکتهی جالب برام اشارهی نویسنده در خلال کتاب به یکی از کتابهای دیگهاش بود. فکر کنم اون کتاب با عنوان «نفرینشده» چاپ شده.
به این فکر میکنم که اگر آدمها میخواهند تا ابد با هم بمانند، باید برایش بجنگند. باید مجبور باشند از چیزی شبیه آنچه ما تجربه کردیم جان سالم به در ببرند. شرط میبندم در این صورت عروسیهای خیلی کمتری برگزار شود، اما آنهایی که بتوانند از آزمون سربلند بیرون بیایند، آنهایی که زنده میمانند، خب، تقریبا میتوانی مطمئن باشی رابطهشان از آن جنسی است که تا ابد پایدار میماند.
شاید اشتباه بکنم، اما به نظرم چنین چیزی برای رابطهی دوستی نیز صادق است.
November 12, 2020
داستان از جایی شروع میشه که دو خانواده از طرف عروس و داماد به سمت جزیرهای حرکت میکنن که قراره محل برگزاری عروسیای رویایی و باشکوه باشه اما با رسیدن به جزیره، اتفاقات عجیب و غریبی میافته که ذهن ما رو کاملا از حال و هوای عروسی جدا میکنه.
کتاب فضایی رازآلود و نسبتا معمایی و ترسناک داره. این داستان من رو یاد کتاب ده بچه زنگی از آگاتا کریستی مینداخت گرچه ژانرشون متفاوته. شخصیتها به خوبی پرداخته نشده و من با شخصیت خاصی ارتباط برقرار نکردم. ماجرا گرچه جالب بود ولی جای کار داشت بهتر باشه.
پایانبندی غیر قابل پیشبینی و خوب بود. امتیازم به کتاب ۳.۵ ه که به خاطر ترجمهی روون و پایانبندیش به بالا گردش کردم.
--------------------
یادگاری از کتاب:
توی این زندگی، چیزهایی که برامون یه راز باقی میمونن بیشتر از چیزهاییان که ازشون سر در میاریم.
کتاب فضایی رازآلود و نسبتا معمایی و ترسناک داره. این داستان من رو یاد کتاب ده بچه زنگی از آگاتا کریستی مینداخت گرچه ژانرشون متفاوته. شخصیتها به خوبی پرداخته نشده و من با شخصیت خاصی ارتباط برقرار نکردم. ماجرا گرچه جالب بود ولی جای کار داشت بهتر باشه.
پایانبندی غیر قابل پیشبینی و خوب بود. امتیازم به کتاب ۳.۵ ه که به خاطر ترجمهی روون و پایانبندیش به بالا گردش کردم.
--------------------
یادگاری از کتاب:
توی این زندگی، چیزهایی که برامون یه راز باقی میمونن بیشتر از چیزهاییان که ازشون سر در میاریم.
November 4, 2020
داستان کتاب با یک عروسی آغاز میشود. دو خانواده به همراه دو نفر هماهنگکنندهی عروسی، برای برپایی جشن عروسی فرزندانشان راهی جزیرهای متروکه میشوند که فقط یک زن و مرد به عنوان میزبان یا تدارکاتچی در آن زندگی میکنند. اما طوفانی به پا میشود و همهی راههای ارتباطی با خارج از جزیره از بین میرود. با اینکه گفته میشود جزیره متروکه است و کسی در آن زندگی نمیکند، اما جوسی (خواهر کوچک داماد) و الی (برادر کوچک عروس) که هر دو همسن هستند، شبح افرادی را در جزیره میبینند. جوسی و الی سعی میکنند سر از راز این جزیره اسرارآمیز دربیاورند...
در این کش و قوس تدارک عروسی و کشف جزیره، فصلهایی از کتاب از دفترچه خاطرات دختری به نام دوری روایت میشود که در سال ۱۹۴۲ نوشته شده است. در ابتدا تصور میشود که این دو داستان موازی است که در خلال کتاب بیان میشود اما رفته رفته که به پایان آن نزدیک میشویم، ارتباط بین این دو نیز برای خواننده مشخص میشود.
کتاب جالبی بود و توانست مرا با ماجراجوییهایی خودش همراه کند. در ابتدا کنجکاو بودم که بیشتر جوسی و الی و حتی دوری را بشناسم ولی کمکم، جزیره هم به عنوان یک شخصیت مستقل خودش را نشان داد که دلم میخواست اون را هم بشناسم و از تاریخچهاش بیشتر بدانم. هیجان و کشش داستان به قدری بود که صفحات آخر کتاب را یک نفس بخوانم تا زودتر بفهمم این جزیرهی عجیب چه تاریخ و سرنوشتی داشته است و عاقبت آدمهایی که برای عروسی آمده بودند، چه میشود. پایان کتاب واقعا شوکهام کرد. کمتر کتابی را با چنین پایان شوکبرانگیزی خوانده بودم. اصلا انتظار چنین پایانی را نداشتم. دلم میخواد یه بار دیگه داستان را بخوانم شاید این بار جور دیگری تمام بشه.
من این کتاب را با ترجمه دوست خوبم امین بهرهمند خواندم که این ترجمه لذت خواندنش را برایم چندین برابر کرد. یک ترجمه روان و عالی و بینقص!
در این کش و قوس تدارک عروسی و کشف جزیره، فصلهایی از کتاب از دفترچه خاطرات دختری به نام دوری روایت میشود که در سال ۱۹۴۲ نوشته شده است. در ابتدا تصور میشود که این دو داستان موازی است که در خلال کتاب بیان میشود اما رفته رفته که به پایان آن نزدیک میشویم، ارتباط بین این دو نیز برای خواننده مشخص میشود.
کتاب جالبی بود و توانست مرا با ماجراجوییهایی خودش همراه کند. در ابتدا کنجکاو بودم که بیشتر جوسی و الی و حتی دوری را بشناسم ولی کمکم، جزیره هم به عنوان یک شخصیت مستقل خودش را نشان داد که دلم میخواست اون را هم بشناسم و از تاریخچهاش بیشتر بدانم. هیجان و کشش داستان به قدری بود که صفحات آخر کتاب را یک نفس بخوانم تا زودتر بفهمم این جزیرهی عجیب چه تاریخ و سرنوشتی داشته است و عاقبت آدمهایی که برای عروسی آمده بودند، چه میشود. پایان کتاب واقعا شوکهام کرد. کمتر کتابی را با چنین پایان شوکبرانگیزی خوانده بودم. اصلا انتظار چنین پایانی را نداشتم. دلم میخواد یه بار دیگه داستان را بخوانم شاید این بار جور دیگری تمام بشه.
من این کتاب را با ترجمه دوست خوبم امین بهرهمند خواندم که این ترجمه لذت خواندنش را برایم چندین برابر کرد. یک ترجمه روان و عالی و بینقص!
October 3, 2016
I bought this for my kids at the school book fair. A. Because it's set in Maine B. Because it was on sale for $2.50 C. Because I secretly wanted to read it myself. OMG! Talk about suspenseful. Now I'm considering going back and reading the rest of his books. For me. All for me. And, yeah, really gonna bug the kids until they've read it, because... wow.
November 21, 2020
کتاب درباره یه مهمونی عروسی توی یه جزیره ست. اولش همه چی عادیه و با یه کتاب نوجوانانه رو به رو هستیم تا اینکه وقایع مرموزی شروع میشن و فضای نسبتا دارکی به داستان میدن. اتفاقی که منوی توی روند داستان گیر انداخت تکرار چندین و چندین باره تصویر دخترک هراسان توی خونه بود طوری که انگار زمان توی تله اقتاده و یه اتفاق واحد از چند زاویه تکرار میشه (یاد فیلم گربه و ماهی افتادم)
حادثه سو قصد و طوفان روند داستان رو سریع کرد و پیگیری برای خوندن ادامه داستان بیشتر شد. اون وسط یاد کتاب ده بچه زنگی آگاتاکریستی هم افتادم. در عین حال روند پایانی کتاب رو دوست نداشتم. اون همه اصرار برای گرفتن انتقام به طرز خیلی سادهای از بین میره و داستان زود جمع میشه.
ولی سوا از اینها چیزی که باعث شد زیاد با کتاب نتونم ارتباط برقرار کنم این بود که حس ترس رو اونطور که باید منتقل نمیکرد. به خواننده اجازه نمیداد در فضای وهم و اضطراب باقی بمونه
حادثه سو قصد و طوفان روند داستان رو سریع کرد و پیگیری برای خوندن ادامه داستان بیشتر شد. اون وسط یاد کتاب ده بچه زنگی آگاتاکریستی هم افتادم. در عین حال روند پایانی کتاب رو دوست نداشتم. اون همه اصرار برای گرفتن انتقام به طرز خیلی سادهای از بین میره و داستان زود جمع میشه.
ولی سوا از اینها چیزی که باعث شد زیاد با کتاب نتونم ارتباط برقرار کنم این بود که حس ترس رو اونطور که باید منتقل نمیکرد. به خواننده اجازه نمیداد در فضای وهم و اضطراب باقی بمونه
October 5, 2017
One of my favorite books ever! There is so much action and suspense in this book it just makes you not want to put it down. I highly recommend this book.
January 23, 2018
The spooky and mysterious read titled The House in Stone’s Throw Island, by Dan Poblocki, takes place on Stone’s Throw Island, a land mass off of the shore of Maine. The island has beautiful scenery, therefore many weddings are held there. There is also a gigantic house for celebration guests to stay. The Bakers and Sandovals were staying here to celebrate Aimee Baker and Bruno Sandoval's wedding. However, shortly after the partygoers arrived, a massive ominous storm struck. This left the crowd stuck on Stone’s Throw without contact with the main land. To keep themselves occupied Josie, Bruno’s little sister, and Eli, Aimee’s little brother, decided to explore Stone’s Throw. They came across an antique hut with a basement, but along with it paranormal activity. The book gets intense due to the ghosts Josie and Eli face on top of being stranded. The book’s ability to give the reader an uneasy feeling and to keep adding and adding intensity until the climax is reached makes it a good read.
The author used one major device in the fictional text that I really enjoyed. This was that the author switched between perspectives of Josie and Eli for almost every chapter. This is a wonderful aspect to utilize because it allows the reader to get contrast in perspectives, although both people are discussing the same event. The tool also shows how two different people could have the same opinion about the same event as well. For example, in the beginning of the story Eli felt uneasy about Josie. Then, in the next chapter it was revealed that Josie was uneasy about Eli as well. The change in perspective throughout the novel is a wonderful perk because it allows the reader to get multiple views on a subject or event rather than just one.
Another accomplishment Poblocki did to add to his writing was incorporate layers and layers of intensity, building up to the climax. Not only did Poblocki have different levels piling up, but each new level was worse than it could’ve been because of past intensities. For instance, the wedding party was first stranded and left without contact to the mainland. Then, Josie and Eli discovered a lot of paranormal activity that was worsened due to their lack of contact to the mainland. If the pair could talk to the mainland than they could leave the island earlier and disregard and avoid the ghosts they saw. The author’s ability to layer intensifies so that they greatly correspond with one another adds to the tale.
Overall, The House On Stone’s Throw Island was a great mystery book, hence I rated it five stars. The use of changing perspectives throughout the book added to it because it gave more information on certain events and subjects. This is an excellent way to help the reader as well because it allows them to ponder about what actually happened, rather than just agreeing with what one character states.
Also, the layering of intensity throughout the book was another factor that made me really enjoy the read. It keeps the reader at the edge of their seat and eager to learn what will happen next. The House On Stone’s Throw Island has a wonderful plot in general. I would love to talk about the crazy events, but you have to read it first! I would definitely recommend The House On Stone Throw’s Island to anyone that loves a good mystery!
The author used one major device in the fictional text that I really enjoyed. This was that the author switched between perspectives of Josie and Eli for almost every chapter. This is a wonderful aspect to utilize because it allows the reader to get contrast in perspectives, although both people are discussing the same event. The tool also shows how two different people could have the same opinion about the same event as well. For example, in the beginning of the story Eli felt uneasy about Josie. Then, in the next chapter it was revealed that Josie was uneasy about Eli as well. The change in perspective throughout the novel is a wonderful perk because it allows the reader to get multiple views on a subject or event rather than just one.
Another accomplishment Poblocki did to add to his writing was incorporate layers and layers of intensity, building up to the climax. Not only did Poblocki have different levels piling up, but each new level was worse than it could’ve been because of past intensities. For instance, the wedding party was first stranded and left without contact to the mainland. Then, Josie and Eli discovered a lot of paranormal activity that was worsened due to their lack of contact to the mainland. If the pair could talk to the mainland than they could leave the island earlier and disregard and avoid the ghosts they saw. The author’s ability to layer intensifies so that they greatly correspond with one another adds to the tale.
Overall, The House On Stone’s Throw Island was a great mystery book, hence I rated it five stars. The use of changing perspectives throughout the book added to it because it gave more information on certain events and subjects. This is an excellent way to help the reader as well because it allows them to ponder about what actually happened, rather than just agreeing with what one character states.
Also, the layering of intensity throughout the book was another factor that made me really enjoy the read. It keeps the reader at the edge of their seat and eager to learn what will happen next. The House On Stone’s Throw Island has a wonderful plot in general. I would love to talk about the crazy events, but you have to read it first! I would definitely recommend The House On Stone Throw’s Island to anyone that loves a good mystery!
September 6, 2021
This book is for 14 year olds but as a 20 year old reading this book, I quite enjoyed it. I couldn’t decide between rating it a 3 or a 4, so I’m gonna be generous and give it a 4 because the only complications I found was during the ending. The whole starting was okay.
I had expectations starting this book. I thought it would be light-hearted horror with a good ending where the ghosts would achieve peace and the plot would only thicken later on. Little did I know….
The horrors started almost immediately, with Margo seeing a couple of men on Stone’s Throw Island as she approached by sea. When she asks the caretakers, Charlie and Beatrice, they say that the both of them are the only ones on the island. So this definitely adds a sense of mystery and haunting to the atmosphere. Like something is here, but what?
Next, Josie encounters an echo of the past and Eli hears whispers from a foreign language. To add to this, they discover the whispers is “help” in German AND they find a swastika on the island. Me being someone who finds history to be a rather fascinating thing to study and I’ve watched a generous amount of documentaries on the Hitler’s regime and all his horrors, this part of the book definitely had me hooked to the story.
The plot was fast, there was no delay, no dilly-dallying. I rather found this book to be an enjoyable read.
The the ending happened and I could just feel the emotions running high among the group of survivors. Their friends turn to foe and they have to escape. There were some unnecessary scenes during the part when the Sea Witch comes to save the survivors, like the ghost coming to make a deal and that whole shenanigan that followed. Not a big fan.
Though the ending was definitely bizarre. Not everyone survived and this remains a bad memory for the people who did. I wish there was more of an explanation as to what happened after the last page of Dory’s diary, more explanation as to what happened to the ghosts, what happened to the missing people from the wedding party…. the ending was pretty vague and secretive but I guess that’s intended.
All in all, I enjoyed the book way more than I first expected. A solid 3.5, though I rated it a 4.
I had expectations starting this book. I thought it would be light-hearted horror with a good ending where the ghosts would achieve peace and the plot would only thicken later on. Little did I know….
The horrors started almost immediately, with Margo seeing a couple of men on Stone’s Throw Island as she approached by sea. When she asks the caretakers, Charlie and Beatrice, they say that the both of them are the only ones on the island. So this definitely adds a sense of mystery and haunting to the atmosphere. Like something is here, but what?
Next, Josie encounters an echo of the past and Eli hears whispers from a foreign language. To add to this, they discover the whispers is “help” in German AND they find a swastika on the island. Me being someone who finds history to be a rather fascinating thing to study and I’ve watched a generous amount of documentaries on the Hitler’s regime and all his horrors, this part of the book definitely had me hooked to the story.
The plot was fast, there was no delay, no dilly-dallying. I rather found this book to be an enjoyable read.
The the ending happened and I could just feel the emotions running high among the group of survivors. Their friends turn to foe and they have to escape. There were some unnecessary scenes during the part when the Sea Witch comes to save the survivors, like the ghost coming to make a deal and that whole shenanigan that followed. Not a big fan.
Though the ending was definitely bizarre. Not everyone survived and this remains a bad memory for the people who did. I wish there was more of an explanation as to what happened after the last page of Dory’s diary, more explanation as to what happened to the ghosts, what happened to the missing people from the wedding party…. the ending was pretty vague and secretive but I guess that’s intended.
All in all, I enjoyed the book way more than I first expected. A solid 3.5, though I rated it a 4.
November 30, 2025
Actual Rating: 3.5
A fun, fast read! Was it unrealistic? Yes. Was it probably historically inaccurate? Absolutely. But it's a ghost story - what do you expect? As long it's a fun time, I don't mind.
A fun, fast read! Was it unrealistic? Yes. Was it probably historically inaccurate? Absolutely. But it's a ghost story - what do you expect? As long it's a fun time, I don't mind.
February 15, 2024
The foreshadowing was a bit heavy-handed, but I guess you really have to hammer the message home when you're going to throw out some nazi ghosts. This wasn't my favorite Dan Poblocki book, he did make an effort to link the story to his others by mentioning Graylock Hospital, but the narrative felt far-flung compared to the ones I've read so far. It almost felt like Poblocki was torn between writing his usual middle-grade fiction and taking it further. More than once he shifted the perspective to the wedding planner and the tone became much more mature. It was still a great middle-grade ghost story, it just didn't match the vibe of Poblocki's other stories.
February 4, 2016
Easily one of the best books I've read as a classroom read aloud. It had great vocabulary and was very suspenseful. I teach at a Hebrew Day School so it was really interesting for the students to make connections with everything they had learned about WWII through family and other courses at school.
July 7, 2016
Pass this along to your middle schoolers who like "scary." Lots of action - especially towards the end, and a good teen boy/girl friendship. For some reason though it took my a long time to finish this one, despite my interest (263 pages of pretty small font). That has to be a bit of a red flag perhaps?
July 16, 2025
به نسبت باقی کتابای این نویسنده جذاااب نبود!
ولی خب یه مقدار کتاب حال و هوای جنگ جهانی دوم و آلمان داره.
از معدود کتابای این نویسنده بود که پایان تقریبا ناخوشی داشت😭
هی منتظر بودم تهش یه اتفاقی بیوفته و همه برگردن☹️
ولی خب یه مقدار کتاب حال و هوای جنگ جهانی دوم و آلمان داره.
از معدود کتابای این نویسنده بود که پایان تقریبا ناخوشی داشت😭
هی منتظر بودم تهش یه اتفاقی بیوفته و همه برگردن☹️
June 1, 2022
A student shared this spooky little ghost story with me. It was a fun, quick first book of summer. ❤️
November 5, 2017
*Potential spoilers ahead, read at your risk*
The House of Stone's Throw Island was actually quite enjoyable. There was no dilly-dallying in the plot; the plot wasn't stilted or slow. Everything in the plot was straight forward. The way Poblocki told the story added suspense to the story; in the story he tells it the way someone who already knows the entire story would tell. When he wrote the book he added comments similar to: "if only they knew not all of them would make it off alive..." or,"if only she looked up." Another characteristic I adored was how the book gave me goosebumps in broad daylight. The journal entry of the girl who used to own the island left the reader with wanting to know what the what happened on the island to issue hauntings. A remarkable attribute the book had was how every detail, no matter how small or big, contributed to the story later on. It was quite fun to see how all these scattered pieces connected together. Lastly, my favorite thing about the book was how the kids don't help the ghosts find peace or save everyone. Instead, the ending is quite open to what may happen to the ghosts and to the party members who died...(hehehe, do you want to read the book know?)
Regretfully, this book did have some things I didn't quite particularity enjoyed. Poblocki introduces about eleven characters in the beginning of the book, and while I learned their names quickly, I felt as if each character didn't have a distinct personality. Each character did have their own role in the story, but the majority of the personalities were flat and unremarkable. Furthermore, I felt as if Poblocki introduced some distinct characteristics about Eli's father, but we never get to understand Eli's father; to me, Eli's father's personality seems to serve the purpose of the unpleasant character everyone doesn't particularity like. It would have been nice to know why Eli's father behaves this way and to explore Eli's relationship with his father.
This book was actually recommended to me by a close friend. As a person who doesn't normally read mystery(/or horror, I guess) books, I thought I would end up hating the book. The House on Stone's Throw Island was actually engaging to me. The people who might enjoy the book are probably mystery enthusiasts, paranormal fans, and horror fans. However, this book isn't just limited to those books, anyone could read this book and enjoy it, so if you're looking for a thriller, just read this the House on Stone's Throw Island.
The House of Stone's Throw Island was actually quite enjoyable. There was no dilly-dallying in the plot; the plot wasn't stilted or slow. Everything in the plot was straight forward. The way Poblocki told the story added suspense to the story; in the story he tells it the way someone who already knows the entire story would tell. When he wrote the book he added comments similar to: "if only they knew not all of them would make it off alive..." or,"if only she looked up." Another characteristic I adored was how the book gave me goosebumps in broad daylight. The journal entry of the girl who used to own the island left the reader with wanting to know what the what happened on the island to issue hauntings. A remarkable attribute the book had was how every detail, no matter how small or big, contributed to the story later on. It was quite fun to see how all these scattered pieces connected together. Lastly, my favorite thing about the book was how the kids don't help the ghosts find peace or save everyone. Instead, the ending is quite open to what may happen to the ghosts and to the party members who died...(hehehe, do you want to read the book know?)
Regretfully, this book did have some things I didn't quite particularity enjoyed. Poblocki introduces about eleven characters in the beginning of the book, and while I learned their names quickly, I felt as if each character didn't have a distinct personality. Each character did have their own role in the story, but the majority of the personalities were flat and unremarkable. Furthermore, I felt as if Poblocki introduced some distinct characteristics about Eli's father, but we never get to understand Eli's father; to me, Eli's father's personality seems to serve the purpose of the unpleasant character everyone doesn't particularity like. It would have been nice to know why Eli's father behaves this way and to explore Eli's relationship with his father.
This book was actually recommended to me by a close friend. As a person who doesn't normally read mystery(/or horror, I guess) books, I thought I would end up hating the book. The House on Stone's Throw Island was actually engaging to me. The people who might enjoy the book are probably mystery enthusiasts, paranormal fans, and horror fans. However, this book isn't just limited to those books, anyone could read this book and enjoy it, so if you're looking for a thriller, just read this the House on Stone's Throw Island.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2019
Dan Poblocki and Mary Downing Hahn have pretty much cornered the market on traditional middle grade scary books, so I was surprised when a student returned this book without finishing it. I figured I should read it and try to figure out why. This same student also did not finish a MDH book, but loved Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh. Here's what I think.
Most kids today want books with characters who think and act the way they do and are solidly set in modern times. MDH books, especially, have an old world feel to them. The characters act like they're out of the 50s. Kids want sassy, sarcastic characters.
Stone's Throw is problematic. The two main characters are kids, but everyone else is a grown-up. The plot is complicated. A wedding is to be held in a mansion on a remote island off the coast of Maine. The bride and groom's immediate family arrive 2 days early and things quickly go south. The weather turns stormy. A ghost girl keeps entering Josie's room as if hiding. An abandoned building near the water holds secrets with a connection to the Germans and WW2. The plot complication involves a backstory we get through diary entries from a girl who stole away to the island during WW2. Evil doers from the past gain entry to the present by possessing some of the family members. How this happens is not fully explained. It's a rather slow moving story and kids will be bored with the WW2 part.
This is the kind of ghost story I remember from my childhood, which was in the 80s. Things have changed. Up and coming authors like Ellen Oh and Victoria Schwab write the stories kids want. City of Ghosts is an excellent example of what's hot.
Most kids today want books with characters who think and act the way they do and are solidly set in modern times. MDH books, especially, have an old world feel to them. The characters act like they're out of the 50s. Kids want sassy, sarcastic characters.
Stone's Throw is problematic. The two main characters are kids, but everyone else is a grown-up. The plot is complicated. A wedding is to be held in a mansion on a remote island off the coast of Maine. The bride and groom's immediate family arrive 2 days early and things quickly go south. The weather turns stormy. A ghost girl keeps entering Josie's room as if hiding. An abandoned building near the water holds secrets with a connection to the Germans and WW2. The plot complication involves a backstory we get through diary entries from a girl who stole away to the island during WW2. Evil doers from the past gain entry to the present by possessing some of the family members. How this happens is not fully explained. It's a rather slow moving story and kids will be bored with the WW2 part.
This is the kind of ghost story I remember from my childhood, which was in the 80s. Things have changed. Up and coming authors like Ellen Oh and Victoria Schwab write the stories kids want. City of Ghosts is an excellent example of what's hot.
July 23, 2025
اما جوسی داشت به این نتیجه میرسید که بخش عمدهای از اتفاقات زندگی انسان تنها تا زمانی غیرممکن به نظر میرسد که آن اتفاق واقعا رخ دهد؛ مانند عشق. جنگ. خانواده.
اگه هنوز کتاب رو نخوندین و دوست دارین باهاش آشنا بشین، این معرفی رو که در طفرهزن نوشتم بخونین.
این اولین کتابی بود که از دن پابلوکی میخوندم و روی هم رفته کتاب خوبی بود. داستان کتاب جالبه، تا حدی ترسناکه، ضرباهنگ خیلی خوبی داره و فصلهاش کوتاهه (که همیشه از این ویژگی خوشم میاد).
اما نقاط ضعفی هم داره. مثلا غیر از دو شخصیت اصلی داستان، شخصیتپردازی سایر شخصیتها چندان قوی نیست. جوری که مثلا مادر الی و جوسی واقعا تفاوت چندانی در ذهن من نداشتن. البته نویسنده یه جاهایی سعی کرده به شخصیتهاش پر و بال بده (مثلا ایمی شخصیت غرغرو و نازکنارنجیای داره و پدر الی خشنه و احتمالا دست بزن داره)، اما خب تلاش چندانی نکرده یا بهتره بگم تلاشش کافی نبوده.
پایان کتاب رو دوست داشتم. از اون پایانهایی بود که میپسندم و چند فصل پایانی خیلی برام لذتبخش بودند. ارزش یک بار خوندن رو داره؟ قطعا. به خصوص که فصلهاش کوتاه و راحتخوانه.
پ.ن: یک نکتهی جالب برام اشارهی نویسنده در خلال کتاب به یکی از کتابهای دیگهاش بود. فکر کنم اون کتاب با عنوان «نفرینشده» چاپ شده.
به این فکر میکنم که اگر آدمها میخواهند تا ابد با هم بمانند، باید برایش بجنگند. باید مجبور باشند از چیزی شبیه آنچه ما تجربه کردیم جان سالم به در ببرند. شرط میبندم در این صورت عروسیهای خیلی کمتری برگزار شود، اما آنهایی که بتوانند از آزمون سربلند بیرون بیایند، آنهایی که زنده میمانند، خب، تقریبا میتوانی مطمئن باشی رابطهشان از آن جنسی است که تا ابد پایدار میماند.
شاید اشتباه بکنم، اما به نظرم چنین چیزی برای رابطهی دوستی نیز صادق است.
January 22, 2026
I read this book during reading time with my students. The characters, setting, and most of the plot were really interesting. The pacing is good but the conclusion seems rushed and not fully explained. It leaves the reader with a lot of questions.
December 13, 2018
A young adult's read, ghost story. Well written, interesting concept.
January 23, 2019
Poblocki did a wonderful job setting a spooky scene with a complicated plot. While I love really scary stories, I would be careful recommending this to young or sensitive children. It was that good.
August 20, 2019
It was a very mysterious book. And left me on a Cliff Hanger.
March 6, 2024
Love a great ghost story!!!!
August 2, 2025
An easy five stars. Beautifully written traditional ghost story. The last chapter made me tear up a little.
November 24, 2025
Really good book. Step sibling in my opinion were written a little more romantically than they should have… but that’s just my perspective
September 23, 2019
SPOILER ALERT :
I like the book it’s just doesn’t hook me on any where I just want that bone tingling but it does not give me it I will not read this book agin
I like the book it’s just doesn’t hook me on any where I just want that bone tingling but it does not give me it I will not read this book agin
January 7, 2016
Here it is! The first full book of 2016!
I've read pretty much all of Poblocki's books and while this one is not my favorite by any means, it...really wasn't my favorite by any means. Now, I'll start by saying I love this guy and I will continue to read whatever else he publishes, I just felt like this book was...just very okay.
I was hoping that but I think that the way that the book went was actually even more heartbreaking, even unfair. I didn't expect a happy ending, since Poblocki is definitely not one to shy away from a more mature, and certainly very very dark form of middle school horror, but I was still hoping for a
Let's talk about the good: You know there are ghosts, and you know what--they actually do have a very threatening presence. Poblocki always makes very high stakes in his books and that's what really keeps them interesting. You know that the characters are really fighting for their very LIVES here.
I was invested all the way and even though it took less than two hours to read, I was thoroughly enjoying myself
The bad: I somehow didn't feel as invested in the characters since there were so many and they weren't fleshed out as well as in other books. There was one person who I was just like: who are you again? Like, you keep popping up but who exactly are you? It was almost hard to keep track of who was who sometimes. I also hoped that I could have liked Josie and Eli better, but something kept me from really clicking with them...maybe its because they did less exploring and mystery solving together because they were kinda just...being normal kids with normal kid problems and the snippets of the supernatural they were encountering was just very...tame. No real jumpscares T.T
Plus, something about the secluded island and the
So that's my take on the book--it wasn't a bad book and I think it had some scenes that were by far...some of the most mature Poblocki's got so far, but I just don't think all the elements worked together as well as they could have. But I'm looking forward to the next one!
I've read pretty much all of Poblocki's books and while this one is not my favorite by any means, it...really wasn't my favorite by any means. Now, I'll start by saying I love this guy and I will continue to read whatever else he publishes, I just felt like this book was...just very okay.
I was hoping that but I think that the way that the book went was actually even more heartbreaking, even unfair. I didn't expect a happy ending, since Poblocki is definitely not one to shy away from a more mature, and certainly very very dark form of middle school horror, but I was still hoping for a
Let's talk about the good: You know there are ghosts, and you know what--they actually do have a very threatening presence. Poblocki always makes very high stakes in his books and that's what really keeps them interesting. You know that the characters are really fighting for their very LIVES here.
I was invested all the way and even though it took less than two hours to read, I was thoroughly enjoying myself
The bad: I somehow didn't feel as invested in the characters since there were so many and they weren't fleshed out as well as in other books. There was one person who I was just like: who are you again? Like, you keep popping up but who exactly are you? It was almost hard to keep track of who was who sometimes. I also hoped that I could have liked Josie and Eli better, but something kept me from really clicking with them...maybe its because they did less exploring and mystery solving together because they were kinda just...being normal kids with normal kid problems and the snippets of the supernatural they were encountering was just very...tame. No real jumpscares T.T
Plus, something about the secluded island and the
So that's my take on the book--it wasn't a bad book and I think it had some scenes that were by far...some of the most mature Poblocki's got so far, but I just don't think all the elements worked together as well as they could have. But I'm looking forward to the next one!
March 3, 2017
This book was amazing!!! Again, I wish it more scary but either way it was still the bomb.com! like I have said before I like how this author doesn't mind having the main characters die.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews