Diana Wynne Jones

Diana Wynne Jones at her finest - family feuds and chaos, magic with hilarious results and some of the most original ideas ever to appear between the covers of a book.

The Ogre Downstairs

Sarah Sammis

The Ogre Downstairs didn't captivate me like the Chrestimanci books did. The middle section with the living inanimates (especially the toffy) drags on and on. I really had to force myself through the taffy chapters. While I'm glad to see the Ogre revealed as a good egg the ending seems tacked on.

Jacalyn Boggs

I read this book so many times as a child that the library probably thought I purchased it from them. I have since gotten that same library book at a sale they had. Talk about a score! I've shared this book with my children. I plan to share it with my future grandchildren!

Words cannot begin to describe the fun of step-siblings with dueling chemistry sets that contain some items not normally found on the periodic table. From things being brought to life to flying to the disco, this book looks at just what mischief children can get into while studying chemistry on their own.

My oldest son can't seem to mimic the outcomes with his own chemistry set, but he is determined. Perhaps one day...

The Ogre Downstairs

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