The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton
A Review By: SS
One hundred years ago, Dies Drear and two runaway slaves hiding in his house, an important station on the Underground Railroad, were murdered. Legend has it that the ghost of Mr. Drear still haunts the lonely old house. But Thomas Small’s father, a Civil War history professor, doesn’t believe the legends and buys the house. The house is fascinating, thinks Thomas, and it is filled with hidden doorways and secret passages that he can’t wait to explore. But funny things keep happening—frightening things that no one, not even Thomas’ father, can explain. Is someone playing a prank? Or is the ghost of Dies Drear trying to warn the Smalls of danger?
From Virginia Hamilton, the author of the Newbery Medal and National Book Award winning M.C. Higgins, the Great, comes a spellbinding mystery filled with edge-of-the-seat suspense. The House of Dies Drear wraps an important history lesson into a brilliantly imaginative story for all ages.
Review Notes:
Audio Book Publication Year: 2011
An installment in a Series? No
Narrator (s): Lynne Thigpen
This is a tale with mystery and history woven together, making it an interesting read for children of all ages. After their patriarch takes a job in Ohio, the Small family relocates from the South and moves into a house formerly owned by abolitionist Dies Drear. This house once functioned as a station on the Underground Railroad, which made it more intriguing to young, inquisitive Thomas Small. After learning about the home’s history, Thomas becomes interested in discovering the mysteries that lie within the walls, halls, and tunnels of this house that once belonged to Mr. Dies Drear. Is the house really haunted by the escaped slaves that once dwelled in the home and Dies Drear, himself? Thomas faces several obstacles and mishaps as he goes about his mission to find out, because not everyone is pleased to have the Small family move into this historic home.
I particularly liked Thomas’s relationship with his father. Mr. Small always spoke to Thomas in a way that validated his concerns. A group of my fifth grade students read this novel with me and they enjoyed the suspense that was woven throughout the story. The little nuggets of history had several of them using Google to learn more about the Underground Railroad.
Lynne Thigpen’s voice and Virginia Hamilton’s writing are a perfect pairing. Thigpen’s dramatic flair draws you into the story. It was also nice that she was able to showcase her lovely singing voice with this story.
Reading Recommendation? Yes!
Rating: 4 (It’s lit!)
Content Warnings? None
