Name: The House of Dies Drear
ISBN: 9781416914051

Virginia Hamilton

A family tries to unravel the secrets of their new home which was once a stop on the Underground Railroad in this Edgar Award–winning book from Virginia Hamilton. The house held secrets, Thomas knew, even before he first saw it looming gray and massive on its ledge of rock. It had a century-old legend—two fugitive slaves had been killed by bounty hunters after leaving its passageways, and Dies Drear himself, the abolitionist who had made the house into a station on the Underground Railroad, had been murdered there. The ghosts of the three were said to walk its rooms…

The House of Dies Drear

I remember reading this with my fifth grade English class and enjoying it a lot. Obviously I have changed since then. It’s labeled as YA, which I know ranges from 12-18, but it could also easily be a middle grade book. The writing is simplistic and focuses on too many details that don’t really matter (as older books tend to). But the themes are very important for young minds. In a very palpable manner, the story discusses Black history and how crucial it is to preserve it as well as the importance of appearance vs reality.

Was it the most compelling, well written story I’ve ever read? No. Not by a long shot, but I do think it’s engaging and meaningful — especially if read to or by a younger audience.

Nik ✨

I remember reading this with my fifth grade English class and enjoying it a lot. Obviously I have changed since then. It’s labeled as YA, which I know ranges from 12-18, but it could also easily be a middle grade book. The writing is simplistic and focuses on too many details that don’t really matter (as older books tend to). But the themes are very important for young minds. In a very palpable manner, the story discusses Black history and how crucial it is to preserve it as well as the importance of appearance vs reality.

Was it the most compelling, well written story I’ve ever read? No. Not by a long shot, but I do think it’s engaging and meaningful — especially if read to or by a younger audience.