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Behind the Bookcase
A girl stumbles into a fantastic world in this tale perfect for fans of Coraline, Alice in Wonderland, and The Twilight Zone.Spending the summer at her grandmother's house is the last thing Sarah wants to do—especially now that Grandma Winnie has died—but she has no choice. Her parents have to fix the place up before they can sell it, and Sarah and her brother, Billy, have to help. But the tedious work turns into a thrilling mystery when Sarah discovers an unfinished letter her grandmother Strange things are happening behind the bookcase. . . . Sarah's mother dismisses the letter as one of Grandma Winnie's crazy stories, but Sarah does some investigating and makes a remarkable behind the bookcase is a doorway into Scotopia, the land where shadows come from. With a talking cat named Balthazat as her guide, Sarah begins an unforgettable adventure into a world filled with countless dangers. Who can she trust? And can she face her fears, not only in Scotopia, but also back at Grandma Winnie's house, where more secrets and strange goings-on await her?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 9, 2012
40 people are currently reading
1236 people want to read
About the author
Mark Steensland
17 books65 followersMark Steensland self-published his first book while in fourth grade and has been telling stories ever since—some of them true. He became a professional journalist before graduating high school, writing about movies for such magazines as Prevue, Millimeter, and American Cinematographer. His award-winning films (including Peekers and The Ugly File) have played in festivals around the world. His first novel—Behind the Bookcase—was published in 2012 by Random House. A movie based on The Special, a novella co-written with James Newman, was released in 2020. Jakob's Wife, a film starring Barbara Crampton, Larry Fessenden, and Bonnie Aarons, was released in 2021. His most recent novel, The Black Magic Murders, was released in December 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
June 14, 2016
3.5 STARS
I enjoyed this one, it was dark, creepy, and magical. I loved how this was full of illustrations, it made it a lot more fun. However I felt like it was a tad too whimsical for me and started to confuse me at parts and even got a bit boring. I'll talk about it more in my wrap up. If you liked Coraline, Alice in Wonderland, and Spirited Away I'd say give it a read. :)
- Richard
I enjoyed this one, it was dark, creepy, and magical. I loved how this was full of illustrations, it made it a lot more fun. However I felt like it was a tad too whimsical for me and started to confuse me at parts and even got a bit boring. I'll talk about it more in my wrap up. If you liked Coraline, Alice in Wonderland, and Spirited Away I'd say give it a read. :)
- Richard
March 31, 2017
Seriously, publishers really need to stop promoting books by relatively unknown authors by saying they are like very popular and/or classic and beloved books. It’s almost always an unfair comparison that raises expectations to unrealistic levels.
This book is only like “Coraline” or “Alice in Wonderland” in the broadest sense of type – a fantasy story in which a child magically enters a fantasy world.
This does not at all mean it isn’t a good story, it is! It simply means I believe it should be allowed to be enjoyed and appreciated on its own merits, without expectations it will equal books that have reached top-of-the-class status.
Those who have seen my reading lists over the years have probably noticed that there are two kinds of books I am automatically drawn to, and will snatch up when I come across – time travel stories and kids who magically are transported to a fantasy world.
“Behind the Bookcase” is a solid effort of the second type. My childhood self would have grabbed this one, if it’d been around at the time, and would have enjoyed it.
Finding a secret passage to a magical, fantasy world in your house? Absolutely a favorite premise of mine.
“Truth be told: the place looked creepy. Sarah simply couldn’t believe that anyone she knew-let alone someone from her very own family-could have anything to do with such a house. Never in her life had she seen such a disaster.”
‘”Awesome!” Billy said, with a reverence that thoroughly annoyed his sister. “What could be awesome about this?” “Look at it,” he said, “It’s like a haunted house.”’
It’s hard to say much without spoilers, but world we visit with Sarah is a highly imaginative and original one. People there are certainly very strange. Bathazar, Lefty, Jeb, B. B. And imaginative places such as the Forest of Shadows and streams of moonlight rather than water.
And seriously, what are we teaching kids these days? If you suddenly find yourself in a world that is not ours, populated with strange people, please do keep in mind that while you may find friends and allies, you also may run into villains pretending to be friendly.
This story did several things that are relatively unique for the type. One of which is the traveling back and forth from the “real” word several times, and other things I won’t mention because it’d be a bit of a spoiler. But I really did enjoy this aspect. It added to the adventure and the tension of the plot.
If you’re one who provides Middle Grade books to a young reader who enjoys fantasy, particularly those where an ordinary kid travels to a fantasy world, where things are a bit creepy and things can get tense, this is definitely one to put on their reading list. If they’re like I was at that age they can go through them like candy, and are always on the lookout for another to read.
For parents:
The story touches upon a fantasy/fictional place where souls go to sleep after we die. This of course isn’t reflective of any real religious beliefs.
This book is only like “Coraline” or “Alice in Wonderland” in the broadest sense of type – a fantasy story in which a child magically enters a fantasy world.
This does not at all mean it isn’t a good story, it is! It simply means I believe it should be allowed to be enjoyed and appreciated on its own merits, without expectations it will equal books that have reached top-of-the-class status.
Those who have seen my reading lists over the years have probably noticed that there are two kinds of books I am automatically drawn to, and will snatch up when I come across – time travel stories and kids who magically are transported to a fantasy world.
“Behind the Bookcase” is a solid effort of the second type. My childhood self would have grabbed this one, if it’d been around at the time, and would have enjoyed it.
Finding a secret passage to a magical, fantasy world in your house? Absolutely a favorite premise of mine.
“Truth be told: the place looked creepy. Sarah simply couldn’t believe that anyone she knew-let alone someone from her very own family-could have anything to do with such a house. Never in her life had she seen such a disaster.”
‘”Awesome!” Billy said, with a reverence that thoroughly annoyed his sister. “What could be awesome about this?” “Look at it,” he said, “It’s like a haunted house.”’
It’s hard to say much without spoilers, but world we visit with Sarah is a highly imaginative and original one. People there are certainly very strange. Bathazar, Lefty, Jeb, B. B. And imaginative places such as the Forest of Shadows and streams of moonlight rather than water.
And seriously, what are we teaching kids these days? If you suddenly find yourself in a world that is not ours, populated with strange people, please do keep in mind that while you may find friends and allies, you also may run into villains pretending to be friendly.
This story did several things that are relatively unique for the type. One of which is the traveling back and forth from the “real” word several times, and other things I won’t mention because it’d be a bit of a spoiler. But I really did enjoy this aspect. It added to the adventure and the tension of the plot.
If you’re one who provides Middle Grade books to a young reader who enjoys fantasy, particularly those where an ordinary kid travels to a fantasy world, where things are a bit creepy and things can get tense, this is definitely one to put on their reading list. If they’re like I was at that age they can go through them like candy, and are always on the lookout for another to read.
For parents:
The story touches upon a fantasy/fictional place where souls go to sleep after we die. This of course isn’t reflective of any real religious beliefs.
November 16, 2021
This was so creative & imaginative! Loved it! Spending the summer at her grandmother's house is the last thing Sarah wants to do—especially now that Grandma Winnie has died—but she has no choice. Her parents have to fix the place up before they can sell it, & Sarah & her brother, Billy, have to help. But the tedious work turns into a thrilling mystery when Sarah discovers an unfinished letter her grandmother wrote: Strange things are happening behind the bookcase. . . . Sarah's mother dismisses the letter as one of Grandma Winnie's crazy stories, but Sarah does some investigating & makes a remarkable discovery: behind the bookcase is a doorway into Scotopia, the land where shadows come from. With a talking cat named Balthazat as her guide, Sarah begins an unforgettable adventure into a world filled with countless dangers. Secrets doors, other worlds behind bookcases, talking cats, & all sorts of creative beings I could never imagine coming up with(but I’m glad someone did)-this was awesome! This was creepy, spooky, magical, & heartwarming. Such amazing characters. They really grab your heart. Our MC Sarah makes some amazing friends on her journey, & I loved seeing the friendships develop, & how great she was to them & standing up for what’s right. Each character in here is just as unique & different as the next. Loved them all. I think B.B. has my heart though. I loved the whole plot, which was just as imaginative as everything in the story as a whole. Good vs evil, monsters, danger, & an epic adventure in other worlds to save our world-what could be better? lol Great themes of friendship, family & more. How facing your fears can be important, working with your family, not giving up, etc. Absolutely beautiful illustrations sprinkled all throughout too by Kelly Murphy to go along with this beautiful cover! Highly recommend!💜
September 20, 2020
Again I feel like while I would’ve enjoyed this as a kid, it just wasn’t AMAZING. I read so many great books as a child and this one probably would’ve been a bit of a let down even back then. Not enough description even for a middle grade and a rip off of so many other great books.
February 9, 2014
"Behind the Bookcase" was a charming read when considered as a whole. I loved the illustrations and the fact that it was an otherworld type story with a colorful cast of characters and creatures. Sarah's a 12-year old who arrives at her mother's creepy childhood home. Her grandmother passed away not long ago. Sarah's family cleans up the house in order to sell it. The house has many secrets, but notably, Sarah realizes there's another world beyond a bookcase that has a secret opening.
The story feels like an attempted smorgasboard of Alice in Wonderland meets "The Nightmare Before Christmas" meeting something that Neil Gaiman would probably do. Only...the intrigue in this book is much lower than any of the aforementioned influences.
Sarah gets lost in a world called "Scotopia," and meets a cat named Balthazat, a one eyed hand called Lefty, and a boy with only half a face named Jeb among others. I'll admit I was charmed by the overarching story and the encounters that Sarah has, but at the same time, I think the story moved more slowly than I would've liked. I think for the narrative as a whole, it didn't completely immerse me into the realm it built, but I liked the overarching conflict and the imaging of the characters for the most part. I just wish I'd been able to connect with it a little more than I did. The construction of the story was fine, the execution and immersion left a bit to be desired. It felt meandering and not as concise as it could've been. If it had, I think I would've enjoyed it a little more.
Overall, I think it works fine as a middle grade story and there may be some readers who appreciate what this has to offer. I just wish it'd pulled me in a little better into the respective narrative.
Overall score: 2.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
The story feels like an attempted smorgasboard of Alice in Wonderland meets "The Nightmare Before Christmas" meeting something that Neil Gaiman would probably do. Only...the intrigue in this book is much lower than any of the aforementioned influences.
Sarah gets lost in a world called "Scotopia," and meets a cat named Balthazat, a one eyed hand called Lefty, and a boy with only half a face named Jeb among others. I'll admit I was charmed by the overarching story and the encounters that Sarah has, but at the same time, I think the story moved more slowly than I would've liked. I think for the narrative as a whole, it didn't completely immerse me into the realm it built, but I liked the overarching conflict and the imaging of the characters for the most part. I just wish I'd been able to connect with it a little more than I did. The construction of the story was fine, the execution and immersion left a bit to be desired. It felt meandering and not as concise as it could've been. If it had, I think I would've enjoyed it a little more.
Overall, I think it works fine as a middle grade story and there may be some readers who appreciate what this has to offer. I just wish it'd pulled me in a little better into the respective narrative.
Overall score: 2.5/5 stars
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher.
February 21, 2019
3,5/5. An entertaining adventure in a crazy world full of strange characters. Of course, with this kind of book we always think about a kind of Alice in Wonderland type of book, and it's. I like the world a lot, the characters lack a bit off substance to be at a higher level and the story was really captivating for the first half, but in the second one, it kind of go round and around in circle for too long, it felts a bit stretch in my opinion, could have drop some fifty page and it would have been even better. I still like it, probably a bit because of my unconditional love for those story where magic is just one step away from the real world and where you can go in a magical world in just stepping in. I think it's a good part of imagination to maintain and feed for the children. Good enough!
April 17, 2012
To make a Behind the Bookcase cocktail
13 oz vintage Tim Burton
15 oz Alice in Wonderland
7 oz non alcoholic Philip Pullman
9 oz of Coraline
You may add several slices of Del Toro's version of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark to taste if desired.
Shake well in a cocktail shaker that your whole family can handle with ease. Mixture will make thirteen servings. Serve in your wickedest cocktail glass and garnish each with a sprig of Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita for fun. Best served at the stroke of midnight on the coldest night in recent memory. For best effect share with 12 of your closest friends and one of your worst enemies.
Enjoy!
Sarah and her family move east to Pennsylvania for the summer in order to fix up her grandmother's house in order to sell it. Her mom isn't too thrilled about this prospect - there are a lot of painful memories tied up in such a move. While her mom's past is never fully explored, the few stories told about Sarah's grandmother make it questionable as to wither or not the lady was mentally there enough to raise a kid on her own. Matters become more strained when the family is kept up at night by mysterious knockings they can't explain and the unexpected discovery of a locked door in the basement - one Sarah's mom says she once heard led to a land where all the souls of the dead sleep for eternity. But for Sarah the summer proves to be looking up once she discovers the secret doorway behind the bookshelf in her room.
Behind the door lays Scotopia, a land of eternal night, rivers of moonlight, fantastical monsters, and even Balthazat, the King of Cats himself. But things are not what they seem, and soon Sarah and her little brother Billy find that there is much more to the king than they previously thought, and that there is more than one door in their house that leads to a mysterious place ...
I really enjoyed getting my hands on my copy of this ARC. It's a fun, spooky, and wildly imaginative story for younger readers (as well as older kids and adults who have not lost their sense of fun and wonder) who might be bored with the usual thoroughfare for grade schoolers who want something darker to read. While Steensland is very careful to keep things age appropriate, Sarah and her brother, quite literally, go to hell and back, make a deal with the devil, gaze upon the face of god, converse with the dead and play hooky with monsters. And yet all of it is handled in a completely charming manner, that is so easily accessible to kids, and so believable, that it's very hard not to find yourself caught up in their adventures.
My only complaint is that things wrapped up too soon for my liking and I was left with more questions than answers at the end of this since it's obviously setting its self up for a sequel. Oh well, can't have 'em all. When October rolls around I'm going to be first in line to pick up a real copy at the store and know that I'll have just as much fun following Sarah around for a second time while I wait for more.
13 oz vintage Tim Burton
15 oz Alice in Wonderland
7 oz non alcoholic Philip Pullman
9 oz of Coraline
You may add several slices of Del Toro's version of Don't Be Afraid of the Dark to taste if desired.
Shake well in a cocktail shaker that your whole family can handle with ease. Mixture will make thirteen servings. Serve in your wickedest cocktail glass and garnish each with a sprig of Mikhail Bulgakov's The Master and Margarita for fun. Best served at the stroke of midnight on the coldest night in recent memory. For best effect share with 12 of your closest friends and one of your worst enemies.
Enjoy!
Sarah and her family move east to Pennsylvania for the summer in order to fix up her grandmother's house in order to sell it. Her mom isn't too thrilled about this prospect - there are a lot of painful memories tied up in such a move. While her mom's past is never fully explored, the few stories told about Sarah's grandmother make it questionable as to wither or not the lady was mentally there enough to raise a kid on her own. Matters become more strained when the family is kept up at night by mysterious knockings they can't explain and the unexpected discovery of a locked door in the basement - one Sarah's mom says she once heard led to a land where all the souls of the dead sleep for eternity. But for Sarah the summer proves to be looking up once she discovers the secret doorway behind the bookshelf in her room.
Behind the door lays Scotopia, a land of eternal night, rivers of moonlight, fantastical monsters, and even Balthazat, the King of Cats himself. But things are not what they seem, and soon Sarah and her little brother Billy find that there is much more to the king than they previously thought, and that there is more than one door in their house that leads to a mysterious place ...
I really enjoyed getting my hands on my copy of this ARC. It's a fun, spooky, and wildly imaginative story for younger readers (as well as older kids and adults who have not lost their sense of fun and wonder) who might be bored with the usual thoroughfare for grade schoolers who want something darker to read. While Steensland is very careful to keep things age appropriate, Sarah and her brother, quite literally, go to hell and back, make a deal with the devil, gaze upon the face of god, converse with the dead and play hooky with monsters. And yet all of it is handled in a completely charming manner, that is so easily accessible to kids, and so believable, that it's very hard not to find yourself caught up in their adventures.
My only complaint is that things wrapped up too soon for my liking and I was left with more questions than answers at the end of this since it's obviously setting its self up for a sequel. Oh well, can't have 'em all. When October rolls around I'm going to be first in line to pick up a real copy at the store and know that I'll have just as much fun following Sarah around for a second time while I wait for more.
October 4, 2021
Say hello to one of my new favorite spooky books! 👻 I just finished this in one sitting, and I’m seriously over here wondering why I put off reading this for so long. I loved this story so much! Secret doors, creepy creatures, good versus evil. So many good things. Highly recommend!
January 13, 2016
Preliminary thoughts: Not bad, but not the best either. I feel like it could have used some more work. I swear the characters left one location to go to the next every other page, and then they'd go back to the last location & so on. That felt completely unnecessary and made the book draaaaag when it should have been climaxing. And after all that, the book ends completely abruptly. It didn't tie up many loose ends that really could have been resolved in under 30 pages.
February 16, 2013
Is there gonna be a sequel? Cuz the ending SOOOOOOO did not feel finished.
September 26, 2021
This was a fun middle grade novel about a young girl who finds out that her grandmother's old house holds many secrets and entrances to other worlds. These other worlds cause problems when the king of one of the places has an evil plan to upset the balance of the different places. The main character Sarah along with an assortment of characters who have also been wronged set out to make things right again.
August 8, 2021
This fast-paced magical adventure was filled with original characters, imaginative plot-twists, and simple but believable characters. There was basic but creative world-building and beautiful imagery. I loved the author’s concept of the borders of life & death and I was hoping for a sequel to continue the journey. Maybe someday!
March 31, 2022
What an incredible middle grade book.
I will absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for an incredible middle grade read, it was original, eerie and fantastical. The atmosphere in the story is absolutely perfect, from the story to the illustrations.
Imagine having your summer planned out, unfortunately for Sarah, her plans were cut short when she and her family have to spend that summer in her deceased grandmother's spooky Victorian mansion. Unfortunately the manor is rundown and they will have to try and fix it to sell it. As soon as the family arrives strange things occur, weird noises coming in the middle of the night and hidden passages behind bookshelves start to appear.
Sarah is in for the adventure of a lifetime, when she crosses behind the bookshelf into a magical land called Scotopia. Absolutely love the dynamics between Sarah and her family, especially the creatures she encountered there. Experiencing the book with the illustrations was absolutely phenomenal, it will teach the reader about how bravery, love and witts can overcome any obstacle life brings, even if it's in another dimension.
I will absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for an incredible middle grade read, it was original, eerie and fantastical. The atmosphere in the story is absolutely perfect, from the story to the illustrations.
Imagine having your summer planned out, unfortunately for Sarah, her plans were cut short when she and her family have to spend that summer in her deceased grandmother's spooky Victorian mansion. Unfortunately the manor is rundown and they will have to try and fix it to sell it. As soon as the family arrives strange things occur, weird noises coming in the middle of the night and hidden passages behind bookshelves start to appear.
Sarah is in for the adventure of a lifetime, when she crosses behind the bookshelf into a magical land called Scotopia. Absolutely love the dynamics between Sarah and her family, especially the creatures she encountered there. Experiencing the book with the illustrations was absolutely phenomenal, it will teach the reader about how bravery, love and witts can overcome any obstacle life brings, even if it's in another dimension.
November 13, 2022
Imaginative and exciting tale which I think younger children would enjoy. Picked this up on a whim and I'm glad I did.
However, the ending felt a little abrupt to me but other than than I very much enjoyed the book.
However, the ending felt a little abrupt to me but other than than I very much enjoyed the book.
November 17, 2022
good book
Behind the bookcase This book was good I loved it The characters was awesome the story was awesome and everything in it. I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read. The next book by Mark Steensland
Behind the bookcase This book was good I loved it The characters was awesome the story was awesome and everything in it. I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to read. The next book by Mark Steensland
October 27, 2019
A new favorite of mine, Behind the Bookcase follows Sarah's adventures as she discovers just what secrets her eccentric late grandmother left behind when her family comes to ready the house for sale. It's a story of adventure and discovery, of making mistakes and learning to right them, of family and trust.
June 23, 2013
This is a first publication for this author and it shows. Some things limp in a way that I think a more experienced author might not have written, particularly in dialogue. Once you get past the first surprise of who is a bad guy, the rest of the characters is somewhat predictable in who is good and who isn't. I cannot give him a lot of credit for originality because the worlds are so clearly based on heaven and hell with a third world clearly based on Dante's Purgatory. Having the bad guy the traditional color is pretty unoriginal too. Black cats still get enough prejudice even today that they really didn't need to be made the villain in yet another story. Sarah isn't that great a character either. She seems more devastated than seems realistic at being punished by a time out, which got doubled in amount for far too small a reason, and the mother too easily allows her to come out of time out early, undermining her husband's authority. I did like how she disliked her brother and was mad at him in a very normal sibling like way, but without hesitation, did try hard to help him once sometihing happened to him.
One of the few original touches was how the bad guy punished people who disappointed him and the tool that was used at the end to put everything right again. Having the group of readers be everywhere on earth was a good concept that could have been expanded a bit more. As it is, it seems rather unnecessary.
This writer has some potential but he needs to study the craft of writing a lot more and develop more original concepts for the future. The title is probably the best part of the book and the cover illustration is very well done, indeed as are the illustrations throughout the book. I'm going to keep an eye out for more things illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Those were the two things that made me decide to try the book when browsing through our new books. I'm giving this two stars instead of one because it held my attention enough I didn't consider quitting the book.
One of the few original touches was how the bad guy punished people who disappointed him and the tool that was used at the end to put everything right again. Having the group of readers be everywhere on earth was a good concept that could have been expanded a bit more. As it is, it seems rather unnecessary.
This writer has some potential but he needs to study the craft of writing a lot more and develop more original concepts for the future. The title is probably the best part of the book and the cover illustration is very well done, indeed as are the illustrations throughout the book. I'm going to keep an eye out for more things illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Those were the two things that made me decide to try the book when browsing through our new books. I'm giving this two stars instead of one because it held my attention enough I didn't consider quitting the book.
December 10, 2014
My kids LOVED this book. I have two young girls age 6 and 8. I was worried the book would be too scary for my youngest, but they enjoyed it immensely. Every time I would close it up for the night, they would beg for one more chapter. When I refused, they would ask me to at least read them the chapter title so they could guess what had happened next.
It did remind me of Alice in Wonderland, but I liked this better, because there was a purpose to the world. It was not just random weird things for the sake of making things different. There was a story behind, and reason for everything. I could see it turning into a Tim Burton movie.
It was just scary enough to make the kids tingle with anticipation but not so scary that they had bad dreams. My 8 year old was particularly excited by it. She likes a lot of action and has little patience for description, so this was a perfect book for her.
I would definitely recommend this for a reluctant reader, or reluctant listener.
The ending leaves it open for a sequel. I was so surprised that it was not part of a series. I really hope there is more to come.
It did remind me of Alice in Wonderland, but I liked this better, because there was a purpose to the world. It was not just random weird things for the sake of making things different. There was a story behind, and reason for everything. I could see it turning into a Tim Burton movie.
It was just scary enough to make the kids tingle with anticipation but not so scary that they had bad dreams. My 8 year old was particularly excited by it. She likes a lot of action and has little patience for description, so this was a perfect book for her.
I would definitely recommend this for a reluctant reader, or reluctant listener.
The ending leaves it open for a sequel. I was so surprised that it was not part of a series. I really hope there is more to come.
April 20, 2023
Such a fun story!!!
September 5, 2022
I wholeheartedly disagree with the claim of this being for fans of The Twilight Zone. This wasn't that type of story in my opinion, so if you're going to read it based off that, you won't find what you're looking for and best continue the search. I will agree that if you are a fan of Alice in Wonderland and Coraline that you will enjoy this book.
There is potential to be a great book, don't misunderstand, I think for kids that this is a unique, fun, book with a few twists and turns along the way. However, there are a number of plot points that have gaping holes that never were delved into or continued, they just ended abruptly and seemed to have been tossed to the wayside like trash... which is disappointing as my kids (I was reading this to them) and I would have loved to have certain things explained more or better. Like There was quite a bit of thought put into making the worlds and I loved that. One of the things I look for in a book is how well the world is written and built, as well as the characters, but we'll get round to that in a minute. The details of each world behind the doors is amazing, I wish they'd been explored more though. None of us were pleased with how rushed the last 10 pages were and how abrupt the ending was. It's also highly disappointing because with all the things that got left open-ended and/or pushed aside, there isn't another book to answer these.
Now on to characters. I think the side characters, Jeb and B.B., had more thought put into them and their personality building. I felt like you get to know them more in the shorter time they get and I ended up really liking them both, although if I am to be honest, Edgar was my favorite character. I was highly suspicious of Jeb for a lot of the book The relationship between Sarah and her brother, Billy, was for the most part very spot on. There was a bit of termoil between them, which I fully expected. One of the more unrealistic parts (yes, I know it wasn't real) was the ending because they're all "buddy buddy" so to speak. Characters I wanted to see more of were Grandma Winnie, Edgar, Lefty, Balthazat, Dogsbody and the Cloud Queen. I felt that these characters were rather important to the parts they played in the story, but didn’t get put to use much.
There is potential to be a great book, don't misunderstand, I think for kids that this is a unique, fun, book with a few twists and turns along the way. However, there are a number of plot points that have gaping holes that never were delved into or continued, they just ended abruptly and seemed to have been tossed to the wayside like trash... which is disappointing as my kids (I was reading this to them) and I would have loved to have certain things explained more or better. Like There was quite a bit of thought put into making the worlds and I loved that. One of the things I look for in a book is how well the world is written and built, as well as the characters, but we'll get round to that in a minute. The details of each world behind the doors is amazing, I wish they'd been explored more though. None of us were pleased with how rushed the last 10 pages were and how abrupt the ending was. It's also highly disappointing because with all the things that got left open-ended and/or pushed aside, there isn't another book to answer these.
Now on to characters. I think the side characters, Jeb and B.B., had more thought put into them and their personality building. I felt like you get to know them more in the shorter time they get and I ended up really liking them both, although if I am to be honest, Edgar was my favorite character. I was highly suspicious of Jeb for a lot of the book The relationship between Sarah and her brother, Billy, was for the most part very spot on. There was a bit of termoil between them, which I fully expected. One of the more unrealistic parts (yes, I know it wasn't real) was the ending because they're all "buddy buddy" so to speak. Characters I wanted to see more of were Grandma Winnie, Edgar, Lefty, Balthazat, Dogsbody and the Cloud Queen. I felt that these characters were rather important to the parts they played in the story, but didn’t get put to use much.
October 5, 2021
What a super fun and cute, spooky middle grade read book!
Sarah goes with her little brother, mom and dad to spend the summer at her deceased Grandma Winnie's house. They need to get it ready to put on the market. She soon discovers that there's a hidden world behind the bookcase...and things so seriously wrong and she needs to set them right or everyone is in danger!
This was such a wonderful novel and the creativity of the characters and worlds behind the bookcases were absolutely amazing! It was truly a joy to read! I especially loved B.B., the Bat Boy and Balthazat the evil King of the Cats...and Scotopia.
What a fantastic book about imagination, friendship, teamwork and destiny!
I've also decided I need an Undoer! What a truly unique device that is! I really liked the little poem that went along with using the Undoer, "What has been undone I now undo...By counting two one and then one two."
This really wasn't too spooky at all. It simply has some darker characters and such.
I certainly recommend this for anybody who enjoys middle grade fantasy!
Sarah goes with her little brother, mom and dad to spend the summer at her deceased Grandma Winnie's house. They need to get it ready to put on the market. She soon discovers that there's a hidden world behind the bookcase...and things so seriously wrong and she needs to set them right or everyone is in danger!
This was such a wonderful novel and the creativity of the characters and worlds behind the bookcases were absolutely amazing! It was truly a joy to read! I especially loved B.B., the Bat Boy and Balthazat the evil King of the Cats...and Scotopia.
What a fantastic book about imagination, friendship, teamwork and destiny!
I've also decided I need an Undoer! What a truly unique device that is! I really liked the little poem that went along with using the Undoer, "What has been undone I now undo...By counting two one and then one two."
This really wasn't too spooky at all. It simply has some darker characters and such.
I certainly recommend this for anybody who enjoys middle grade fantasy!
November 5, 2022
Alice in Wonderland meets Narnia meets Coraline. A little spooky, not so much creepy. Very imaginative, whimsical good vs. evil story with a strong heroine, fun friends and villains along the way, and secret passages. It was a good time with some cool faith parallels. Ending was good but I wanted more. Where is the sequel? Great illustrations included.
March 14, 2022
This was really creepy and weird and yet boring at times. I liked it but kinda hat to force myself to finish it.
January 5, 2022
Pre-read for a younger sibling; the illustrations were wonderful, especially in the cloud land Ormaz. Loved the idea of the dead coming to houses like this so they can pass on, and all the different lands. Feel like the author kinda quit near the end as they just start travelling long distances which are all omitted to keep the story moving; and then the end leaves you hanging as to what happened back in the shadow land. If everything went back to their places, is it exactly the same as it was before Sarah travelled to Scotopia (also.....why that name.....), or is it reversed entirely and put back as part of Ormaz again?
July 15, 2021
I really enjoyed this book....plenty of good twists. A great read for 4-6 grade.
September 6, 2022
Oh to be the main character in a fantasy children's novel.
February 3, 2025
Re-reading this book because Im trying to get inspiration from books anything like Alice in wonderland. My younger self (maybe 4th or 5th grade?) really loved this book and the eeriness of it. I try not to revisit my childhood books, as they will seem much different to my adult self, but i made an exception for this one.
October 19, 2013
Sarah's Grandma Winnie has died and for the summer, she and her family will be at her Grandma's house sorting things out. It's not the kind of summer she wanted, especially after seeing the house. But nothing can be done and she has to make the most of it.
It seems like a normal, run-down house, but Sarah learns the house has secrets. Behind the bookcase in her room is a door that leads to another world. Sarah can't believe it! There she meets a talking cat and other strange creatures. But soon she faces a lot of danger. What will she do?
Is there going to be a sequel? With how it ended, it seems like there could be one. And if not, there definitely needs to be a sequel!
I found this book by chance while doing a google search for something. The cover caught my eye and I immediately checked my library to see if they had this book. And they did.
The book is a little bit of everything: adventure, fantasy, suspense, paranormal and it all mixes together rather nicely.
As for the characters, I really liked Sarah. She had fears, but was brave enough to face them and did her best to help everyone. Her brother, Billy, was not a bad character, but rather annoying at times. He would do things and Sarah would get in trouble instead of him. The parents were fine, but of course, wouldn't have believed anything that was going on in the house. Balthazat seemed nice, but I had a bad feeling about him from the get-go. Jeb and the other characters who were friends with Sarah were likable.
I really liked the story and the idea that behind a bookcase there is another world. It's neat to think about.
Really good book. I liked it a lot and hope there is a sequel.
It seems like a normal, run-down house, but Sarah learns the house has secrets. Behind the bookcase in her room is a door that leads to another world. Sarah can't believe it! There she meets a talking cat and other strange creatures. But soon she faces a lot of danger. What will she do?
Is there going to be a sequel? With how it ended, it seems like there could be one. And if not, there definitely needs to be a sequel!
I found this book by chance while doing a google search for something. The cover caught my eye and I immediately checked my library to see if they had this book. And they did.
The book is a little bit of everything: adventure, fantasy, suspense, paranormal and it all mixes together rather nicely.
As for the characters, I really liked Sarah. She had fears, but was brave enough to face them and did her best to help everyone. Her brother, Billy, was not a bad character, but rather annoying at times. He would do things and Sarah would get in trouble instead of him. The parents were fine, but of course, wouldn't have believed anything that was going on in the house. Balthazat seemed nice, but I had a bad feeling about him from the get-go. Jeb and the other characters who were friends with Sarah were likable.
I really liked the story and the idea that behind a bookcase there is another world. It's neat to think about.
Really good book. I liked it a lot and hope there is a sequel.
July 31, 2015
Lacks character development. No real tension or magic. Disappointing.
The title and cover art drew me to this story; however, I considered abandoning the book several times. It just did not deliver. The characters were flat. I felt no tension reading it. I had to make myself finish it. I didn't really care what happened. Too predictable. Too much telling. Not enough showing. - "Sarah was terrified."
I didn't like the main character. She felt bossy and lacking in substance. Too easily misled. Kind of slow on the uptake. The story felt too similar to others, but without the quality. Characters kept "stopping short." It's distracting. Sarah and her screaming...Aargh! So many things are not explained well. There is little real tension, never mind rising stakes. After managing to get through the entire work, I was rewarded with an anti-climactic abrupt ending. Hooray.
On a side note, Sarah talks about performing really high dives and presents the issue as though it's merely a matter of confidence; however, there is quite the danger in a really high dive, especially out in the woods. Even in a swimming pool, things can go terribly wrong if the person doesn't know what they're doing.
Behind the Bookcase sounded like it should be a magical experience. It's a shame that it wasn't. - It's the author's first book, though. I would be willing to consider reading a different one.
The title and cover art drew me to this story; however, I considered abandoning the book several times. It just did not deliver. The characters were flat. I felt no tension reading it. I had to make myself finish it. I didn't really care what happened. Too predictable. Too much telling. Not enough showing. - "Sarah was terrified."
I didn't like the main character. She felt bossy and lacking in substance. Too easily misled. Kind of slow on the uptake. The story felt too similar to others, but without the quality. Characters kept "stopping short." It's distracting. Sarah and her screaming...Aargh! So many things are not explained well. There is little real tension, never mind rising stakes. After managing to get through the entire work, I was rewarded with an anti-climactic abrupt ending. Hooray.
On a side note, Sarah talks about performing really high dives and presents the issue as though it's merely a matter of confidence; however, there is quite the danger in a really high dive, especially out in the woods. Even in a swimming pool, things can go terribly wrong if the person doesn't know what they're doing.
Behind the Bookcase sounded like it should be a magical experience. It's a shame that it wasn't. - It's the author's first book, though. I would be willing to consider reading a different one.
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