The House on Parchment Street

by Patricia A. McKillip, Charles Robinson (Illustrator)

While staying with her cousin in England, a young girl helps him find a way of helping the troubled ghosts inhabiting the cellar of the house.

Genres: Fantasy, Ghosts, Childrens, Young Adult, Mystery, Fiction, Middle Grade

192 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

Patricia Anne McKillip was an American author of fantasy and science fiction. She wrote predominantly standalone fantasy novels and has been called "one of the most accomplished prose stylists in the fantasy genre". Her work won many awards, including the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2008.

Reviews

[Nicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn’t really quite what you’d expect if you know McKillip’s other work; it’s for a younger audience, and it feels like a different sort of story altogether. It’s more like… Famous Five, with ghosts; it’s not the total magic of The Forgotten Beasts of Eld or Winter Rose. It’s fairly specifically placed in time and space, and it has a lot of concrete, real-world detail.

The writing is still absorbing, the characters well portrayed, but the magic is really what I read McKillip’s work for, and this wasn’t at all like that. It’s also, as I said, rather younger; the kids are very frustratingly kids. Realistically, but yeesh. Puberty is not so interesting when you’re out on the other side of it.

I’m fairly lukewarm about it, in the end; it was fun enough to read, but it’s not by any measure a favourite and I wouldn’t have minded having to skip it.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms McKillip writes a wonderfully realistic book about three teens investigating a ghost in the cellar. The kids are well drawn and subject to the moods, tempers and pressures of being fourteen. Lessons are learned about how one is judged based on behavior, but they are not heavy handed nor does the author dwell on them.

The adults are as well drawn and diverse instead of the caricatures often found in YA fiction. Ms McKillip infuses humor and quite a bit of understatement into the story. I also like that she left most of the mystery unsolved, so no ones really knows who these people wereand exactly what really happened 300 years earlier.

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized soon after starting this that I had in fact read it as a kid -- however, the only bit I remembered clearly is the (not important to the plot) scene near the start where Carol is cold her first night in England and uses the antique warming pan, not realizing one is supposed to remove it from the bed before going to sleep.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year, I decided I would read my way through Patricia A. McKillip's books in publication order. This would let me catch up on the ones I'd never read and reread the ones I had, without stressing about how to choose which one to read at any particular time. I expected to have to skip this one as it is long out of print, but I found a library copy.

I'd been warned it was skippable anyway, and not like McKillip's other books. It's true that it's not like McKillip's other books - it's not a full blown fantasy, it's much more down to earth in its language and it is more a book for children than adults, or even young adults.

I didn't care about any of those things. I found this a lovely children's ghost story about relatable characters, a cool priest (my Catholic childhood likes that as priests are often villains or disagreeable in some way, especially these days), a lost tunnel and English Civil War history.

Unless you are particularly looking for McKillip's lyrical, and sometimes impenetrable, prose for your next read, I do recommend this for a quick, enjoyable read. It's different, but I don't think it needs to be considered skippable.

[Keri Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The House on Parchment Street has major cozy vibes alongside its ghosts. It reminds me a little of The House with a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs, but with older protagonists, a more contemporary setting, and with ghosts instead of magic. It's also a little bit Nancy Drew, with the mystery surrounding why the ghosts are appearing being at the forefront of the plot. This is definitely a book I would have enjoyed more when I was younger, especially because it features a secret passageway. (Discovering a secret passageway was my chief goal and ambition for the entire duration of my childhood.) It’s a bit uneven and meanders more than I would like, with some parts of the story being more compelling than others. Very different from McKillip's usual fantasy fare, but worth checking out if you're looking for a middle grade mystery that is slightly spooky as well as cozy!

[Glasdow Teacosy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful children's book. I enjoyed it immensely.

American Carol is a red-headed fish out of water sent to live with family in England for a cultural experience. She doesn't get along with the boys in the neighborhood, doesn't get along with her cousin, Bruce, she's clumsy and breaks things, and she bumps into a ghost in the basement. Can this trip get any worse?

Fortunately, Carol makes friends with Bruce and together they work to solve the mystery of a sword wielding pilgrim and a young girl, both who show up every day at 4pm and walk into the wall.

My only complaints about the book were the overly sensitive boys, Bruce & Alexander, and an issue with focus. Bruce was an artist in secret, and Alexander was a poet. Something about that aspect of the story felt unreal to me, which I found amusing since I was believing the bit about ancient ghosts. As for focus, the story began in Carol's point of view, but towards the end she became a spectator and Bruce became the main character. I felt that weakened the impact of the narrative.

Overall, though, I was delighted by the book and can't wait to read it to my kids.

[Melanti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of what I said about The Night Gift applies here as well.

This is one of her earliest books (her second, I think?) and it still doesn't have that trademark "McKillip" style. And, also like Night Gift, it doesn't seem the slightest bit dated, despite it having been written nearly forty years ago.

It's the story of two cousins who discover ghosts in their basement and decide to find out what they're doing there. It's a lovely, sweet story, and I suspect that if I'd found and read it at a younger age, I would have adored it.

Alas, I've grown up.

[CLM · Rating 4 out of 5]

When American Carol comes to visit her English relatives, they find her extremely annoying. However, she and her cousin Bruce become unexpected allies when they realize only they two can see mysterious ghosts in house.

[Andy Zach · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've long been a fan of Patricia McKillip's fantasy. I vaguely recalled reading this book about 30 years ago and just remembered I didn't care for it. So I read it again.

My perspective changed. It's a good, coming-of-age mystery for young adults with some ghosts.

The story begins with Carol arriving by bus at her aunt's and uncle's house in rural England. It's across the street from a graveyard and you get your first hint there may be some supernatural.

Carol is a gangly klutz, skinny, with red hair as well, so the village boys immediately make fun of her. Her uncle and aunt treat her kindly, but her cousin is rather rude. He's her age, 14, and has issues.

Before long, she goes into the cellar to fetch something and sees a ghostly man in Puritan dress walk through a wall.

The story proceeds with hints and clues from various sources as the young people investigate the ghost.

I realize now this is a well-written novel. What I disliked was the unreasonableness of the teenagers. What changed? Since I read this book thirty years ago, I've had teens and I've seen them grow up.

Why didn't I identify with the teen angst? I never do, and I never did. It always seemed so unreasonable when I was a teen--except for my own.

[Peekablue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia A. McKillip is my favorite author. I have almost all of her books and this one has been hard to find, since it is out of print. I finally managed to find a very nice copy on ebay (thought I was getting a paperback and it turned out to be a hardcover...bonus!).

Anyway....This was a nice, quick read. I finished it in one day. It is an interesting mystery for children, probably anywhere from 8-12 years old. Although, 8 year olds probably shouldn't read it around bedtime. It is about ghosts but they aren't super spooky and they're mostly just talked about. They only make a few brief appearances. It's mostly about the children, Carol and Bruce, and their little adventures getting to know each other and trying to figure out why the ghosts are there.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought myself one of Patricia McKillip’s earliest works, a middle grade ghost story to see what it was like! It was interesting to see her signature charm come through but in a “modern” setting with young kids. There is still the deep mystery there, but overlaid atop prickly kids who have to deal with each other and the adults in their lives. I actually Ike’s how this book treated the problem of adults in a kid’s story. It was neat to see the parental disbelief reckoned with in the face of supporting their child/the other kids. All in all this was neat to read! (I think the title could’ve been better, though, it does not really convey the plot.)

[Sula · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A fairly typical time-slip/ghost children's story, that is very different from Patricia A. McKillip's usual books. While perhaps only just counts as a time-slip, the ghosts are a way to explore and connect with the past, and not ghosts in a creepy way. The characters of the adults bring a bit of humour into the book, but the children were less convincing. I did really like the little twist of the black cat that seems to belong to no one turning out to be a ghost at the end!.

[Scott O · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful story. well written, very touching. much of it reminded me of the style of harry potter. kids who start out trying to figure out who they and their true friends are. they get involved in a mystery. and everything is heartwarming and interesting and at times quite funny. i cant wait to read more books by mckillip.

[Naomi McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sort of book you read on a rainy day that leaves a little ache inside your chest.

After staying with her relative in an old house, a girl discovers that there are ghosts from a time long-ago, in the basement. Only, she can't figure out why they keep appearing and works to unravel a long-ago tragedy.

[Oana-Maria Uliu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not particularly enjoyable for a grown-up, but good for middle-school children. They should find it both entertaining and instructive.

[Darren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable tween ghost story

[Particle_Person · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reminded me of Maggie Prince's "The House on Hound Hill" and Penelope Lively's "The Ghost of Thomas Kempe" because of the similarity in plot and atmosphere, and also the historical period of the respective ghosts. One of the things that stood out for me was how independent the children are in this book. It is hard to imagine a modern preteen casually assuming nobody would pick her up at the airport, catching several buses, and making her way to the right house! I think that was meant to show that Carol was unusually independent even for the 70s, but today it would trigger an Amber Alert (or the English equivalent), I suspect.

Carol has come to visit her aunt and uncle in England, and slowly becomes friends with their son Bruce, as she discovers that their 17th century house is haunted. Carol and Bruce unravel the mystery by deduction, luck, and hauling a lot of masonry in the basement.

The prickly relationship between Bruce and has dad is handled well. When Carol and Bruce are talking with the priest about their ghosts, and Bruce is reluctant to tell his skeptic historian father about them, the priest says, rather directly, "Your father has a clear, sensible mind and a generous personality. I think you could hurt him very deeply if you wanted to." Bruce says, "What makes you think I want that?" and the priest replies, "Because you do hurt him."

[Jean Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable children's book. Carol comes to England to visit her aunt, uncle and cousin from the USA. Without thinking she finds her way to Parchment street via the train and public transportation, only to be accosted by a group of rude boys who are teasing her out on the street for being big and awkward and red-headed and freckled. Her cousin Bruce continues to give her grief when she arrives, admitting that under other circumstances he'd have been part of the mob. She then discovers that her aunt and uncle are off at Heathrow airport worrying because they haven't found her. But that's not the meat of the story.

It turns out that Carol can see ghosts in the basement of the old house. And who would have guessed, but Bruce has seen them too. The adults are incapable of seeing the ghosts and express their disbelief. The children seek to figure out what the ghosts are enacting, and also to find proof to give to the adults that what they've seen is real. Carol and Bruce become allies, and eventually ally with Andrew, who was originally a member of the unpleasant group of boys.

All three youngsters learn an appreciation for the masks we put on to keep others from truly seeing us, and for the value of taking those masks off and being who we truly are.

The adults get quite a lesson in listening to the younger folks and taking what they say seriously.

[Yune · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recommended for people who are perhaps searching for something like Elizabeth Marie Pope's The Sherwood Ring: it's a children's story nominally about ghosts, but with historical context rather than in the told-to-shivers-by-campfire genre. It's actually about the children themselves, charmingly full of faults and differences, with all the wry appeal that McKillip invests in characters even in her later works for older readers. I closed this book quite taken with the girl of disastrous clumsiness and forthright spirit; the (non-motorized) biker gang boy of reckless stunts who spends his free time doing something else entirely; the scholarly-inclined uncle; even the priest and the ill-tempered landlady. It's refreshing to have a children's tale with so much personality, thin though the plot may be.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book rather surprised me; it just wasn't what I expected. It's a very well written historical story about an old English house, and three teens who discover ghosts in the cellar. They aren't scary ghosts. This isn't really a ghost story but more a piece of history about real people who lived in a bloody period of England's history.

Carol is an American girl who goes to stay with her aunt uncle and cousin in England for a couple months. Her cousin Bruce is standoffish. When she first sees the ghost in the cellar Carol tells her uncle but he only deals with reality and refuses to believe. But the ghost bonds Carol, Bruce, and his friend Alexander and they work out what happened and how to lay the ghosts to rest. W sequel would be nice but I think this is a single title book.

[Debbie Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a faded, tired looking book I found on the shelves of my library. I thought if it was as awful as some of the dreck I've been reading, I'd pitch in the trash, but it was actually a charming story about an American girl who goes to stay with some British relatives. Her cousin is not too friendly, but he's feeling misunderstood for several reasons, the biggest one being that there are ghosts in his basement and no one believes him. It was a good story with some very witty dialogue. It has some dated references (the kids in town harass the girl cousin because she turns up in jeans and barefooted instead of in a dress) but overall the story was great!

[Zan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming ghost story for younger readers, with a dash of English history. The characters and their relationships are satisfyingly real-feeling, and the story resolves well without it being too easy.

As a fan of Patricia McKillip, I found the style surprising. It's one of her first published works, and it's much more direct and plain-spoken than her later work. She hadn't yet developed her particular voice, or the remarkable poetry of language in her later writings. But it's a worthwhile read, and I'll be saving it for my children when they're older.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two cousins meet for the first time when the American girl comes to visit her British aunt and uncle. The kids both see ghosts in the basement.

The development of the kids taps into the universal feelings of not belonging and doing anything to fit in with your peers. Bruce rides around with other kids on bikes causing problems for the town residents. But he really just wants to draw.

The two cousins bond over the mysterious ghosts. Part a coming of age story, part a mystery.

A very early McKillip, it is not like her later works.

[Denise · Rating 2 out of 5]

This juvenile lit ghost story has neither well-developed characters nor a particularly compelling plot. A few of the main characters do show some growth, but it's sudden and unconvincing, and I don't feel invested enough to care anyway. There are a few enjoyable scenes, and a few unexpected twists, but mostly it misses the mark. It's okay to pass some time one rainy day when there's nothing else to read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story as a kid, it made me want to find a hidden area in my basement.


I am updating this on 3/24/13-

If you or your child liked this book I highly recommend the book Amber House by Kelly Moore. It is the first in a trilogy and so far it is great. it reminded me of this book, a bit more adult like- though still firmly YA. If you want to know more on that book, please read my review of it here.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember just loving this book as an adolescent; I actually read it several times. I identified with Carol, found the ghosts in the basement both spooky and engrossing, and was totally caught up with the way the kids took charge and used all their resources to solve the mystery (around the hapless adults). I also loved that the MC, who started out a loner, turned her bullies into her friends and was so persistent and intelligent.

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't go about reading ghost stories, but this one isn't really written to creep you out. It's a tale of a girl in England, who goes to live with relations in an old house.. and discovers , ghosts, dressed in old clothes-one, a girl, and the other one, a young man in preacher's clothes. And several soldiers. What she helps her cousin uncover is a story that was interesting, yet left me feeling slightly sad. However, don't let me stop you from reading it, because it is good!

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4 Stars)

This book is light and fun, but with a deep sense of mystery and weightiness. The characters are eminently relatable, and interact in interesting and understandable ways. Motives become clear, relationships develop, and the mystery is satisfactorily resolved.

I went through this in a single sitting and am happy to have done so. I look forward to reading much more of this author's work.

[Camille Alexa]

This book might be interesting to some audiences as old as nine or ten, but I think you'd do better slipping young reader friends some Forgotten Beasts of Eld or something from McKillip's excellent Riddle-Master series instead.

full review at: www.greenmanreview.com/book/book_mcki...

[Maureen E · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay–I liked the realistic description of interactions between happen-to-be-related children, but I’m not keen on ghost stories in general. They just…don’t do much for me. Bar The Graveyard Book, but that’s different. [Nov. 2008]