The Mystery of the Cupboard (Hardcover)

by Lynne Reid Banks (Author), Tom Newsom (Illustrator) "UT MUM, I DON'T WANT to move house again!..." (more)
Key Phrases: magic cupboard, jewel case, Jessica Charlotte, Little Bear, Miss Jessie (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
In this latest installment in the award-winning Indian in the Cupboard series, Omri's fascination with the little people of the cupboard has matured into an obsession with discovering the origin of their life-giving magic. With the help of his great-aunt's hidden diary and a meeting with an elderly roof-thatcher, Omri is able to piece together his own family's history--one that gave rise to the wondrous events of the last few years. In the process he takes a big risk in allowing the secret to be disclosed to an adult. Relying much less on the sheer derring-do typical of earlier episodes, Banks takes an introspective turn here, weaving a more adult story of disappointment and heartbreak into Omri's ever-widening understanding of the cupboard's mystery. Banks's series has grown up, and though some readers may miss the magical Peter Pan-like world of earlier installments, these rich, well-rounded characters speak eloquently and entertainingly within a polished mystery structure. While observing the parameters of a series, Banks demonstrates an impressive versatility, never swerving from her trademark disarming candor and unaffected yet elegant style. Illustrations not seen by PW . Ages 10-up.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
Grade 3-6--Indian in the Cupboard (Doubleday, 1985) fans, rejoice! Here's another in the series, and it will appeal most to those familiar with the characters and events in the earlier books. When a distant relative dies, leaving Omri's mother an old farmhouse, the whole family moves to the country. As old thatch is removed in preparation for reroofing, Omri finds a notebook written by "wicked" great-great-Aunt Jessica as she lay dying, which reveals the secret of the cupboard, and how and why it, and its magic, came into being. New little people are introduced, and once again, Omri learns the folly--and danger--of playing with people's lives. Little Bear and Bright Stars, main characters from the previous books, make their appearance only on the last page, when the boy's father is let in on the secret. "From now on, thought Omri, whatever happens--and plenty will--Dad's in on it. Which is bound to make things . . . very, very complicated." One has to wonder if he will allow the adventures to continue. --Li Stark, North Castle Public Library, Armonk, NY
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; Later Printing edition (April 23, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688121381
• ISBN-13: 978-0688121389
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,048,605 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiring Book for Kids of All Ages, April 13, 2006

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Mystery of the Cupboard (Avon Camelot Books) (Paperback)

The Mystery of the Cupboard is one of the many sequels to the fabulous The Indian in the Cupboard. Omri, the main character, has moved into an Indian longhouse. When Thatcher's come to redo the roof, Omri finds a box and a diary. He reads it. It is about Jessica Charlotte, his Great-Great Aunt. She writes about her experiences, and she knew the secret of the cupboard.
Omri learns a very important lesson: Do not steal because you feel sorry for yourself. Jessica Charlotte does this, and the results are not good.
With a key that can unlock lots of locks, a thatcher with a secret, a person of whom The Secret of the Cupboard is revealed to, and two terrible injuries that result in one death, this book is a great read.
It takes about two and a half weeks to read, and is a great book. You always want to turn the page! But, if you haven't read The Indian in the Cupboard, you should do it first, or else this great book by Lynne Reid Banks won't make sense. Also, for more adventures with Omri, buy The Key to the Indian, The Secret of the Indian, The Return of the Indian, and The Indian in the Cupboard.

By Sammy K.
4th Grade

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Sequel to a Fabulous Book by Sammy K, January 14, 2006

A Kid's Review

The Mystery of the Cupboard is one of the many sequels to the fabulous The Indian in the Cupboard. Omri, the main character, has moved into an Indian longhouse. When thatchers come to redo the roof, Omri finds a box and a diary. He reads it. It is about Jessica Charlotte, his Great-Great Aunt. She writes about her experiences, and she knew the secret of the cupboard.
With a key that can unlock lots of locks, a thatcher with a secret, a person of whom The Secret of the Cupboard is revealed to, and two terrible injuries that result in one death, this book is a great read.
It takes about two and a half weeks to read, and is a great book. You always want to turn the page! But, if you haven't read The Indian in the Cupboard, you should do it first, or else this great book by Lynne Reid Banks won't make sense.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MINIATURES AND MYSTERIES HIDDEN UNDER THE THATCHING, April 24, 1998

By	Plume45 "kitka12345" (Westchester, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystery of the Cupboard (Audio Cassette)

Lynn Reid Banks has done it again, in this fourth book in her famous INDIAN series. When Omri insisted his father store the magic cupboard in a bank vault, so he would not be tempted to tamper with the Past, he vowed he would resist the temptation to visit with his tiny friends. But he never did understand exactly how and why this particular cupboard changed plastic toys into living, human beings from the past--with real names, occupations and lifestyles of their own.

Now his family has inherited a cottage in the English countryside from a mysterious and much-maligned great, great aunt of his mother's. Omri discovers her diary which includes a confession of a great crime--one which precipitated multiple disasters for the family. For the old thatching conceals a rusty strong box--what secrets and objects of value are hidden within?

Soon it becomes imperative to revive the new plastic figures, but meddling with the Past can demand a heavy price--if Omri succeeds in preventing one crime, he may also erase his parents' marriage and his very life! (Shades of BACK TO THE FUTURE!) How will old buddy Patrick help or hinder Omri's private quest to clear Jessica Charlotte's name? Will Ormi's parents finally realize that something odd is going on with their son? A fascinating book which will delight THE INDIAN fans and all readers.