The Big House

by Carolyn Coman

When their parents are sent “up the river” for embezzlement, Ray and Ivy are left to live in the lap of luxury with Marietta Noland and her ancient husband, Lionel. But life at the big house is not all it's cracked up to be. First there is the shrouded portrait, then there is the spider in the decaying wedding cake. And what about the vicious instrument Marietta uses to decapitate her egg? When "the rain in Spain" begins to fall (in other words, Ray wets his bed), things go from bad to worse and Ivy knows it is time to take matters into her own hands. What follows is a hilarious lark as Ray and Ivy case the joint, get the skinny, and show Marietta she has met her match.

Genres: Mystery, Childrens, Middle Grade, Family, Juvenile, Realistic Fiction, Humor

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

Carolyn Coman (born 1951 in Evanston near Chicago) is a writer of children's books living in South Hampton, New Hampshire. Her books What Jamie Saw (1995) and Many Stones (2000) were nominated for several awards.

She worked as a bookbinder from 1975-84 and later as an editor with Heinemann before she became a full-time writer. Her books include the portrait documentary of the debut, and a picture book before 4 novels for young adults from 1993 to 2000. Her two latest books (2004 and 2007), for middle grade readers, combine humor, investigation and a sense of nostalgia.

Her four young adult novels are described as “she explores the darker sides of growing up: dealing with parent's abandonment through death in Tell Me Everything, abuse by a stepparent in What Jamie Saw, sibling incest in Bee and Jacky and a political-inspired tragedy in Many Stones.” Many Stones was inspired by the murder of Amy Biehl.

Her book What Jamie Saw (1995) was short-listed for the Newbery Medal and National Book Award, it was also nominated for Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award. Many Stones (2000) was a National Book Award finalist, won the Michael L. Printz Award and were listed among School Library Journal's Best Books of The Year.

Reviews

[Linnae · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an odd one. It was well-written, and the children win out over the grownups in a way that is quite satisfying.

However, the whole premise of the book is that these children have grown up with parents who have several rackets going at any given time, for which they occasionally are thrown into jail. So when both mom and dad are sent up the river for embezzlement (guilty as charged), and the children are taken into custody by the woman bringing the charges, it's no big deal. They use the skills they've learned from mom and dad, and proceed to case the joint, collect evidence (that is, steal stuff), and try to prove mom and dad's innocence, or at least spring them.

Most juvenile literature has pretty clear-cut lines around good guys and bad guys. This one blurred those lines in a subtle way that I don't think most kids would pick up on, in the age group for which it was written. I could see it working as a young adult book, except that the protagonists are too young. Hmmm...just odd.

[Clare N · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is purely a fun read for older readers, but kids may not enjoy the slow pace

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a house. Now if you are interested in this book, good, keep on reading. If you are not interested, still keep on reading because you might like it.

One day, there was family. One daughter, one son, and a mother and father. The daughter was named Ivy. And the boy was named Ray. The mother and father was now sent to judge for some reason. So, mother and father told Ivy A Ray to act like if they were in church. (Not very good advice because never been in a church). So when family got to judge. The judge said this "I demand for this to people to be sent up the river because they haven't been paying their taxes at all. So that will be their punishment." "But sir" said mother. What do we do with our children? I will Matria to babysit your children. Now go and take them to the closest river you can find ordered the judge. So then, Matria took Ivy and Ray to her house. It was a huge house. Now I expect behavior in my house understand said Matria. Yes said Ray and Ivy. Then they walked in the house. Or should I say genormis house. They never seen a house like this before. After a few days they gotten use to the house. They were still thinking about parents. After a few days, there parents came back!!! They were happy together.

Matria - Very strict, rode, unkind, and hateful

Ivy - Honest, brave, kind, and thankful

Ray - Nervous, scared, bashful, and brave sometimes

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow! What would you do if your parents were sent to prison for a crime they didn't commit? And, what if you were sent off to live with your parents' accusers? That is precisely what happens to Ivy and Ray Fitts in this light-hearted mystery novel called The Big House. Their parents, Carol and Dan, were charged with embezzlement and sent to prison for 25 years! But, Ivy and Ray are not your ordinary, run-of-the-mill kids, oh no...they are savvy and resourceful! They begin to suspect some funny business surrounding their caregivers, Marietta and Lionel Noland, who live in a big house. So, what does Ivy do? She enlists the help of her little brother in collecting the necessary evidence they need to spring their parents from their big house, a.k.a prison. With luck, they amass seemingly inconsistent clues which bring crabby, crotchety Marietta to justice. You will be tickled by the pranks they pull, the prickly predicaments they get into and the procession of quirky characters they meet.When I first picked up this intriguing book, I was curious about the comical cover. Now, I know you can just hear me saying, "never judge a book by its cover!" But, how can you help but be attracted by such a colorful, silly cover. Wonder of wonders, the story does not disappoint the reader...it is a captivating mystery with a justifiably jovial ending!

[Tenille Shade · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute story about a brother and sister with wild imaginations. Their antics kept me engaged, but I think today's kids might have a hard time connecting to their adventures. I was always a little unclear about the setting, and their parents seem a bit "off". I found myself thinking about the adult novel, The Glass Castle, because the family was always on the run from the law. The children learned to be resourceful and their survival skills were admirable.

Mrs. Marrieta reminded me of Ms. Mauvis from, The Name of This Book is Secret. Every good story must have a villian, and it seemed ironic that the woman who had the kids parents' thrown in jail would become their caregivers. A little far fetched if you ask me . . . I guess thats the point of fiction!

This would make a descent read-aloud, but it wasn't my favorite book of the summer.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

When their parents are sent "up the river" for embezzlement, Ray and Ivy are left to live in the lap of luxury with Marietta Noland and her ancient husband, Lionel. But life at the big house is not all it is cracked up to be. First there is the shrouded portrait, then there is the spider in the decaying wedding cake. And what about the vicious instrument Marietta uses to decapitate her egg? When "the rain in Spain" begins to fall (in other words, Ray wets his bed), things go from bad to worse and Ivy knows it is time to take matters into her own hands. What follows is a hilarious lark as Ray and Ivy case the joint, get the skinny, and show Marietta she has met her match.

[Morgan Daniels · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very good book. The Big House is about a young girl (Ivy- the big sister) and a even younger boy (Ray- the little brother). Their parents get sent to jail for something the kids believe that they didn't do. The kids are forced to move in with Marrietta, a mean old lady they hate. Marrietta owns a very huge house, with Sissy (the maid/cook), and Andrew (the butler).Ivy and Ray explore the house, get into trouble, and make games out of everything and everywhere they go. As they try to find evidence to prove their parents innocent, they have fun and make the best out of what they can.

[Jen-hotdiggetyewe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Currently reading to my son's 3rd grade class. I don't like any of it, but it is on their Virginia Young readers list so I am reading it to them. I don't feel any excitement or anticipation concerning what will happen next and I don't feel a strong connection to any of the characters. The plot is supposed to be exciting, but it is dull and I find a number of the kids get the fidgets while I read it. A disappointment. I wouldn't recommend it.

[Madison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a mystery and a realistic fiction.Ivy and Ray are forced to live with this really mean lady who they very much dislike.While they are living with her they discover this portrait that is covered up and they have no clue why.So they try to find out about it and about the old lady. I think you should read this book if you are ready for solving a mystery!

[Elle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this book. It felt slow paced to me and I found the viewpoint a bit tiring at times. However, it was interesting enough that I wanted to know what happened. The ending saved it from being two stars, because I really did like how it turned out.

Review by: http://lachatblanc.wordpress.com/

[Ginger · Rating 3 out of 5]

At the conclusion of their parents’ trial and incarceration, Ivy and Ray are put into the care of Marietta and Lionel Noland. The adventures that ensue are a little dark, a little off-the-wall, and very much Roald Dahl-like.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had seen this book several times at the library and finally decided to check it out. I read the entire book in a portion of a day. It is a very easy read. This book is a fun book with lots of adventure and a little mystery. I think young boys or girls would enjoy this book.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really is a nice book. I love it when things work out, especially when it's not quite the way you expect they will. Ray and Ivy have a great brother/sister relationship, and I love Ivy's quotes from her father. A rough begining to a great end. What more can you want in life or literature?

[Kristin Lenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is 9 year old Maya's review. 4 stars instead of 5 because there is a slow part in the middle, but keep going, it's worth it - highly recommended. This is Maya's second Carolyn Coman book - she also loved The Memory Bank.

[Lily Bomb · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had a very promising beginning and an interesting plot but the ending was very disappointing. The characters solve the mystery only because they happen to find a contract sitting on a table. They don’t actually do anything except that. 👎👎

[Rose]

JF She

[♥☆.*.~L0r3na~.*.☆♥ BANDA the PANDA!!!;) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really recomend it to anyone. The two main charecters try to grt their own parents back and get them out of jail.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a pretty good book, though kind of confusing.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a bad little story, though the ending was not quite as strong as the rest of the book.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far it is okay. The kids obviously absorbed all their parents' lessons on how to be criminals. We'll see if it picks up with some sort of problem/adventure later on. Right now, a little boring.

[Gabby Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!!! i love this book it was the first ever book to get me intrested in reading books. i recomend for all of yall to read this book it is very intresting!!!! it tells a very good story!!!

[Michelle White]

I loved this book. I've never read a children's mystery. I got it from the IUS Library.

[Lorraine Der]

Library Catalog

[Margaret Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A children's story about two kids whose parents are sent to prison and the kids must go with their great aunt.

[Cailin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, I loved it and if you like mysteries, you will too.

[Christine Turner]

When their parents are sent "up the river" for embezzlement, Ray and Ivy are left to live in the lap of luxury with Marietta Noland and her ancient husband, Lionel. But life at the big house is not all it's cracked up to be. First there is the shrouded portrait, then there is the spider in the decaying wedding cake. And what about the vicious instrument Marietta uses to decapitate her egg? When "the rain in Spain" begins to fall (in other words, Ray wets his bed), things go from bad to worse and Ivy knows it is time to take matters into her own hands. What follows is a hilarious lark as Ray and Ivy case the joint, get the skinny, and show Marietta she has met her match.


Award: Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List, 2006-2007.
Subject: Humorous stories
Brothers and sisters -- Juvenile fiction
Crime -- Juvenile fiction.