The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls

Victoria Wright strives for perfection in everything she does at school and at home in the town of Belleville. When her best friend Lawrence disappears, Victoria notices other children vanishing as well, yet the adults seem unconcerned and unable to remember the missing kids. Victoria begins investigating the mysterious Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, breaking rules and taking risks she never would have considered before. Her search leads her to face Mrs. Cavendish, who runs the home, and to discover dark secrets about what happens to children who go there. The story combines elements of horror, mystery and dark fantasy in a Victorian-style setting. The narrative maintains suspense while exploring themes of conformity versus individuality, and the price of perfection. The book raises questions about the true meaning of friendship and what it means to accept people's differences rather than trying to "fix" them. Through Victoria's journey, readers witness how rigid perfectionism can blind people to what matters most.

Readers describe this as a dark, creepy middle-grade horror story that doesn't shy away from disturbing elements. Liked: - Gothic atmosphere and Victorian-inspired setting - Complex protagonist who starts unlikeable but shows growth - Detailed, unsettling descriptions that create genuine scares - Messages about conformity and being true to oneself - High-quality illustrations that enhance the spooky mood Disliked: - Too frightening for sensitive young readers or those under 10 - Main character Victoria's initial personality can be off-putting - Some found the pacing slow in the first third - A few readers wanted more backstory about Mrs. Cavendish Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (8,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (240+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 stars, age 10+ Notable reader comment: "Like Coraline meets Stepford Wives for the middle-grade set. The atmosphere is pitch-perfect but parents should know their child's tolerance for scary content."

Coraline by Neil Gaiman A girl discovers a mirror version of her home through a hidden door, where she encounters sinister beings who want to keep her trapped forever.

The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier Two orphaned siblings work at a creepy manor house and uncover the dark secret behind a mysterious tree that grants wishes at a terrible price.

The Thickety: A Path Begins by J.A. White In a village that forbids magic, a girl finds a grimoire in a forbidden forest and must face evil forces while protecting her younger brother.

Small Spaces by Katherine Arden An 11-year-old confronts supernatural entities on a haunted farm during a school field trip gone wrong.

The Nest by Kenneth Oppel A boy makes a deal with mysterious wasps who promise to help his sick baby brother, but their assistance comes with dark consequences.

🏛️ The Cavendish Home's Gothic setting was inspired by the architecture and atmosphere of downtown Columbia, South Carolina, where author Claire Legrand grew up. 🎵 The character of Gregory, a gifted musician, reflects Legrand's own background as a former band director and librarian before becoming a writer. 🦋 The book's creepy insect motifs and themes were influenced by Legrand's childhood fear of bugs, particularly cockroaches. 🏆 The novel won the Lucy B. Devine Award and was named a Cybils Award finalist in the Middle Grade Speculative Fiction category. 📚 Though the story seems Victorian in style, it's actually set in a modern-day town called Belleville, creating an intentionally timeless atmosphere that blends past and present.