Recommended Age:
10
+
Great for confident read-aloud listeners who will engage with atmospheric, suspenseful, and imaginative storytelling.
About the Book
Ten-year-old Lewis Barnavelt goes to live with his uncle in a creaky old mansion filled with magic, but when Lewis accidentally awakens the ghost of an evil warlock who hid a doomsday clock in the walls, he must help his uncle and their neighbor find it before it's too late. A classic 1970s children's gothic with genuine atmosphere. First in a beloved series.
Content Ratings
💡
Moderate Themes
The main character is a recent orphan adjusting to a new life. He is lonely and makes a dangerous mistake that nearly destroys the world. Themes of grief, loneliness, the danger of magic, and the courage to face consequences are emotionally significant. The book is genuinely spooky.
⚔️
Moderate Violence
A ghost is frightening and threatening. Supernatural danger is present. Violence is magical and scary but not graphic.
