The House at the End of the Road

When Patrick and his sister, the narrator, arrive for a summer stay with their grandmother, their rambunctious cousin Robert shows them a spooky old Victorian house and shies a rock at an upper window. (“I don’t think Robert really wanted to break the glass,” the girl says loyally.) An elderly man’s face appears at the window, frightening the children. But he’s no ghost, and their grandmother knows him: “Mr. Peterson had been Grandma’s favorite teacher when she was a girl.” With Grandma’s introduction to smooth the way, a visit to the house (“It was full of fascinating things. Each one had a story”) leads to a friendship with Mr. Peterson. Angular, shadowy illustrations by Rust (Tricky) dwell on treasures such as wind-up toys, a home movie projector, and a basement full of preserved food in jars. And when Mr. Peterson takes ill and is moved to a retirement home, it is Robert who sees to the work of documenting Mr. Peterson’s home. Rust weaves themes of open-mindedness, intergenerational community, and generosity through the story as the children use the distinctive gifts Mr. Peterson has given each of them to make him something special in return. Ages 4–8. [em](Sept.) [/em]