Book Review: The House That Wasn't There by Elana Arnold

The House That Wasn’t There
by Elana Arnold (j Arnold)

 

First impressions are not always the best impressions. The House That Wasn’t There uses the story of two middle school neighbors to tell the story of how friendship needs time to grow. At first, the two main characters in The House That Wasn’t There seem very different. But as the story unfolds, coincidences begin to sprout up, almost magically, and they discover that what they share goes deeper than they would ever imagine.

 

Sixth-grade Alder lives with his mom — his father, a folk singer and musician, passed away when he was very young. He is an introvert, likes to knit, has lived in his house most of his life, and only hangs out with one friend, who now seems to have found a new best friend. The exciting school year he anticipated quickly falls apart around him. Oak, also in sixth grade, moves in next door. She lives with both of her parents; a new job brings them from San Francisco. She is outgoing and easily makes lots of friends. Although she dreaded a term at a new school, she happily settles into her new class.

 

It’s not surprising that they don’t start out as friends. When Oak’s family moves in, her mother arranges to have a cherished tree cut down between the two houses, which immediately angers Alder and his mother. The tree was a reminder of Alder’s father; a reminder they can’t get back.

 

But a school project throws the two kids together. And that’s when the twists of fate begin. Alder’s mother surprises him when they go to adopt a kitten, one of a set of siblings. When he returns the next day to purchase the other cat, it has been adopted. Surprise, surprise. Oak’s mother had the same idea and she adopts the other cat. The two cats escape in the middle of a storm and when the two kids search for their lost cats, they stumble into a magical portal — a house between the two houses that wasn’t there. After the unusual experience, strange coincidences keep happening, until the final chapter, where we unearth the biggest revelation of all.

 

I found The House That Wasn’t There an easy-to-read book with a charming story and an unexpected twist at the end. It’s a story that love and family can be found all around us, we just have to be willing to look.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Sea in Winter by Christine Day, or These Unlucky Stars by Gillian McDunn.]

[ publisher’s official The House That Wasn’t There web page ] | [ official Elana Arnold web site ]

 

Recommended by Cindy K.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

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