To Grandmother's House We Go [Paperback]

Roberts (Author)

Book Description

To avoid being sent to a foster home while their mother is hospitalized, Kevin, Rosie, and Nate run away to their grandmother's--a risky move, since they've never met her. Grudingly allowed to stay, the three try to unlock the secrets that have torn their family apart for so many years.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-- To avoid being sent to separate foster homes while their mother recuperates from a heart attack, Rosie, 10, and her two brothers run away to the grandmother they have never met because of a long-term family rift. They find their grandmother, but she is distinctly unwelcoming, and her house, rather than being a refuge, is as cold as she. Their Uncle George seems friendlier, but there is a third, unseen resident, an obscure face at an upstairs window, a visitor in the night, that both their grandmother and their uncle pretend to ignore. Rosie and the boys now face the triple dilemma of convincing Grandmother to keep them, of wanting to solve the family mystery, and of dealing with their fear of having to live, even briefly, in a house that appears to be haunted. This seems to be the season for Jane Eyre spin-offs, with this novel leaning even more heavily on the Victorian classic than Hila Feil's Blue Moon (Atheneum, 1990). This may be because the age level at which Roberts is aiming is too young to have read the original. But, without giving away the game, the formula is there and will be recognizable to more experienced readers. This being so, the solution of the mystery is a little too predictable. However, Roberts has a real sense of how children view the sometimes puzzling behavior of adults and the ability to depict their reactions believably. Most of the story is seen through the eyes of Rosie, but older Kevin and younger Nathan have distinct personalities as well. Refreshingly, adult characters are not reduced to the stereotypes too often found in contemporary children's novels. The runaway plan and its resolution are realistically developed. Suspense is well maintained, and is just scary enough, making this a good addition to mystery shelves. --Barbara Hutcheson, Greater Victoria Public Library, B.C., Canada
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689718381
• ISBN-13: 978-0689718380
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,048,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Silly Nathan, February 19, 2003

By 

Courtney (Shawnee, KS USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Grandmother's House We Go (Hardcover)

In To Grandmother's House We Go there are three main characters. They are Nathan, Rosie, and Kevin, Their dad was dead so then when they find out their mom might be dying too, they decide they have to do something. They decide to go find their grandmother's house. When they get there finally they start hearing strange noises. They start a quest to find out who else was living at grandmother's house along with them, Uncle George, and Grandma.
I liked this book a lot. It is especially good for kids, either boys or girls. It is very interesting. I could hardly put the book down the whole time I was reading it. One of the reasons I like this book a lot is that it is very realistic, but also very fiction because most kids wouldn't be able to go to their grandmother's house by themselves. I gave this book 5 stars.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book, August 16, 2009

By 

Rachel A. Rasmussen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: To Grandmother's House We Go (Hardcover)

I absolutely loved this book when I was in grade school and was excited to find it again. It's a little different than I remembered but still a great read. Willo Davis Roberts is an amazing author and I haven't read a book of hers that I didn't like. The product was in great condition and shipped quickily.

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT!, July 15, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: To Grandmother's House We Go (Paperback)

As usual, Willo Davis Roberts has made a suspensful, scary book for all ages. It will keep you up for hours and on the edge of your seat. I recommend each and every one of her books.