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Through the Hidden Door
Two boys stumble upon the remains of an ancient underground civilization.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
12 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Rosemary Wells
455 books381 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).
Rosemary Wells is an American writer and illustrator of children's books. She often uses animal characters to address real human issues. Some of her most well-known characters are Max & Ruby and Timothy from Timothy Goes To School (both were later adapted into Canadian-animated preschool television series, the former’s airing on Nickelodeon (part of the Nick Jr. block) and the latter’s as part of PBS Kids on PBS).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 55 reviews
February 16, 2018
Whoa, downer. I was expecting some dark elements, based on the blurbed backstory of a boy at boarding school in hot water with his teachers and peers, but I was also expecting something fantastical "through the hidden door." Instead we get an implausible minor interlude punctuating the grimness of horrible boys and a horrible teacher bullying a smart kid who made a mistake -- the mistake of being friends with them in the first place.
And don't expect a happy ending, either. This is not a book to inspire bullied kids, unless "life goes on and you may make something adequate of it after the things you cared about and worked for are unfairly destroyed." The worst thing, to me, was that the awful elite boys, the dog-torturers and archaeological-find destroyers, are never punished or improved in any way. They may, as the protagonist says, grow up to be people who mug old ladies and burn down buildings; given their status, they'll more likely grow up to be the people who get slaps on the wrist after killing pedestrians while drunk-driving and embezzle their employees' pensions.
And don't expect a happy ending, either. This is not a book to inspire bullied kids, unless "life goes on and you may make something adequate of it after the things you cared about and worked for are unfairly destroyed." The worst thing, to me, was that the awful elite boys, the dog-torturers and archaeological-find destroyers, are never punished or improved in any way. They may, as the protagonist says, grow up to be people who mug old ladies and burn down buildings; given their status, they'll more likely grow up to be the people who get slaps on the wrist after killing pedestrians while drunk-driving and embezzle their employees' pensions.
September 17, 2014
I read this book when I was in approximately the 5th or 6th grade. It had a profound impact on my development as a child. It left an indelible mark on me and my future interests. For years after reading this I wanted to be an archaeologist. To this day I love exploring caves (although usually accompanied by a guide). To this day, I think often of this book. The only problem was that I had long since forgotten the title, but not the story and not the lessons. It took me years to find it again. You would think that searching for a book about two boys finding a miniature civilization in a cave would be pretty straightforward but my searches usually resulted in books like City of Ember or other stories of underground cities. I finally found the right one a few months ago and am currently re-reading it and will give my grown up opinion once I have finished it. But the 12 year old me gives it 5 stars. It's one of the rare books that strongly influenced my personality at that stage of development and I can honestly say it helped make me the person I am today. It's a story of wonder and discovery, loss and redemption. I can't recommend it enough.
Update 9/17/14
I finished re-reading this quite a while ago and just now realized that I never came back to provide my promised "grown up" thoughts. To keep it brief, my opinion of this book has not changed much in the 20+ years between readings but it's fascinating to see just how much this one book influenced who I came to be all throughout my formative years.
It's a little bit Goonies, a little bit Young Indiana Jones, a little bit Stand By Me and every bit fantastic. Just a really great read with some really great life lessons mixed in. After I finished it I gave it to my parents to read and they both loved it and were able to appreciate the influence it had on me and why.
A word of warning, some people dislike the ending (or find it unsatisfying), some people love it. My mom falls into the first category, my dad and I the second. I think the ending is perfect. It taught me one of life's most important lessons: Nothing in the world is more important than friendship, but to have good friends you have to be a good friend and being a good friend means putting others wishes ahead of your own, even after they're gone.
Update 9/17/14
I finished re-reading this quite a while ago and just now realized that I never came back to provide my promised "grown up" thoughts. To keep it brief, my opinion of this book has not changed much in the 20+ years between readings but it's fascinating to see just how much this one book influenced who I came to be all throughout my formative years.
It's a little bit Goonies, a little bit Young Indiana Jones, a little bit Stand By Me and every bit fantastic. Just a really great read with some really great life lessons mixed in. After I finished it I gave it to my parents to read and they both loved it and were able to appreciate the influence it had on me and why.
A word of warning, some people dislike the ending (or find it unsatisfying), some people love it. My mom falls into the first category, my dad and I the second. I think the ending is perfect. It taught me one of life's most important lessons: Nothing in the world is more important than friendship, but to have good friends you have to be a good friend and being a good friend means putting others wishes ahead of your own, even after they're gone.
October 1, 2020
“Through The Hidden Door”, 1987, entails subjects I love: caves and archaeology. It dropped the ball so awfully in major ways; it is only to praise uniqueness that I finally decided to grant four stars. I agree with a friend who decried the destruction of a heretofore uncovered cultural marvel and history-changer. Terrorizing a sweet dog deserves outrage too. I was stunned that the second boarding school headmaster refused to deem attempted murder punishable. She came out all right but I did dock a star for her, as well as to rail against those same freaks destroying a town. Why did they get away with evil behaviour?
Another large criticism is that the title and book cover are ill-chosen, whether or not it was by Rosemary Wells. These suggest we will be entering a paranormal or fantasy story. Instead, it is mainly about bullying, including by a tyrannical new headmaster and measuring up to parents. We seeking mysteries or magic would give that a pass but sometimes, misdirection is how we find new material. I will not give away plot surprises but tell you: they are dynamite! If this authoress had dropped the youth and parental dramatics, this would be a classic adventure for me.
Two outcasts in mutual need of friendship and diversion from a terrible school, make a high magnitude archaeological discovery. We are not talking about the expected dinosaur or Aboriginal. This discovery defies not only history and sociology but also known biology and science. It is memorable and I wish it had received a stellar ending. I think readers will accept this story better with my first paragraph’s warning. I avoid spoilers but was glad not to be sideswiped by a sour outcome. Even in fiction, it soothes the soul when bad apples are made accountable.
Another large criticism is that the title and book cover are ill-chosen, whether or not it was by Rosemary Wells. These suggest we will be entering a paranormal or fantasy story. Instead, it is mainly about bullying, including by a tyrannical new headmaster and measuring up to parents. We seeking mysteries or magic would give that a pass but sometimes, misdirection is how we find new material. I will not give away plot surprises but tell you: they are dynamite! If this authoress had dropped the youth and parental dramatics, this would be a classic adventure for me.
Two outcasts in mutual need of friendship and diversion from a terrible school, make a high magnitude archaeological discovery. We are not talking about the expected dinosaur or Aboriginal. This discovery defies not only history and sociology but also known biology and science. It is memorable and I wish it had received a stellar ending. I think readers will accept this story better with my first paragraph’s warning. I avoid spoilers but was glad not to be sideswiped by a sour outcome. Even in fiction, it soothes the soul when bad apples are made accountable.
Read
May 30, 2013It is always troubling to me that reviewers/readers do not comment on Native/American Indian content in books like THROUGH THE HIDDEN DOOR.
The info provided in this book is SO WRONG. Wampanoags are gone? Really?! How can we let that pass by us, into the hands of children?
Details at my site, American Indians in Children's Literature:
http://goo.gl/boEYy
The info provided in this book is SO WRONG. Wampanoags are gone? Really?! How can we let that pass by us, into the hands of children?
Details at my site, American Indians in Children's Literature:
http://goo.gl/boEYy
April 15, 2025
This is bleak. We start with animal abuse then it doesn't get much better from there. There are some highlights, like a father who does genuinely seem to care for his child (a middle-grade/YA rarity) and some adults who want to do right by the children in their care. Unfortunately the protagonist is particularly stupid, twice seeking out boys who will not hesitate to rip him apart.
However, there is something about this book. It reminds me a bit of Avalanche by Arthur Roth, a particular genre of action-adventure that doesn't make it to the shelves in 2025.
However, there is something about this book. It reminds me a bit of Avalanche by Arthur Roth, a particular genre of action-adventure that doesn't make it to the shelves in 2025.
January 16, 2025
4.5
There’s just something about this book
There’s just something about this book
August 23, 2019
Edgar Allan Poe Award nominee 1988. If you are looking for the experience of page-turner, "can't put down" suspense, it's great. Children reading at an intermediate level would enjoy, especially boys. One of the points made in the book is
"If" poem by Rudyard Kipling, quoted from throughout Wells' book:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
"If" poem by Rudyard Kipling, quoted from throughout Wells' book:
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2017
Through the Hidden Door, originally published in 1987, offers a thought-provoking read about loyalty, hypocrisy and friendship. Barney Penniman is a student at Winchester, an exclusive boarding school, who has fallen in with the bully crowd as a form of self-protection. After an incident of animal cruelty, Barney reveals which boys were involved (his friends) and the bullies are punished. However, a change in school leadership threatens Barney’s continued stay at Winchester and his safety. As a way of avoiding the bullies, he becomes friends with another outcast, Snowy Cobden. This new friend draws him into a mystery involving a hidden cave with what looks like the artifacts of a miniature ancient civilization.
This book has a lot to offer, especially Barney’s loyalty to Snowy, his honesty and integrity at the expense of prestige, and the excitement of the discovery of an ancient civilization. However, this is combined with difficult situations that I think could be troubling for many readers. School bullying (nothing too severe or intense but the constant threat of something happening between the boys is tense), teacher hypocrisy (the new headmaster cares more for reputation and accolades and consequently engages in student bribery and threats), absent parents, swearing, underage drinking, and animal cruelty. None of these situations are praised, and yet they create a suspenseful atmosphere and tone, especially as Barney and Snowy are dealing with them as middle schoolers. However, through his friendship with the past headmaster, Barney develops a strength of character that helps him to rise above, and ultimately survive, the challenges and hardships he faces.
www.goodreadingguide.com
This book has a lot to offer, especially Barney’s loyalty to Snowy, his honesty and integrity at the expense of prestige, and the excitement of the discovery of an ancient civilization. However, this is combined with difficult situations that I think could be troubling for many readers. School bullying (nothing too severe or intense but the constant threat of something happening between the boys is tense), teacher hypocrisy (the new headmaster cares more for reputation and accolades and consequently engages in student bribery and threats), absent parents, swearing, underage drinking, and animal cruelty. None of these situations are praised, and yet they create a suspenseful atmosphere and tone, especially as Barney and Snowy are dealing with them as middle schoolers. However, through his friendship with the past headmaster, Barney develops a strength of character that helps him to rise above, and ultimately survive, the challenges and hardships he faces.
www.goodreadingguide.com
October 9, 2013
At his boarding school, Barney was part of the worst group of jock bullies--even though he was really a nerd (they needed someone to do their homework). When an incident of cruelty allows Barney a chance at redemption while his buddies are expelled, he discovers that money and power can buy pretty much anything--including a reversal of expulsion. With his former pals out for revenge, Barney teams up with oddball Snowy, who subscribes to Soldier of Fortune magazine and claims to have made an amazing discovery in a local cave. As Barney explores with Snowy and tries to keep away from his enemies, he realizes the magnitude of what Snowy has discovered--and what Barney himself will do to protect it.
This is a fantastic read-aloud for middle school, though it's dated now (fortunately there are lots of books being written now that are set in the 1980s, so you can pass it off as a recent historical). It's edge-of-the-seat adventure, with a touch of possible fantasy. I didn't love the ending, but otherwise it's a winner--has been accurately described as 'The Chocolate War' meets 'Indiana Jones.'
This is a fantastic read-aloud for middle school, though it's dated now (fortunately there are lots of books being written now that are set in the 1980s, so you can pass it off as a recent historical). It's edge-of-the-seat adventure, with a touch of possible fantasy. I didn't love the ending, but otherwise it's a winner--has been accurately described as 'The Chocolate War' meets 'Indiana Jones.'
July 6, 2020
This was one of my favorite books as a kid and I loved rediscovering the secret cave as an adult. The mystery at the heart of the story is incredibly compelling and reminds me of The Goonies and Indiana Jones. However, it's also quite dark and somewhat bleak, with a heartbreaking, unsatisfying ending.
It should also be mentioned that the discussion of Indigenous peoples in this book is quite backwards and often incorrect. Tribes are often referenced as "no longer existing" which is not the case at all.
It should also be mentioned that the discussion of Indigenous peoples in this book is quite backwards and often incorrect. Tribes are often referenced as "no longer existing" which is not the case at all.
November 19, 2020
Great book for tweens and young adults that are into prehistor and antiquity, civilizations that have come and gone, archeology, science, odd friendships, and know what it's like to be on the outside.Or adults looking to be reminded of that feeling of wonder that goes with still being a kid in a great big world while, at the same time, growing into and shaping who they want to be.
I first read this book in 6th grade in 1993. It took me forever to find the book based on the almost 28 years–old hazy memories of the plot beyond "two boys find a lost civilization in a cave" but the wait was worth it. This book was everything I remembered it to be and hoped it still was. As a misfit kid who identified as a boy in my mind despite the world thinking day otherwise, reading about two boys, outcasts like me, one of them extra nerdy and lonely (and alone) with an older kid that usually patiently follows his many rules and keeps his secret discovery safe, mostly, this book was in my top 5 favorite books as a tween, or preteen when I was in that age group. Anticipation grows as they work to find answers, but with as little outside help as possible, because this novel perfectly illustrates that yearning some kid on the brink of becoming a young adult might have, that desire for one's own space. No adults. No bullies. Just a place to live out in privacy, tucked away from judgmental adults who never vowed to always remember what it's like not being an adult, a space to act out the odd grey areas that exist between childhood and teenagerland where there's still magic to dream up and discover even though you've suddenly become you, vacillating between childlike wonder and the wisdom growing between your ears. Just a great book.
I first read this book in 6th grade in 1993. It took me forever to find the book based on the almost 28 years–old hazy memories of the plot beyond "two boys find a lost civilization in a cave" but the wait was worth it. This book was everything I remembered it to be and hoped it still was. As a misfit kid who identified as a boy in my mind despite the world thinking day otherwise, reading about two boys, outcasts like me, one of them extra nerdy and lonely (and alone) with an older kid that usually patiently follows his many rules and keeps his secret discovery safe, mostly, this book was in my top 5 favorite books as a tween, or preteen when I was in that age group. Anticipation grows as they work to find answers, but with as little outside help as possible, because this novel perfectly illustrates that yearning some kid on the brink of becoming a young adult might have, that desire for one's own space. No adults. No bullies. Just a place to live out in privacy, tucked away from judgmental adults who never vowed to always remember what it's like not being an adult, a space to act out the odd grey areas that exist between childhood and teenagerland where there's still magic to dream up and discover even though you've suddenly become you, vacillating between childlike wonder and the wisdom growing between your ears. Just a great book.
January 5, 2018
I've always wanted to read this book but I've never had the time and when I finally get to read what the book is about i was totally confused it didn't really settle the with what they were talking about it and my favorite character was snow he was more kept to himself and always one step of all the other kids he was the one who found the cave and he didn't trust anyone to know the path and only he knew what it could be and no one can get out but he only trusted a little bit this other person.so with how the way the book introduced the characters and the whole plot for me was kinda all over the place and then the ending of the book totally sucked it was a good ending and I wanted to know what happened more to the characters and when I read books i want to get sucked in like if i was in the book myself but with this book it didn't really happen for me and it bored me most of the time but i was still giving it a chance so i read it all to see how the whole book went in a good or bad direction. especially how they were unfair to the main character the entire book and everyone got hes way with him, so in my opinion it was an okay book.
December 31, 2022
I read this in 7th grade and loved it. It was a book that truly stuck with me as in I would dream I was in the cave 2-3x a year. Through the years I had forgotten the name of the book and finally googled it.
I tore through this book for the 2nd time and loved it just as much as when I was in junior high. It has withstood the ages and translates into modern day as well. (I guess bullies will always be around)
If you love history and exploring new things give this a read and don’t be turned off by the young adult listing. This is a masterpiece of a book.
I tore through this book for the 2nd time and loved it just as much as when I was in junior high. It has withstood the ages and translates into modern day as well. (I guess bullies will always be around)
If you love history and exploring new things give this a read and don’t be turned off by the young adult listing. This is a masterpiece of a book.
February 2, 2021
Charming book and thrilling too with lessons on ethical behavior.
This is probably a young adult book like the ones I read in my childhood. I loved it for that reason. There are adventures with both success and failure. I grew up in the late 40s and 50s and with no library I read books from the early 20th century borrowed from neighbors and from discontinued school readers. It’s never too late to think like a child.
This is probably a young adult book like the ones I read in my childhood. I loved it for that reason. There are adventures with both success and failure. I grew up in the late 40s and 50s and with no library I read books from the early 20th century borrowed from neighbors and from discontinued school readers. It’s never too late to think like a child.
September 2, 2018
Read decades ago. It was very different. Not a happy ending and a bit brutal in places. I remember it mostly for the very interesting archeology and the idea that fire cannot be sized/scaled---hence the confirmed authenticity of the find. However apparently there is a fairly disturbing dog torture scene at the beginning that I managed to block out, so I won't be re-reading this any time soon.
July 30, 2022
This wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. The cave was the most interesting part of the book and the mysterious civilization. Its a shame you don't really find out more as the book ends in a slightly disappointing way. When I say disappointing, I wanted them to do more cave spelunking.
October 22, 2018
So glad I never went to a boys prep school. Loved the bits about discovering the cave's many secrets.
June 12, 2020
An engaging story of a young man who befriends a lonely boy in his school and they discover a cave full of interesting items.
August 1, 2021
I hate a book without a definite ending. I felt the plot was poor and not too interesting. Two boys find a hidden cave with delicate carvings and a whole tiny city.
August 24, 2022
One good guy, many bad guys, horrible bullies and much language. I was very disappointed, thinking I knew and trusted this author. I would not recommend this.
April 21, 2023
B-. fiction, YA/upper elementary fiction; mystery, from stash, discard
July 25, 2024
A good story for middle reader boys, especially. Adventure.
Want to read
November 23, 2015When I first read that Through The Hidden Door had parts about archaeology, I was not really interested in reading it, but when I read the whole thing, I found out that it was actually very fascinating. I especially enjoyed the parts where they talk about the things that they found. Rosemary Wells writes in a way that makes us feel like we are in the cave that the two boys are in. ”How are we going to find anything in this...this freezing underground desert? Even in a parka and a vest I’m cold.” The way she writes this phrase makes you know how cold it is and what they go through. This book is not just about them discovering something but also about a bullied student finding a true friend and his inner strength.
Through The Hidden Door is a mystery fiction book by Rosemary Wells. It is a book about a boy named Barney Penniman, who was part of a group named The Untouchables at a boarding school, they do things that are harmful to other people and Barney has to unfriend them because they go too far. He never really liked them in the first place but he didn’t have any other friends. Barney is an 8th grader and later becomes friends with a not so popular 6th grader named Snowy Cobb. ”Tough little soldier that he was.” Snowy has been treated so badly, that he doesn’t trust anybody, even if they are friends. Snowy finds a cave that he wants to keep as a secret, between him and Barney.
This book was strong considering that Wells had to talk about two very different things. The cave, the things they found, and the school with the boys and their problems. The characters were credible because it described what they felt. The two boys were so mad about something The Untouchables did to them that Barney thought about, ”The bats ripping the hair off the boys. About them starving there for a week.” Barney had to face several problems. The Untouchables think that he snitched on them, making them threaten Barney. Barney tells one of his bullies that his mother is dead and Danny says, “Well how would you like to pay her a visit?” Snowy had to trust Barney and bring him along to the cave he found. Barney has something very bad happen that was not expected for the audience or even Barney. Overall, Barney was my favorite character because he was strong throughout the whole story and learned to deal with difficult situations.
The author describes things such as feeling, objects, and different ideas in the book by using details that makes the audience look at the story in their heads like a movie. It mentions Barney saying, “I stamped, rubbed my chapped hands, and stuck them under my armpits for warmth.” I can picture them both doing that every few minutes because of the cold weather down there. The theme throughout the story is friendship, not just good friendships but also bad ones.
I would recommend this book because it was very interesting and it left me wanting to know more. Through the Hidden Door was the winner of The Edgar Allan Poe Award. People who would like this book would be people who enjoy reading about friendships and like suspense. It talks about the artifacts that they find too and even includes pictures of what they found. If you like a good mystery, then this book would be the book for you.
Through The Hidden Door is a mystery fiction book by Rosemary Wells. It is a book about a boy named Barney Penniman, who was part of a group named The Untouchables at a boarding school, they do things that are harmful to other people and Barney has to unfriend them because they go too far. He never really liked them in the first place but he didn’t have any other friends. Barney is an 8th grader and later becomes friends with a not so popular 6th grader named Snowy Cobb. ”Tough little soldier that he was.” Snowy has been treated so badly, that he doesn’t trust anybody, even if they are friends. Snowy finds a cave that he wants to keep as a secret, between him and Barney.
This book was strong considering that Wells had to talk about two very different things. The cave, the things they found, and the school with the boys and their problems. The characters were credible because it described what they felt. The two boys were so mad about something The Untouchables did to them that Barney thought about, ”The bats ripping the hair off the boys. About them starving there for a week.” Barney had to face several problems. The Untouchables think that he snitched on them, making them threaten Barney. Barney tells one of his bullies that his mother is dead and Danny says, “Well how would you like to pay her a visit?” Snowy had to trust Barney and bring him along to the cave he found. Barney has something very bad happen that was not expected for the audience or even Barney. Overall, Barney was my favorite character because he was strong throughout the whole story and learned to deal with difficult situations.
The author describes things such as feeling, objects, and different ideas in the book by using details that makes the audience look at the story in their heads like a movie. It mentions Barney saying, “I stamped, rubbed my chapped hands, and stuck them under my armpits for warmth.” I can picture them both doing that every few minutes because of the cold weather down there. The theme throughout the story is friendship, not just good friendships but also bad ones.
I would recommend this book because it was very interesting and it left me wanting to know more. Through the Hidden Door was the winner of The Edgar Allan Poe Award. People who would like this book would be people who enjoy reading about friendships and like suspense. It talks about the artifacts that they find too and even includes pictures of what they found. If you like a good mystery, then this book would be the book for you.
February 25, 2014
I really like this book, but its a bit of an odd bird. I keep forgetting the name and then having to go searching for it on whats the name of that book forums. I think that's because the name doesn't really fit the book. There aren't any hidden doors, but instead a hidden cave. Also, the cover of the edition I has a tagline that reads "You can go in, but you might never come out" making it seem very ominous. This isn't a scary book.
Wells starts off the book with a very sad and uncomfortable to read scene that I somehow blocked out of my mind. At first I was confused about why this book had stuck in my head for 25 years. However, as I read I liked Barney more and more. He was just a kid that wanted to be accepted and did really dumb things to make that happen. Barney grows up a lot during the story.
Even when I read Through the Hidden Door as a child I wondered why there wasn't a sequel to this book. I know that Barney moves on, but Snowy keeps going and I would love to know what happens next.
This is a super quick read. I started it on the train home from work and finished it off before going to bed. But then again this is a book for an older child.
Wells starts off the book with a very sad and uncomfortable to read scene that I somehow blocked out of my mind. At first I was confused about why this book had stuck in my head for 25 years. However, as I read I liked Barney more and more. He was just a kid that wanted to be accepted and did really dumb things to make that happen. Barney grows up a lot during the story.
Even when I read Through the Hidden Door as a child I wondered why there wasn't a sequel to this book. I know that Barney moves on, but Snowy keeps going and I would love to know what happens next.
This is a super quick read. I started it on the train home from work and finished it off before going to bed. But then again this is a book for an older child.
March 31, 2014
This was my Book Forcening choice from Lara. It was a fun read, I didn't know much about it going in so I didn't have any expectations. It turns out it's boarding school (boys), with a lot of what would now be considered bullying behavior, and then the discovery of a secret, mysterious cave.
Especially if I had read this as a kid, I would have LOVED that it includes sketches by the protagonist of the stuff they found in the cave. I always felt that was lacking from a lot of YA mysteries.
This was published in the 80s, and few things jumped out at me, especially the "okay-ness" of the bullying culture, and the jaw-dropping tidbit that the father of the bullied boy sends him back to school with a gun, and this is presented as a responsible way to support your kid through adversity.
Especially if I had read this as a kid, I would have LOVED that it includes sketches by the protagonist of the stuff they found in the cave. I always felt that was lacking from a lot of YA mysteries.
This was published in the 80s, and few things jumped out at me, especially the "okay-ness" of the bullying culture, and the jaw-dropping tidbit that the father of the bullied boy sends him back to school with a gun, and this is presented as a responsible way to support your kid through adversity.
May 17, 2010
Interesting adventure stroy. Barney, the main character finds himself in a very "Chocolate War" type situation when his boarding school headmaster, some teachers and a gang of bullies who used to be his chums try forcing him to switch schools. He joins with another outcast who believes he has found an ancient Pygmy city. And, of course, they excavate it together? However dumb it sounds, it actually is a pretty good read. It is short and is, for the most part, fun.
I would be hesitant to recommend this to audiences under a certain age due to language, underage drinking, violence (including animal cruelty) and, above all, the fact that the protagonist's father, an antiques dealer, gives him a pistol to take to school to protect himself from bullies. I'm not sure what the author was thinking when she made that choice, but, in her defense, this was written before school shootings were the concern that they are today.
I would be hesitant to recommend this to audiences under a certain age due to language, underage drinking, violence (including animal cruelty) and, above all, the fact that the protagonist's father, an antiques dealer, gives him a pistol to take to school to protect himself from bullies. I'm not sure what the author was thinking when she made that choice, but, in her defense, this was written before school shootings were the concern that they are today.
February 22, 2014
Rosemary Wells is a prolific writer of picture books as well as young adult books.
Two boys, unlikely allies since one is in sixth-grade and the other in eighth-grade, living at a boarding school for boys and not making friends easily embark on a great and secret adventure.
The eighth-grader had become part of a group of sadistic jock bullies only because he wanted friends; in return for his being part of the group, he had to help them cheat on exams and to pull pranks that they told him to do. His belonging to this group ends when they try to kill the headmaster's dog by throwing rocks at her; he begs them to stop but does nothing to stop them. Only when the sixth-grader mentioned before runs up to protect the dog from the boys do they stop and run away, mostly because they fear the headmaster's wife will catch them.
This incident eventually brings the two unlikely friends together leading to their grand adventure.
Two boys, unlikely allies since one is in sixth-grade and the other in eighth-grade, living at a boarding school for boys and not making friends easily embark on a great and secret adventure.
The eighth-grader had become part of a group of sadistic jock bullies only because he wanted friends; in return for his being part of the group, he had to help them cheat on exams and to pull pranks that they told him to do. His belonging to this group ends when they try to kill the headmaster's dog by throwing rocks at her; he begs them to stop but does nothing to stop them. Only when the sixth-grader mentioned before runs up to protect the dog from the boys do they stop and run away, mostly because they fear the headmaster's wife will catch them.
This incident eventually brings the two unlikely friends together leading to their grand adventure.
July 12, 2014
Barney should want to get out of Winchester; he has every reason to want to leave. His former friends are out for revenge and the Headmaster definitely isn't on his side. The Headmaster gives Barney two choices, he can leave the school and he will get great recommendations so he can get into any school. Or he can stay and have a bad record.
But Barney stays. He can't leave, not after visiting the cave. He has to find out what or who was there.
I can't say this is one of my favorite books, but it definitely had an interesting story. It kept me reading and I wanted to know more about the cave too.
Barney isn't a perfect character, but he wasn't a bad kid like the Headmaster said. He just wanted to make friends and made some bad decisions. His former friends made me mad though. I don't understand how they could get away with everything they did.
The story was good though. I liked this book.
But Barney stays. He can't leave, not after visiting the cave. He has to find out what or who was there.
I can't say this is one of my favorite books, but it definitely had an interesting story. It kept me reading and I wanted to know more about the cave too.
Barney isn't a perfect character, but he wasn't a bad kid like the Headmaster said. He just wanted to make friends and made some bad decisions. His former friends made me mad though. I don't understand how they could get away with everything they did.
The story was good though. I liked this book.
February 24, 2013
I got this as an ARC through netgalley, not realizing until after I started it that this is actually an old book. It's very obvious, through context, that it's dated. Right away that makes me think that most middle-grade kids won't be interested. Also, the beginning of the book was brutal and very upsetting. The majority of middle-grade readers we get in my store are extremely sensitive when it comes to anything that's sad, unsettling or violent and as I result I don't see how this would go over well. Looking back on reviews, I see that most people read this growing up and really enjoyed it. I didn't particularly enjoy this book, although I will say that my attention was held in that I finished it just to see what would come of Barney and Snowy's excavating. I wasn't really disappointed, I just didn't think this was all too great, nor did it seem to have a broad appeal.
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