The Mystery of Drear House - Hardcover

Hamilton, Virginia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0688040268 ISBN 13: 9780688040260

Publisher: Greenwillow Books, 1987

Synopsis

History, legend, and rumor surround the house, once a station on the Underground Railroad and the home of long-dead abolitionist Dies Drear.

Virginia Hamilton continues the Dies Drear chronicles of suspense through a series of dramatic events. We again meet Thomas Small and his family, loyal Mr. Pluto, clever Pesty Darrow, and her aloof brother Macky. And we are introduced to the unforgettable Mrs. Darrow, whose mind twists back on itself like an ancient tunnel of the Underground.

Professor Small, cataloging the priceless antiques of the vast, hidden treasure, must face the question -- to whom does the treasure belong? To Pluto, who guarded it and faithfully kept its secret in memory of Dies Drear? To the foundation that owns the property? The storehouse is in danger not only from thieving Darrow men, but also from the real peril of collapsing walls in the treasure cavern. The time for decision has come. In a brilliant move, Professor Small solves his dilemma. And Thomas and Macky are able to face squarely an old conflict between them.

About this title

About the Author:

Virginia Hamilton's books have won many awards and honors. One of these, the first book ever to win both the John Newbery Medal and the National Book Award, M.C. Higgins, the Great, was also the recipent of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. The Planet of Junior Brown was a Newbery Honor Book in 1971, and four of Virginia Hamilton's other books have been named Notable Children's books by the American Library Association.

Ms. Hamilton is married to Arnold Adoff, who is a distinguished poet and anthologist. They live with their two children in Ohio.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-9 Hamilton returns to characters she created in The House of Dies Drear (Macmillan, 1968)the Small and Darrow families. Young Thomas Small and his family have moved into the home of Dies Drear, an abolitionist whose house was a major stop on the Underground Railroad. In the first book, the family discovered vast underground passages which led to a great treasure cavern beneath their property, containing gold and riches given to escaping slaves to help finance their trips to freedom. In this sequel, they learn more about Drear and his visitors, and they must decide what to do with the treasure, and how best to protect it (and themselves) from the ``sinister'' Darrows, who have searched for the treasure for years. The characters are colorful and delightful, and Hamilton sustains an eerie, suspenseful mood throughout the novel. Although this dank, murky story could stand on its own, the convoluted plot is best understood by those familiar with the first book. Not Hamilton at her very best, but nonetheless a good solid purchase for school and public libraries. Elizabeth M. Reardon, McCallie School, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Greenwillow Books
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0688040268
• ISBN 13: 9780688040260
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 224