The House at the End of the Road
by Kari Rust (Author)
One summer, while exploring the town during their annual stay at Grandma's house, two siblings and their cousin come across a creepy old house. The kids poke around, one of them causing mischief and tossing rocks at the window, until they glimpse a ghost through the glass! Later, Grandma reveals the house doesn't belong to a ghost--just old Mr. Peterson.
After visiting again with better intentions, the kids discover Mr. Peterson's great sense of humor and that his house is full of fascinating things: old toys, photographs, even a film projector. They become regular visitors, until one day, Mr. Peterson is gone: he has left for a retirement home, and his house sits empty. Using odds, ends, and gifts he gave them, the kids create mementos of Mr. Peterson's home to give back to him.
Full of heart, this picture book incorporates graphic novel elements to tell a layered and moving story about an intergenerational friendship. It shows how appearances can be deceiving: sometimes the best adventure awaits where you least expect it.
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Publishers Weekly
When Patrick and his sister, the narrator, arrive for a summer stay with their grandmother, their rambunctious cousin Robert shows them a spooky old Victorian house and shies a rock at an upper window. ("I don't think Robert really wanted to break the glass," the girl says loyally.) An elderly man's face appears at the window, frightening the children. But he's no ghost, and their grandmother knows him: "Mr. Peterson had been Grandma's favorite teacher when she was a girl." With Grandma's introduction to smooth the way, a visit to the house ("It was full of fascinating things. Each one had a story") leads to a friendship with Mr. Peterson. Angular, shadowy illustrations by Rust (Tricky) dwell on treasures such as wind-up toys, a home movie projector, and a basement full of preserved food in jars. And when Mr. Peterson takes ill and is moved to a retirement home, it is Robert who sees to the work of documenting Mr. Peterson's home. Rust weaves themes of open-mindedness, intergenerational community, and generosity through the story as the children use the distinctive gifts Mr. Peterson has given each of them to make him something special in return. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2019 Publisher’s Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
JUV013030 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Multigenerational
JUV039090 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | New Experience
JUV013070 - Juvenile Fiction | Family | Siblings
JUV069000 - Juvenile Fiction | Ghost Stories
