Thornhill

Thornhill Institute for Children was an orphanage that closed in 1982, leaving behind an abandoned building and its secrets. Through diary entries from 1982 and present-day illustrations, the story follows two girls across different time periods - Mary Baines, an orphan at Thornhill, and Ella Clarke, who has just moved into a house overlooking the derelict grounds. Mary's diary reveals her experiences as a selective mute at Thornhill, where she faces isolation and torment from other residents. Meanwhile in the present day, Ella spends time alone while her father works long hours, becoming increasingly fascinated by glimpses of a figure in the old orphanage's grounds. The parallel narratives merge through themes of loneliness, bullying, and the lasting impact of childhood trauma. This hybrid novel combines prose and wordless black-and-white illustrations to create a gothic story about finding connection in unexpected places.

Readers call this ghost story haunting and atmospheric, with particular praise for the dual narrative structure and detailed black-and-white illustrations. The art style receives frequent mentions as perfect for the gothic tone. Readers appreciate: - The format mixing prose and wordless illustrated sections - Building sense of dread and mystery - Portrayal of bullying's impact - Quick, engaging pace Common criticisms: - Some find the ending too abrupt or unsatisfying - A few readers wanted more character development - Middle-grade readers may find parts too dark/scary Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (115 ratings) Book Depository: 4.2/5 Several reviewers compare the style to Brian Selznick's books. One reader notes: "The illustrations tell as much of the story as the text." Another writes: "Like a gothic Creepy House meets Miss Peregrine." Multiple reviews mention finishing it in one sitting due to the compelling format.

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🌙 Pam Smy worked on Thornhill for over five years, creating more than 100 detailed pen and ink illustrations to accompany the text. 📚 The book uses two parallel storylines - one told entirely through illustrations (set in 2017) and one through diary entries (set in 1982). 🏰 Thornhill Institute, the story's central location, was inspired by Victorian orphanages and Gothic architecture common in British institutional buildings. ✍️ Before becoming an author-illustrator, Pam Smy taught illustration at Cambridge School of Art for 12 years. 🖤 The story combines elements of classic Gothic literature with modern ghost stories, drawing inspiration from works like The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre.