About This Book
John Bellairs's classic Gothic mystery introduces Lewis Barnavelt, a newly orphaned boy who moves to a strange house in Michigan to live with his mysterious Uncle Jonathan. Lewis soon discovers his uncle is a warlock, and their next-door neighbor, Florence Zimmermann, is an even more powerful good witch. The house itself holds a sinister secret: a magical clock, hidden by its previous black-magic-practicing owners, that is slowly ticking towards a magical alignment that will destroy the world. Lewis, initially struggling with loneliness and fitting in, unwittingly releases a malevolent spirit, forcing him to find courage and help his magical guardians prevent global catastrophe. This book is perfect for middle graders who enjoy a blend of mystery, fantasy, and a touch of spooky adventure, exploring themes of belonging, bravery, and the fight between good and evil.
John Bellairs, the name in Gothic mysteries for middle graders, wrote terrifying tales full of adventure, attitude and alarm. For years, young readers have crept, crawled, and gone bump in the night with the unlikely heroes of these Gothic novels: Lewis Barnavelt, Johnny Dixon, and Anthony Monday. Now, the ten top-selling titles feature an updated cover look. Loyal fans and enticed newcomers will love the series even more with this haunting new look!
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Lewis change from the beginning of the story to the end? What helps him become braver?
2
What does it mean to be a good friend? How does Lewis's friendship with Tarby evolve?
3
The book talks about good magic and black magic. What do you think is the difference between good and evil magic?
4
What makes Uncle Jonathan and Florence good guardians for Lewis, even though they are a bit unusual?
5
Have you ever felt scared but had to be brave? What did you do?
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