The House on Hound Hill

A teenage girl moves into an old house with her mother after her parents' divorce. While exploring the property, she discovers she can slip between present day and the year 1666, when the Great Plague ravaged England. She meets and forms a connection with a boy from the past who lives in the same house during the plague years. As she continues crossing between time periods, she becomes increasingly caught between her two worlds and must make choices about where she belongs. Through this time-travel narrative, the story examines grief, isolation, and the ways humans cope with devastating loss. The parallel between historical and personal tragedy creates a meditation on how people face life-changing events across different eras.

Readers describe this book as a ghost story that blends time travel with historical elements about the Great Plague of London. Most reviews focus on its effectiveness for teaching history to middle-grade students. Liked: - Educational value about 1665 London plague history - Balance between historical facts and supernatural elements - Memorable descriptions of plague-era London - Well-researched period details Disliked: - Some found the ending rushed - Several readers note confusing time travel mechanics - A few call the plague descriptions too intense for younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (172 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.1/5 (12 ratings) One teacher writes: "My students were fascinated by the historical aspects and it led to great discussions about disease prevention." A parent notes: "Too scary for my 10-year-old but perfect for my 13-year-old who loves history."

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🏰 The House on Hound Hill blends modern-day England with the historical period of the Great Plague of 1665, offering readers a unique time-slip perspective of both eras. ⏳ Author Maggie Prince extensively researched 17th-century plague doctors and their distinctive bird-like masks, which were filled with aromatic herbs believed to ward off disease. 🎭 The main character's experience parallels real accounts of plague survivors from 1665, when London lost approximately 100,000 people - nearly a quarter of its population. 🏚️ The book's setting was inspired by actual "plague houses" that still stand in England today, marked by faded crosses that once warned others to stay away. 📚 The novel won the Lancashire Children's Book of the Year Award, chosen by young readers themselves rather than adult judges.