The House Next Door

by Ellen Oh

A spooky novel about young hero Rory and the creepy house next door. Filled with scary spirits, mysterious noises, and malevolent forces, the house has tormented many souls, and Rory must do everything he can to prevent the new neighbors from becoming its next victims

Home is where the sinister lives. Rory Parker knows not to step a foot in, on, or around the house next door. He’s seen things creeping in the shadows, has had encounters with spirits, and lost a best friend to the house’s malevolence. But when his new neighbors, Jack and his lovable family, move into the house next door, Rory makes it his duty to protect them at all costs.

But the vicious forces lying within the house are plotting something evil, something that puts Jack’s little sister in extreme danger. Soon, Rory understands he’ll need the help of his new friend and some friendly ghosts in order to stand a chance at defeating whatever lurks within its walls for good. But what exactly lives in the house next door, and will Rory and Jack find out in time to save the day, or can its evil never be evicted?  

Genres: Horror, Middle Grade, Childrens, Asian Literature, Family, Audiobook, Fantasy

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2025

About the author

*Hi friends! I'm not often on Goodreads so if you want to keep up with me, the best place to do so is on instagram! I'm at elloecho!

Ellen Oh is a former adjunct college instructor and lawyer with an insatiable curiosity for ancient Asian history. She loves K-pop, K-dramas, and eating good food that someone else cooks for her. She is fueled by Diet Coke. Ellen is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books (WNDB), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing diversity in children’s literature. Originally from New York City, Ellen lives in Rockville, Maryland, with her husband, three children, two dogs, and has yet to satisfy her quest for a decent bagel.

Reviews

[Desiree · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

While I liked the idea of this story, I did not enjoy the writing in the book.

It feels like we are just dropped into the scenes that are needed to tell the story rather than ushered in with additional details. It made for a very choppy reading experience. The dialogue was a very similar feel, like the characters were saying what needed to be said to give the information needed in the scenes rather than conversations feeling organic.

Honestly, a highly shortened version would make a great spooky ghost story to tell around a campfire, but I didn’t enjoy it as a book.

I did, however, enjoy getting to learn about Korean and Japanese cultures, especially through the delicious foods they ate in the book.

Thank you HarperCollins Children’s Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this middle grade novel!

[Krissi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This story was a little on the younger side of middle grade and honestly, just not very enthralling. I think I would have DNF'd this when I was younger, but it is a quick read. The plot is very choppy and all over the place. It also didn't feel very spooky or creepy in regards to the ghosts. The inclusion of some Japanese and Korean foods was the only part I really found interesting in the book. Ultimately, this just did not work out.

[Susy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
It takes a bit too long to get going but once it does, in't an awesome story with great characters.

Characters 8
Atmosphere 8
Writing Style 7
Premise 7
Plot 7
Pace 7
Length 7
Structure/Setup 7
Enjoyment/Engrossment 7
Narration 7

[Jess - The Hexed Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic little creepy novel! I love spooky middle grade and this didn't disappoint.

Loved the history behind the creepy little creatures that were haunting the kids. There was also a lot of talk/eating of different Asian cuisines that I think really grounded the story.

The friendship between our characters (and their pets) was really great to see between people who barely knew each other. I also liked how much the kids' families were welcoming to the other kids and their families as well.

I had a great time reading this one!

[Patti Sabik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy and gross but not very scary. I’d hand this to my more timid younger middle schoolers who was a good spook with lots of heart and humor. Definitely a fun quick read.

[Chelsea]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy

The House Next Door by Ellen Oh is a third person-POV Middle Grade supernatural horror. The house to Rory’s has had several families move in just to almost immediately move back out when something happens to the children. Years ago, Rory's friend fell down the stairs after monsters tried to take him and now Rory's new friends are also in danger. He, Jack, and Mira will have to put an end to the monsters once and for all or Mira will be dragged into the dark and eaten.

This is definitely on the spookier side. Ellen Oh takes a story a lot of children are familiar with and it's darker, lesser known origins and puts them in a haunted house story. The conventions of a priest/exorcism are switched around a bit via Rory's grandfather visiting from Japan and teaching Rory about the power of rock salt, holy water, and iron. This combination of Japanese Shinto and Buddhist practices with some more familiar Western Christian ones helps make the story feel new but also accessible.

Almost the whole book is technically in Rory’s POV, but I would say the narrative is maybe omniscient as there are a few moments where the story is detailing another character’s POV or pointing out a detail Rory wouldn't be aware of. Given the flashback chapter early on, a reader could assume that the book is Rory telling the story in the future.

While I do think the book is great for kids who like being scared, I do recommend caution if a child already has a fear of the dark as the monsters can only disappear if the really big lights are on. Nightlights and lamps are not bright enough and children are falling down stairs and ending up in the hospital as well as being at risk of being eaten. It's the kind of thing that works so well in Middle Grade because that is a real fear kids have, but I would also not be sleeping for a week if I had read this at ten.

I would recommend this to young readers who enjoy supernatural horror and dark twists on familiar ideas and readers of Middle Grade who like haunted houses

[andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to Harper Collins for the advanced digital copy!

this book is out September 30th, 2025.

--

this wasn't my first ellen oh book so i was surprised by how tame it felt compared to her previous middle grade horror. i've come to expect something darker from her, especially after spirit hunters, so this one didn't land as hard for me in terms of scares. that said, i know i am not the target audience and i still think it's a solid intro to horror for younger readers or anyone easing into the genre.

what really stood out here was the incorporation of korean and japanese culture through the two families. i loved that the book didn't flatten either into generic representation and instead allowed space for specific foods, superstitions, and family structures. the focus on food especially made me hungry while reading. it's warm and inviting in a way that softens the more eerie elements.

the plot itself is fine, but not super memorable. there's a haunted house next door, some ghostly backstory involving a creepy basement, and gooey little creatures that felt more whimsical than scary. they reminded me a bit of soot sprites from spirited away, which maybe wasn't the intent, but once that visual clicked into place, i couldn't unsee it. it gave the story a dreamier, miyazaki-adjacent energy that made things feel more like fantasy than horror.

rory and jack are likable kids and their dynamic works well. i also appreciated that the families played active roles instead of disappearing like so many middle grade parents tend to do. still, the pacing felt a bit off. the creepy stuff ramps up quickly without a ton of build, and that left the emotional stakes feeling a little thin. i wanted more time to sit in the atmosphere before we got to the action.

overall, i think this will work well for younger middle grade readers, especially those who want something spooky but not nightmare-inducing. fans of ellen oh's scarier books might find this one a little light, but it still carries her signature themes of bravery, family, and cultural specificity.

[Jules Inman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took a little bit to get into the main plot and spookiness of the story. The beginning is just a buildup of a new neighbor moving in and Rory being concerned about their safety because of something that happened in the house with his previous friend who lived there. They families meet up and get to know each other and discuss their cultural differences between Korean and Japanese. There was a lot of talk about their different kinds of food which I felt was kind of out of place to the context of the story. Rory ends up spending time at the new neighbor's house and tells Jack that he can see a couple of ghosts there but that they aren't bad, and they are there to protect them against something more evil in the house. Jack doesn't believe him at first but then Jack's little sister says she sees them too and they tell Jack he can't see the ghosts because he doesn't believe in it. The ghosts help them find a way to defeat the little creatures that are hiding in the house. The dialogue isn't the best and there is not a lot of character development. I felt like the reveal of the creatures and the plot to get rid of them was kind of weak. Not really as spooky as I would have liked.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. #TheHouseNextDoor #NetGalley

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany)]

Thank you Net Galley for the ARC!

[JT Milam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Korean and Japanese cultural elements in this — I’m always here for stories that let me learn more about different cultures.
What I didn’t love? The messiness. The dialogue often felt like the characters were performing for the reader instead of actually talking to each other — like they were in a play and needed the audience to catch up. It pulled me out of the story more than once. The core idea was solid and had real potential, but it just didn’t fully come together for me.

[Tiffannie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The House Next Door by Ellen Oh – ★★½ It’s got a spooky setup and some decent chills, but it moves fast and doesn’t dig deep. Characters feel kind of flat, and the ending’s a bit rushed. If you just want a quick ghost story with creepy vibes, it works — but don’t expect to be haunted afterward.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Rory Parker lives next door to a house that has been vacant for several years, a rarity in a desirable Bethesda, Maryland neighborhood. It's known as the Cleverly House, after the owner, Hazel, who died several years ago at the age of 79. Years ago, her younger brother, Timothy, had fallen down the stairs and died, feeding into the opinion that the house was haunted. Rory doesn't argue with that; when he was five, a little boy named Joey Starling moved to the house from Boston. A chandelier crashed to the ground shortly after they moved in, and Joey also fell down the stairs. He threw such a fit about going home after being in the hospital that he stayed with Rory's family, and shortly thereafter went to live with his grandparents, and the Starlings sold the house. Even Rory's grandfather, Ojiichan, felt something odd about the place when he visited from Japan, and told Rory to keep holy water and salt on hand. An iron fence was put up between the properties, and Ojiichan made sure that Rory had a cat to protect him from the yokai, evil spirits, in the house. Now, a new family has moved in. Jack Yoon is Rory's age, but Mira is much younger. They immediately feel something is wrong, and when the electricity goes out, Rory comes over with salt molds to make morishio is the children's bedrooms. There's disgusting gray goo that shows up all over the house that Mira says is created by the creatures popping and melting when they are killed. After Jack's dad is burned at his mother has to take him to the ER, the kids know they have to put an end to this. They've been talking to Timothy and Hazel, who are tethered to the house. They indicate that the creatures arrived after their father put a hole in the basement while building a bomb shelter, and after that the creatures, who crave young children's blood and bones, were a problem. Hazel, who has been watching television shows with Jack's Halmeoni, wants to help. Will Rory and Jack, with some help from Mira, be able to fight off the creatures so that the Yoons can live in their house in peace?
Strengths: Oh, who also wrote the creepy Spirit Hunters series, puts a spin on the moving-into-a-haunted house middle grade trope by having the house next door be haunted. This gives us a little more depth to the mystery, and Rory's friendship with Joey gives him more motivation to fight. The creatures are a bit gross, which is always a plus, and the gray goo is nicely depicted on the great cover (the artist was not mentioned in the E ARC). The parents are all around and supportive, but stay in the background, no doubt busy with their jobs as IT support, physics professor, and librarian. No idea why those details tickled me so much, especially Jack getting a library card from Rory's mom! Getting advice from Ojiichan was helpful, although I would have loved to see more of him. There was also a LOT of description of yummy Japanese and Korean food, which will definitely appeal to hungry middle grade readers.
Weaknesses: This wasn't quite as scary as I hoped it would be. While we heard stories about incidents from the past, there weren't a lot of gory details that my readers love in books by K.R. Alexander, Chris Krovatin, or Jeff Strand. Blood and gore, jump scares, and ghost who want to kill the children would have helped. I don't make the rules; I have the conversations with macabre eleven year olds.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who want creepy ghost tales like Parris' Field of Screams or Uhrig's The Polter-Ghost Problem.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Middle grade readers will be excited to see a new paranormal-scary book from the writer of the well-circulated Spirit Hunters series! This time there is a house haunted by some sort of being that seems to target children and has managed to stay unseen for decades and could be responsible for the death of at least one child, Timothy. Twelve year old Rory knows all too well that something was responsible for the injuries sustained by his friend Joey while he and his family lived in the house next door to him. Since then, several other families tried to live there but never stay long and for years, it has remained empty and with his grandfather’s help, Rory has assembled a variety of protective charms set up around his own home and his cat Tansy is also a key element in those safety nets. New horrors await, however, as two new children, Jack and Mira, move in with their parents and a grandmother and seem completely unaware of the history.

Oh’s look at evil, supernatural creatures stems from the fairly innocuous story of the tooth fairy but morphs into ugly fairies with a taste for the bones and teeth of children, the younger and fresher the better. The tension builds steadily as both family’s pets, Tansy and Jack’s dog Petey, stay close to their owners and on alert at all times, piles of odd-looking gray goo appear on the floor, appliances mysteriously stop working and Mira begins talking about a young boy who warns her to keep the lights on, not to go into the basement and to stay close to her parents. Rory is able to see the boy-ghost Timothy and his sister Hazel as well and the duo reveal much more to him. Rory and Jack, who cannot see the spirits but knows that something is wreaking havoc in his home, prepare to do battle using every tool Rory’s grandfather/Objiichan has shared with him. The confrontation between the boys and the two pets is epic and will keep readers on the edge of their seat, cringing at detailed descriptions of the creatures set on using Mira as dinner.

Along with some terrific descriptive passages, Oh includes paranormal legends and plenty of food references from Rory’s Japanese background and Korean cuisine from Jack’s family. Both families demonstrate great respect for their heritages as well as honor extended to their elders. Text is free of profanity and sexual content. There is violence but it is appropriate to both the genre and the target age group of grades 4-8. While the paranormal creatures do have nefarious plans for children, the injuries to them are limited to scratches and bruises and Timothy’s death is due to a fall down the stairs during his encounter with the beings.

Highly recommended for the horror sections of home, school and public libraries.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by HarperCollins Children's Books

*2.5

Rory hasn't set foot in the house next door since his neighbors fled after their son, Chase, was seriously injured. He knows the place is haunted, even if the new family living there, the Yoons, don't. And he's determined to make sure the house doesn't hurt them too.

I wanted to like this so badly, after (and maybe especially) seeing all the lukewarm reviews. Unfortunately, I have to add my lukewarm review to the bunch. The biggest roadblock for me was the writing. I don't want to sound mean, but this felt like baby's first book, it was that amateurly written. It felt incredibly stilted, the dialogue was hamfisted at best, and cringey and unrealistic at worst, and large blocks of exposition were dumped on the readers all at once throughout the book.

However, that wasn't my biggest issue. This novel as a POV problem. While the story is from Rory's third-person limited POV, he's a painfully static character. Jack is the much more dynamic character, and the one with the arc (however poorly done). Which, there's nothing inherently wrong with the central protagonist lacking a character arc, especially because Rory does maintain agency within the narrative.

But I need a more engaging cast of characters if the plot's going to be so slow. Oh seriously backloaded the back half of this book, leaving me to plod through the first half. The story seldom had any sense of urgency, which is strange, considering the stakes of the story in the abstract. But, because Oh failed to engage me on a writing or character level, there was simply nothing to sink my teeth into.

The one bright spot in this novel, and the reason this isn't 2 stars, is that the book really kicks it into high gear for the climax. THAT level of action, of mischief and planning and danger, was what was missing from the rest of the book.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A MG horror novel by the amazing Ellen Oh.
🏚️
Rory Parker is a kid who’s learned the hard way to fear the rotting, haunted house beside his own. Shadows move where they shouldn’t, spirits whisper in empty rooms, and the place has already taken someone he loved. So when a new family (Jack and his little sister included) move in, Rory feels the clock start ticking. The house wants something, and its presence turns darker by the day. To stop whatever is waking inside those walls, Rory teams up with Jack and a few unexpected spectral allies, hoping they can unravel the house’s sinister secrets before it claims its next victims.
🏘️
What hits strongest is how the story mixes heart and horror. Rory’s fear feels real, but so does his determination to protect people who barely know him. The creepiness builds in steady waves, with each encounter making the stakes sharper and more personal. Underneath the jump scares and eerie moments is a story about friendship, courage, and choosing to face what terrifies you. It’s middle grade spooky in all the right ways, but also surprisingly warm, which makes it a perfect entry for young readers wanting a scare with soul. Don’t read it hungry because the descriptions of the various Asian cuisines will have you drooling!

CW: death, violence, injury, hospitalization

Took too long to get into.

[Megyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this one in exchange for an honest review!

This book follows Rory, a young kid who lives next door to a haunted house. When a new family moves in, he has to protect them from the monsters in their house.

I enjoyed this book! We had some creepy moments, we had some funny moments, and we had some great friendships. We also had some Korean and Japanese cultural parts like discussion of different foods and customs and what not. I enjoyed learning about that stuff while also being creeped out; it was a good balance.

I didn't find the story to be too scary but it was creepy and would be good for kids.

I did find the dialogue to be a bit unrealistic at times but overall this was a great story.

[Ashley Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rory wants to be excited about the new neighbors moving in next door. There’s a boy just his age and a spunky little dog too. It’s just that the history of the house is unsettling, and he’s already lost one friend to its darkness. His family and the new neighbors will have to work together if they want to survive.

Somehow I read two haunted house books yesterday. One for adults - 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘕𝘪𝘤𝘦 - and this one for middle grade readers. A number of reviewers say it’s not scary enough. It’s for kids! I thought it was perfectly creepy, and I appreciate the short length making it accessible to young readers working on reading stamina. Features characters of Korean and Japanese heritage and includes lots of descriptions of authentic cuisine.

[Cristy (Quinnbook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This spooky middle grade was a look bsolutely phenomenal. Filled with spooky moments and of course our courageous protagonist. The story centers around Rory and he is very mature for his young age. He lives in a very coveted neighborhood, unfortunately the house next door is an exception.

Being lived by a very strange and reclusive old lady, Rory knows not to get too close. A while ago Rory was best friends with the boy who lived in that house, unfortunately a lot of weird and bizarre things started to occur that their friendship suffered dearly. Time goes by and now the house has been sold to a new family. Everything seems to be okay for a little bit, until things start to happen again. Now with the help of his new friends Rory will have to fight unexpected spirits and malevolent figures. I loved this story, it’s absolutely perfect for spooky season and don’t forget to read it with the lights on.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty mild horror thriller for the middle grade set where there's a creepy house next door with all sorts of spooky things happening after there was a dig and unsettling. Rory is the main character and Jack is the new neighbor friend as they figure out just what's happening and has been happening.

I was a fan of the inclusion of a lot of Japanese food and family which adds attention to diversity that Oh is known for and that worked its way into the story. It wasn't earth-shatteringly spooky but just enough delight for an October read.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great spooky haunted house read perfect for the spooky season. I loved the creepy nature of the monsters in this and the friendship development. I enjoyed the descriptions of food and made me very hungry. I loved how Oh took two different Asian cultures and highlighted the similarities between them. Thrilling story and perfectly plotted. Would’ve loved more character development but I think kids will enjoy the plotting and the short page count.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first book from Ellen Oh and is the perfect horror book to start your middle grade kid on.

The House Next Door is wholesome with a suspense and creepiness that isn't necessarily outright scary. Rory is a great kid with a great family which makes him the perfect antagonist. He has experience with the paranormal due to living next to a house that holds ghosts and something more evil. This evil drove out his former neighbors and friend and has since housed occupants for short periods of time or sat vacant. When a new family moves in and he befriends the son, Jack, he knows he has to help them. Jack is a good counter balance to Rory. He’s a great kid with a lot of similar interests to Rory but he does not believe in the paranormal. But he ultimately trusts Rory when Rory tells Jack his little sister is in danger and they start coming up with a plan.

Besides how great the kids are, the stand out was both boys’ families. I loved getting a glimpse into a Japanese American household and a Korean American household. I loved that both families love and center food within their home and wish I had that growing up. I have a list of food to try now!

Overall, the story is about family, friendship, and being brave. With, of course, the paranormal. I really enjoyed this and highly recommend for middle grade kids (and adults too)!

[Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and fast paced read that is delightfully spooky and has you sitting on the edge of your seat, The House Next Door is the perfect book for young readers looking for a scary story. With lovable characters, adorable animal sidekicks, and enough descriptions of delicious food to make you drool, this is one book you won’t want to miss!

[Mimayk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.0 ⭐ - I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The plot was unlike anything I’ve ever read. Some parts were a little boring, others pulled me into the book. I liked the characters, but one of them was slightly annoying. I felt like more could have happened. Other than that, it was a good read.

[Krysti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The House Next Door by Ellen Oh is spooky, heartfelt, and impossible to put down! It’s got that perfect blend of ghostly chills and emotional depth that keeps you turning pages long past bedtime. Ellen Oh weaves mystery, friendship, and courage together in a story that’s both eerie and empowering. A fantastic read for anyone who loves a good haunting with heart!

[Paula Waak · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun fast read for upper elementary and middle school aged kids. This spooky story gives a twist on a special mythical figure and legend. There are ghosts, but there's also good humor for the kids to lighten some rather scary moments. I enjoyed the Korean and Japanese food dishes described too!!!

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun , age appropriate scary story. I enjoyed the story overall but it felt rushed at times, and at others it felt like something was missing. The content itself is age appropriate while still being scary and fun for young readers.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC

[Dead Sirius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

3.5/5 stars: A good mystery and light horror book for early middle grade readers. The plot did drag on around 60% of the book so the ending felt a little rushed.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 3.5. The writing is a little clunky at times and it could use some better scene transitions, but the story was interesting. I really enjoyed the creatures in the story, since they are not something that you come across all the time. Overall, it was a fun & spooky read!

[Karen Reeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Oh has mastered creating a strong spooky story that is also short! So many young readers are looking for shorter books, and this hits it perfectly, drawing you in with some mystery then quickly and efficiently developing the story. I loved this perfectly creepy book!

[Angela Sandoval · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not truly scary enough to be called horror, but definitely thriller. Intense creepiness and a little gore, both friendly ghosts and evil monsters, kids who bravely face their fears to save their loved ones. A lot to pack into 185 pages. Our middle school students are going to enjoy this one!