The Book of Elsewhere

The Book of Elsewhere follows eleven-year-old Olive Dunwoody as she moves into an old Victorian mansion with her mathematician parents. When Olive discovers a pair of mysterious spectacles in a drawer, she realizes she can use them to travel into the paintings that hang throughout the house. Three cats who came with the house seem to know more about its secrets than they reveal. Olive must navigate between the real world and the painted one while uncovering the truth about her new home's previous occupants and the magic that lingers within its walls. The story blends elements of classic haunted house tales with portal fantasy as Olive explores both worlds. Her adventures test her resourcefulness and courage while forcing her to determine whom she can trust. This middle-grade novel examines themes of belonging, family bonds, and the sometimes blurry line between appearance and reality. The narrative asks questions about what makes a place truly become home and how we define ourselves in relation to others.

Readers describe this middle-grade novel as a creative blend of mystery and fantasy with a darker, spooky atmosphere that doesn't become too frightening for young readers. Readers highlight: - The detailed world-building of the old Victorian house - The talking cats as memorable characters - The unique magic system involving paintings - Strong vocabulary that respects young readers' intelligence - Illustrations that enhance the story Common criticisms: - Pacing feels slow in the first third - Some find the protagonist Olive initially unlikeable - Plot elements remind some readers of Coraline Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (250+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 (parents), 4/5 (kids) One reader noted: "The perfect balance of creepy and cozy." Another mentioned: "My 10-year-old was completely absorbed but not scared." Several reviewers recommend it for fans of Neil Gaiman's children's books and The House with a Clock in Its Walls.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman A girl discovers a secret door in her house that leads to a parallel world with dark secrets and sinister versions of her parents.

The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs An orphan moves to his uncle's mysterious house and becomes entangled in magic involving enchanted objects and hidden clocks.

The Thief of Always by Clive Barker A boy enters a magical house where every day is perfect until he discovers the price of eternal happiness.

Behind the Bookcase by Mark Steensland A young girl moves into an old house and finds a world of magic behind her bedroom bookcase, filled with strange creatures and dark mysteries.

The Shadows by Jacqueline West A boy discovers he can step into the mysterious paintings in his home and uncovers secrets about his family's connection to a supernatural world.

🏠 Author Jacqueline West was inspired to write the series after moving into an old Victorian house similar to the one in the story. The house's quirks and mysteries helped shape the setting of Olive's home. 🎨 The author originally intended for the magical paintings in the story to be photographs instead, but changed her mind to make the story more visually interesting and timeless. 🐱 The cats in the series - Horatio, Leopold, and Harvey - were partly based on West's own cats, particularly their distinct personalities and mysterious behaviors. 📚 The Book of Elsewhere series took West six years to complete from initial concept to the publication of the first book, "The Shadows." 🖼️ West studied art in college and drew inspiration from surrealist painters like René Magritte, whose works often feature ordinary objects behaving in impossible ways - similar to the magical paintings in the series.