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The House on the Gulf
When Britt's older brother, Bran, lands a summer job house-sitting for the Marquises, an elderly couple, it seems like a great opportunity. Britt and Bran have moved to Florida so their mother can finish college, and the house-sitting income will allow their mom to quit her job and take classes full-time. Having never lived in a real house before, Britt is thrilled. There's only one problem: Britt starts to suspect her family isn't supposed to be there.
She's been noticing that Bran is acting weird and defensive - he hides the Marquises' mail, won't let anyone touch the thermostat, and discourages Britt from meeting any of the neighbors. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Britt starts investigating and makes a startling discovery - the Marquises aren't who Bran has led her and their mom to believe. So whose house are they staying in, and why has Bran brought them there?
She's been noticing that Bran is acting weird and defensive - he hides the Marquises' mail, won't let anyone touch the thermostat, and discourages Britt from meeting any of the neighbors. Determined to get to the bottom of things, Britt starts investigating and makes a startling discovery - the Marquises aren't who Bran has led her and their mom to believe. So whose house are they staying in, and why has Bran brought them there?
201 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
69 people are currently reading
1384 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Peterson Haddix
142 books6,392 followersMargaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
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June 2, 2023Haddix was one of my favorite writers as a kid, and, rereading this book, I remember why.
***
"I don't want to hurt anyone," I mumbled.
"Good," Bran said.
And I knew he didn't understand what I meant. My "anyone" was so much broader than his. It included the Marcuses and Mrs. Stuldy, all my customers. The whole world.
His "anyone" was just him and Mom. And maybe, maybe me (p. 147).
***
"I don't want to hurt anyone," I mumbled.
"Good," Bran said.
And I knew he didn't understand what I meant. My "anyone" was so much broader than his. It included the Marcuses and Mrs. Stuldy, all my customers. The whole world.
His "anyone" was just him and Mom. And maybe, maybe me (p. 147).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2022
Classic Haddix book
March 8, 2013
Brittany wants to find out why her brother is acting so suspicious, but she doesn’t want him to know, so she goes behind his back to figure out what he’s up to. In the book, House on the Gulf by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Brittany and her older brother Bran recently moved to Florida for their mom’s college. Bran got them a house-sitting job where they can live over the summer. Recently, Brittany has been noticing that Bran has been acting very suspicious..
“Bran! What are you doing?” I shrieked.
He dropped the flashlight and it rolled toward me. I picked it up.
“Jeez, Britt, you scared me to death,” Bran said, jerking the flashlight out of my hand. He shone it right onto my face, like I was a suspect of a crime. “What are you doing out here?”
I think this is a very important part in the book because it shows how Bran was trying to hide something, but got caught by Brittany. You can also see this reaction to when she found him, and made him seem very guilty of something. This book is exciting to read because there is a complete mystery going on. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.
“Bran! What are you doing?” I shrieked.
He dropped the flashlight and it rolled toward me. I picked it up.
“Jeez, Britt, you scared me to death,” Bran said, jerking the flashlight out of my hand. He shone it right onto my face, like I was a suspect of a crime. “What are you doing out here?”
I think this is a very important part in the book because it shows how Bran was trying to hide something, but got caught by Brittany. You can also see this reaction to when she found him, and made him seem very guilty of something. This book is exciting to read because there is a complete mystery going on. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.
June 30, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
January 6, 2013
What I learned from this book?
I learned that every choice you make effects the people around you.
Bran, Britt, and their mother moved to Florida so their mother can get an education. Through out the book Bran is house sitting for the Marquises, an older couple. Except he is acting weird, and Britt thinks he's hiding something. With their mother at school during the day Britt has to figure out what Bran is hiding. During this book you will come to some very surprising things. Also there is many cliff hangers. Overall this book is very mysterious and jaw dropping. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something that will leave you guessing because this book has a lot of that.
Margaret Peterson Haddix
I learned that every choice you make effects the people around you.
Bran, Britt, and their mother moved to Florida so their mother can get an education. Through out the book Bran is house sitting for the Marquises, an older couple. Except he is acting weird, and Britt thinks he's hiding something. With their mother at school during the day Britt has to figure out what Bran is hiding. During this book you will come to some very surprising things. Also there is many cliff hangers. Overall this book is very mysterious and jaw dropping. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something that will leave you guessing because this book has a lot of that.
Margaret Peterson Haddix
December 24, 2007
Every author is entitled to one or two stinkers. So even after reading this, I can still be a loyal fan of Margaret Peterson Haddix.
I don't like reading a mystery book when I can figure out the "big mystery" on page six. It was painfully obvious and it was agonizing reading the protagonist being so clueless.
If anyone beside Margaret Peterson Haddix had written the book, I would have stopped reading by the end of the chapter. But because she has never let me down, I kept on reading, hoping to find out the REAL mystery of the story. There was sort of a plot twist, but I figured out the twist on the plot twist by the time she was looking through the picture albums in the closet.
I don't like reading a mystery book when I can figure out the "big mystery" on page six. It was painfully obvious and it was agonizing reading the protagonist being so clueless.
If anyone beside Margaret Peterson Haddix had written the book, I would have stopped reading by the end of the chapter. But because she has never let me down, I kept on reading, hoping to find out the REAL mystery of the story. There was sort of a plot twist, but I figured out the twist on the plot twist by the time she was looking through the picture albums in the closet.
February 27, 2014
The house on the gulf by Margaret Peterson Haddix is about a thirteen year old girl named Britt Lasseter. When Britt's older brother, Bran gets to house sit for an elderly couple during the summer, the lasseters' lives have changed. Since Britt, Bran, and their mother have always lived on the streets, this would be the summer of a lifetime for the family. But once they move into the house, Bran starts acting very suspicious, not touching anything inside or outside the house, making sure everything is in perfect condition. Bran's excuse for his behaviour is the Marquises, (the elderly couple letting Bran house sit) told him if anything was out of place when they got back, they would not be paying him. Even though this convinces Britt's mother, she still thinks something is wrong. I rated this book four out of five stars because it was a great book, it left you on the edge of your seat, you never knew what was going to happen next. The end of the book, things kind of got out of hand and very confusing and not realistic at all but for the most part it was a great book.
August 23, 2019
Not as good as Margaret Peterson Haddix's other books. I could figure out everything before it happened! Sort of a silly premise.
May 10, 2023
Twist and turns the whole way through!
December 24, 2009
Clearly not one of my favorite books by Margaret Petersen Haddix. This book did not have the intensity that she has had through out the other books that I have read of hers. The House on The Gulf is a story of a young boy named Bran and his sister Britt. Bran has been mowing lawns for a family in Florida and comes home one day to tell his mom and sister that he has been asked to house sit for the older couple while they go to New York for the summer. His family is so excited since they could barely afford rent in their apartment and really needed a break.
After moving in Bran had been acting mysterious from the moment they walked in the door. He removed every picture from the walls, anything that could possibly break and even the family's plates, cups and silverware. Britt has started to wonder what is going on and begins a small investigation of her own to figure this mystery out.
So at this point in the story I was getting kind of bored. Sadly enough one night when I opened the book I picked a page toward the end and decided to read one paragraph. After reading it, I thought I had ruined the whole book for myself but...I was wrong. Margaret Petersen Haddix threw in some some great twists and turns that even if you think you know how this book is going to end, you aren't. The intensity in this book was not as face paced as it is in her other books, but nonetheless still a great book.
After moving in Bran had been acting mysterious from the moment they walked in the door. He removed every picture from the walls, anything that could possibly break and even the family's plates, cups and silverware. Britt has started to wonder what is going on and begins a small investigation of her own to figure this mystery out.
So at this point in the story I was getting kind of bored. Sadly enough one night when I opened the book I picked a page toward the end and decided to read one paragraph. After reading it, I thought I had ruined the whole book for myself but...I was wrong. Margaret Petersen Haddix threw in some some great twists and turns that even if you think you know how this book is going to end, you aren't. The intensity in this book was not as face paced as it is in her other books, but nonetheless still a great book.
October 24, 2011
There was something about this house that made bran weird. Every page of 201 pages were full of mystery and something new about the house that made bran weird. Margey petterson haddix did a great job with this book. The problem in this book is that bran doesn't want to lie. She is keeping so many Secrets from people that she just wants to explode. The book can be amagined how ever you want it to look like in anytime. Britt is the narrator. Her real name is brittany but she doesn't like that name. Britt cannot make decision. "then I stood there for a moment longer and m hand reached out a card I'd glanced at and put it back once or twice."
Britt and her brother bran and their mom were struggling with money. Bran came home and told them hevfound a house they could stay at for the whole summer. Britt was getting bad scence of this and she saw that her brother was acting weird.
I liked all the mysteries in this book. "I couldn't think about ghosts and the new, jumpy bran right now." " a week ago we saw your brother putting boxes of something out in the marquises storage shed" I think the theme of this book is to trust your heart in what it knows. Whoever likes mysteries will like this book. The unique thing is that it compares and contrasts with other books.
Britt and her brother bran and their mom were struggling with money. Bran came home and told them hevfound a house they could stay at for the whole summer. Britt was getting bad scence of this and she saw that her brother was acting weird.
I liked all the mysteries in this book. "I couldn't think about ghosts and the new, jumpy bran right now." " a week ago we saw your brother putting boxes of something out in the marquises storage shed" I think the theme of this book is to trust your heart in what it knows. Whoever likes mysteries will like this book. The unique thing is that it compares and contrasts with other books.
February 11, 2012
Quick Book Summary:
Bran invited his family to live with him in the Marquises while he house-sitted for them. Bran started acting weirder and weirder about the house. Britt found out that the Marquises are really her mom's parents and their grandparents. In the end Bran searched the wrong Marquises and almost went to jail for it! After everything was over they got to live with Mrs. and Mr. Stuldy.
I gave the book three stars because I thought it was an interesting yet confusing book. I also liked how it had so many cool and exciting twists. I recommend this book beacuse it is a really mysterious book and would like to share the mystery with others. I liked how Bran always protected Britt, usually I would always fight with my sister. I also liked how the setting was when they lived in Florida on the beach in the summer, surrounded by trees, fresh green grass, sand, and water. It was exciting and intense when they heard the police sirens and thought Bran was going to jail and the time at the end of the book when they got to live with the Stuldy's. I would recommend this book to parents, family, classmates, teahers, and especially people who like mystery books.
Bran invited his family to live with him in the Marquises while he house-sitted for them. Bran started acting weirder and weirder about the house. Britt found out that the Marquises are really her mom's parents and their grandparents. In the end Bran searched the wrong Marquises and almost went to jail for it! After everything was over they got to live with Mrs. and Mr. Stuldy.
I gave the book three stars because I thought it was an interesting yet confusing book. I also liked how it had so many cool and exciting twists. I recommend this book beacuse it is a really mysterious book and would like to share the mystery with others. I liked how Bran always protected Britt, usually I would always fight with my sister. I also liked how the setting was when they lived in Florida on the beach in the summer, surrounded by trees, fresh green grass, sand, and water. It was exciting and intense when they heard the police sirens and thought Bran was going to jail and the time at the end of the book when they got to live with the Stuldy's. I would recommend this book to parents, family, classmates, teahers, and especially people who like mystery books.
February 2, 2013
It was a mystery but a little bit of a let-down an why the brother was hiding things. I thought it was going to be a little more magical. In the end the owner of the house wasn't the Marquises, it was the Marcuses. Bran though that the owner of the house was his mom's parents, but it turned out to be another Marcus. The reason Bran wanted to stay in his grandparent's house was because they were horrible to her. He was working as the lawn boy mowing the lawn and taking care of it. (The Marcuses go to New York every summer) When Mr. Marcus dies, Mrs. Marcus goes back to Florida to sell the house. Thats when its revealed that Mr. and Mrs Marcus are NOT the mom's parent's. It was a twist but not as big as I was hoping. Margret Peterson Haddix is a great author and all but I like her her other books more. You should read this book. This is only so much I can put into a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2012
Bran, Britt and mom Becky spend their summer house sitting for an elderly couple in Florida. From the start, things do seem quite right with the arrangement. Bran hides away all of the owners' personal possessions and is keen to keep Britt and his mom in the dark about his reasons. Britt, bored and confused decides to take a job running errands for the other elderly neighbors. She slowly discovers that their reasons for being there are tied to her mother's troubled familial past.
Very slow unraveling of the 'mystery'. Didn't care for any of the characters, especially Bran. Ending was ok but felt that the story was dragged out for too long.
Very slow unraveling of the 'mystery'. Didn't care for any of the characters, especially Bran. Ending was ok but felt that the story was dragged out for too long.
November 6, 2008
i really love this book. it was about a girl, who have a grandmother that kicked her mother out of her house because she ran away with her father. And her brother was trying to make up to her mom by moving in to their grandparent's house but without telling the grandparent when they are in a trip. But at the end, they found out that it was not their mother's REAL parents!!! so WHO are their grandparents??? How did the brother mix their grandprents with other? READ the book to find out.=D
February 12, 2019
This is a cute coming of age story where a young tween learns the heart breaking fact that sometimes some people simply do not want you in their lives. However, there are other people who will welcome you with open arms.
She also learns that her "perfect" big brother is not always perfect. He went on the dishonest route and she busted him with her snooping.
The whole theme of this book is forgiveness and how some people are more forgiving than others.
She also learns that her "perfect" big brother is not always perfect. He went on the dishonest route and she busted him with her snooping.
The whole theme of this book is forgiveness and how some people are more forgiving than others.
January 23, 2023
The book I read is called The House on the Gulf with a lexile level of 730. This book is about a family with a mom who is called mom and her kids' names are Bran and Britt (Britt is a girl and Bran is a boy.) Bran gets a house sitting job with fully paid rent so mom can go to school. When they are house sitting Britt gets suspicious. Is Bran hiding something from mom and Britt? And who are the Marquises really?
From the start Britt started to get suspicious like she said “I knew it the first day he showed me the house.” I also thought something was up from the start. Because it all started out when they moved from Philadelphia to the poor side of Florida “sunset terrace”. Bran decided to get a job as a lawn mower for the Marquises to help his mom out with the rent. Then when the Marquises went to their home in New York for the winter they decided to give Bran a house-sitting job with no rent, Mom then decided to finish school. When Bran and Britt went to check out the house together and the Marquises were still and when Britt was gonna thank them Bran pushed her away and started talking louder and told Britt to go get back on her bike. Then the next day they packed everything up and went there. They couldn't use the air conditioner and couldn't mess with the timer on the lights , and Bran put away their pictures and couldn't tell Mom and Britt that they couldn't mess with their stuff. Throughout the middle of the book things just kept going on like that and Britt made friends with the neighbor who was an old lady. When Britt was trying to find evidence she found a locked closet. The next day she decided to confront Bran and he told her everything, that they weren't supposed to be there and the marquises are really John and Mary Marcus, Moms parents. Then when they were packing up and the Marcuses came home early and yelled at them. Then when they told them who they really are they were mad but then they all made up and had a happy relationship.
I recommend this book to all ages because it is really interesting but I think they could have made it a bit more suspenseful.I think that because I was suspecting that they weren't supposed to be there but I didn't expect the Marcuses to be the moms parents which was a plot twist. I also think that this book was easy to read because it had a lot of detail. Lastly I don't connect with this book because I think of it like it could be a movie and made to entertain not to be realistic, But overall I rate this book a 4 star.
From the start Britt started to get suspicious like she said “I knew it the first day he showed me the house.” I also thought something was up from the start. Because it all started out when they moved from Philadelphia to the poor side of Florida “sunset terrace”. Bran decided to get a job as a lawn mower for the Marquises to help his mom out with the rent. Then when the Marquises went to their home in New York for the winter they decided to give Bran a house-sitting job with no rent, Mom then decided to finish school. When Bran and Britt went to check out the house together and the Marquises were still and when Britt was gonna thank them Bran pushed her away and started talking louder and told Britt to go get back on her bike. Then the next day they packed everything up and went there. They couldn't use the air conditioner and couldn't mess with the timer on the lights , and Bran put away their pictures and couldn't tell Mom and Britt that they couldn't mess with their stuff. Throughout the middle of the book things just kept going on like that and Britt made friends with the neighbor who was an old lady. When Britt was trying to find evidence she found a locked closet. The next day she decided to confront Bran and he told her everything, that they weren't supposed to be there and the marquises are really John and Mary Marcus, Moms parents. Then when they were packing up and the Marcuses came home early and yelled at them. Then when they told them who they really are they were mad but then they all made up and had a happy relationship.
I recommend this book to all ages because it is really interesting but I think they could have made it a bit more suspenseful.I think that because I was suspecting that they weren't supposed to be there but I didn't expect the Marcuses to be the moms parents which was a plot twist. I also think that this book was easy to read because it had a lot of detail. Lastly I don't connect with this book because I think of it like it could be a movie and made to entertain not to be realistic, But overall I rate this book a 4 star.
November 28, 2017
The House on the Gulf.
First of all, (1)the book starts off where they’re moving to the new house. They go on the beach have a lot of fun and bran gets a Job! (2) Brittany goes and meets the neighbor! Bran is not liking it one bit! Bran is all worried about here sister. So now there mom has to meet every neighbor. (3) The neighbors name is Mrs. Study and she lets Brittany come in and let her have snacks and they talk about their families. ( WARNING: SOOOO NOT INTERESTING) And so brittany finds a job and does grocery shopping and earns money from that. (4) Mrs.Marcus is the wrong marcus. So they have been staying in the wrong house. So Brittney sorts it all out. (5) And so they stay at the neighbor's house, Mrs.Studys house. And then there mom got a degree. And the kids send letter to the real parents and say you should be proud of your daughter and it ends right there.
Theme: House on the Gulf. (1st example) When they got at the house everything was covered for some reason. (2nd example) Bran (or known as brandon) got a job at the seafood shack. While he’s doing that his mom is trying to graduate college. While Brittney gets a job for the old people and what she does is go get grocerys and medicine for the old people. (3rd example). Bran is getting really Pernod because Brittney always goes up to the neighbors and talk to them. And she would always cross streets. So the mom has to go and visit every neighbor and see if there “dangerous” or not.
What I do like about this book is that it ends all well. What I don't like about the book is how paranoid Brandon is. I like that Brittney meet Mrs.Stuldy and how nice Mrs.Stuldy. What I don't like that much is that the mom isn’t there a lot in tell the end. And what I do like is that they figure out who the mother’s parents are. Lastly, what will happen to them in the book will they get the house back or will they go live in there neighbors house forever. What will happen!
First of all, (1)the book starts off where they’re moving to the new house. They go on the beach have a lot of fun and bran gets a Job! (2) Brittany goes and meets the neighbor! Bran is not liking it one bit! Bran is all worried about here sister. So now there mom has to meet every neighbor. (3) The neighbors name is Mrs. Study and she lets Brittany come in and let her have snacks and they talk about their families. ( WARNING: SOOOO NOT INTERESTING) And so brittany finds a job and does grocery shopping and earns money from that. (4) Mrs.Marcus is the wrong marcus. So they have been staying in the wrong house. So Brittney sorts it all out. (5) And so they stay at the neighbor's house, Mrs.Studys house. And then there mom got a degree. And the kids send letter to the real parents and say you should be proud of your daughter and it ends right there.
Theme: House on the Gulf. (1st example) When they got at the house everything was covered for some reason. (2nd example) Bran (or known as brandon) got a job at the seafood shack. While he’s doing that his mom is trying to graduate college. While Brittney gets a job for the old people and what she does is go get grocerys and medicine for the old people. (3rd example). Bran is getting really Pernod because Brittney always goes up to the neighbors and talk to them. And she would always cross streets. So the mom has to go and visit every neighbor and see if there “dangerous” or not.
What I do like about this book is that it ends all well. What I don't like about the book is how paranoid Brandon is. I like that Brittney meet Mrs.Stuldy and how nice Mrs.Stuldy. What I don't like that much is that the mom isn’t there a lot in tell the end. And what I do like is that they figure out who the mother’s parents are. Lastly, what will happen to them in the book will they get the house back or will they go live in there neighbors house forever. What will happen!
February 13, 2025
Bought this at Half-Price Books in Columbus since I love Haddix's books and hadn't seen this one. The basic premise is OK: teenage boy Bren convinces hardworking mom that she can be a full time student for a summer since he has a great house-sitting job after a recent move to Florida. Younger sister thinks he's acting suspicious and eventually figures out that he is lying - he's just supposed to be cutting the lawn for some snowbirders... who he thinks are their estranged grandparents. Turns out he's got the wrong couple, which they discover when recently widowed woman returns home to put the house on the market.
Criminal charges plus homelessness are averted due to younger sister: she has been running errands for the neighborhood elderly, and their next door neighbor talks the returning widow off the cliff and invites the family to move in with her and husband for the short term - they have space, especially since younger sister Britt has unwittingly convinced neighbor to move all of her son's furniture into storage, 20 years into his prison term for murder during a bank robbery. This subplot was the most interesting to me: this friendly child in an otherwise fairly unfriendly neighborhood (although Mrs. Stuldy does know all her neighbors by name and errands needed!) helps this elderly woman move on from her pain to return to participating at the senior center. And she really needed the unofficial grandkids (and a young mom who really needs maternal support; the actual missing grandparents were total jerks who threw her out for getting married/pregnant too young, after mocking her med school dreams and being generally cruel, due to the loss of 2 sons). BEING NICE COUNTS. Simple but powerful message.
(Will likely add to book box - I won't read it again)
Criminal charges plus homelessness are averted due to younger sister: she has been running errands for the neighborhood elderly, and their next door neighbor talks the returning widow off the cliff and invites the family to move in with her and husband for the short term - they have space, especially since younger sister Britt has unwittingly convinced neighbor to move all of her son's furniture into storage, 20 years into his prison term for murder during a bank robbery. This subplot was the most interesting to me: this friendly child in an otherwise fairly unfriendly neighborhood (although Mrs. Stuldy does know all her neighbors by name and errands needed!) helps this elderly woman move on from her pain to return to participating at the senior center. And she really needed the unofficial grandkids (and a young mom who really needs maternal support; the actual missing grandparents were total jerks who threw her out for getting married/pregnant too young, after mocking her med school dreams and being generally cruel, due to the loss of 2 sons). BEING NICE COUNTS. Simple but powerful message.
(Will likely add to book box - I won't read it again)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 7, 2017
Wow. This book turned out quite different from what I expected. The ending was quite a surprise. I very much enjoyed this book.
Writing: 5/5
The writing of this book was good, and, as always, Margaret Peterson Haddix drew me in with her deep character voice. Really, her character voice is always as if it's in first person when it's not. As for the other aspects, it seemed fine to me. No typos that I noticed.
Setting: 5/5
This book was set in Florida in the modern times. It was in one of those beach communities where some people only stay for a certain time and there isn't much around. The setting was very well done.
Plot: 5/5
This was what blew me away. The plot was VERY well done, down to the unexpected twist in the middle. It was very intriguing. I couldn't put this book down because of the plot, though that happens with quite a few books. Margaret Peterson Haddix did a very good job on the plot of this book.
Characters: 5/5
Margaret Peterson Haddix always does a great job on her character development. This book was no exception. The characters were well-rounded, and Bran was especially well-done. I also liked Britt and her character arc, even though it was more off-screen than on-screen.
I say a hearty round of applause to Margaret Peterson Haddix for creating such a good book. I think anyone who likes reading would enjoy this book.
Writing: 5/5
The writing of this book was good, and, as always, Margaret Peterson Haddix drew me in with her deep character voice. Really, her character voice is always as if it's in first person when it's not. As for the other aspects, it seemed fine to me. No typos that I noticed.
Setting: 5/5
This book was set in Florida in the modern times. It was in one of those beach communities where some people only stay for a certain time and there isn't much around. The setting was very well done.
Plot: 5/5
This was what blew me away. The plot was VERY well done, down to the unexpected twist in the middle. It was very intriguing. I couldn't put this book down because of the plot, though that happens with quite a few books. Margaret Peterson Haddix did a very good job on the plot of this book.
Characters: 5/5
Margaret Peterson Haddix always does a great job on her character development. This book was no exception. The characters were well-rounded, and Bran was especially well-done. I also liked Britt and her character arc, even though it was more off-screen than on-screen.
I say a hearty round of applause to Margaret Peterson Haddix for creating such a good book. I think anyone who likes reading would enjoy this book.
March 21, 2019
Britt, her mother, and her older brother, Bran, house sit for a family called the Marquises who spend their winters in New York. Bran, who arranged for them to house sit, has always been the responsible one ever since their father left them, but now he seems secretive and suspicious. When Britt meets Mr. Marquis for the first time, Bran seems anxious and doesn't want to tell him that Britt is his sister. Britt becomes more suspicious after they move into the Marquis house and Bran insists that they keep the air conditioner set at over 80 degrees and that they pack up all of the Marquises' things until they leave at the end of the summer. What Britt finds when she starts investigating, completely changes everything she thinks she knows about her brother and her life.
This is a very good mystery that seems very predictable at the beginning of the story, but as Britt's investigation reveals more and more about what is really going on, it becomes clear that this is a much more complicated story than it seems on the surface. Overall, this is a good mystery that leads to a story about life changing events.
This is a very good mystery that seems very predictable at the beginning of the story, but as Britt's investigation reveals more and more about what is really going on, it becomes clear that this is a much more complicated story than it seems on the surface. Overall, this is a good mystery that leads to a story about life changing events.
June 18, 2021
When I first read The House on the Gulf, I was so engrossed in the characters and the mystery that I skipped recess twice to stay in and read it! At the time I thought it was a thoroughly enjoying mystery novel and it was one of my favorite books of all time.
I thought of it randomly and had the chance to read it again recently. Reading it now, I can see it definitely isn't as perfect as I remembered it, but even though the beginning was kind of slow, I still did like the characters and the way they were written, and the plots soon picked up quickly and didn't let up after that.
While I did like the ending, my main gripe is with the event/final reveal that led to the ending. I felt like it came out of nowhere, and there were no real clues from the previous chapters to explain this reveal. This was the one thing that sapped my excitement in the end and didn't leave me with a strong, satisfied feeling.
Despite this, I do think there is a pretty high "re-readability" factor for this book, and I would recommend it to late elementary and early middle school mystery lovers and Haddix fans.
I thought of it randomly and had the chance to read it again recently. Reading it now, I can see it definitely isn't as perfect as I remembered it, but even though the beginning was kind of slow, I still did like the characters and the way they were written, and the plots soon picked up quickly and didn't let up after that.
While I did like the ending, my main gripe is with the event/final reveal that led to the ending. I felt like it came out of nowhere, and there were no real clues from the previous chapters to explain this reveal. This was the one thing that sapped my excitement in the end and didn't leave me with a strong, satisfied feeling.
Despite this, I do think there is a pretty high "re-readability" factor for this book, and I would recommend it to late elementary and early middle school mystery lovers and Haddix fans.
April 26, 2019
I read the novel THE HOUSE ON THE GULF by Margaret Peterson Haddix. The setting of THE HOUSE ON THE GULF is in Florida. The main characters of this book are Britt, her brother Bran,and their mother. I found this book in the library and I love Margaret Peterson Haddix books so I thought it would be good and I was right.
THE HOUSE ON THE GULF starts off with the family moving to Florida because their mom has to finish college. So they are in Florida and Bran gets a job house sitting for an old couple for his mom to keep going to college and take full time classes instead of having a job and going to college at the same time. But while Britt and Bran are house sitting Bran starts acting weird. Like not letting Britt mess with anything and not getting to talk to anyone that lives around them. So Bran is obviously hiding something and Britt is trying to figure out what and finally does but I can’t give away the ending.
I chose this book because it looked good and it’s by my favorite author at the moment. I would definitely recommend.
THE HOUSE ON THE GULF starts off with the family moving to Florida because their mom has to finish college. So they are in Florida and Bran gets a job house sitting for an old couple for his mom to keep going to college and take full time classes instead of having a job and going to college at the same time. But while Britt and Bran are house sitting Bran starts acting weird. Like not letting Britt mess with anything and not getting to talk to anyone that lives around them. So Bran is obviously hiding something and Britt is trying to figure out what and finally does but I can’t give away the ending.
I chose this book because it looked good and it’s by my favorite author at the moment. I would definitely recommend.
November 14, 2018
In this novel, Britt is 12 years old. Her 16-year-old brother has gotten a house-sitting job for the summer which will allow him, Britt, and their mother to live, rent-free, for a few months so Britt's mom can attend summer classes at the local university.
But something's not quite right about the whole setup. Britt discovers cracks in her brother's story, and he's acting weird. The novel tells the story of how Britt figures out the truth.
As a character, Britt is a very sheltered 12-year-old. She believes that the truth will fix everything for her family and everyone will live happily ever after. She has clearly been protected and shielded by her brother and her mom.
Actually, her mom is just as full of fairy-tale dreamery as Britt, even though she tries to be realistic. She's all to quick to believe her son.
The story was pleasant and the characters were reasonably engaging, but this isn't a book that will captivate readers or remain long in their minds after it's over.
But something's not quite right about the whole setup. Britt discovers cracks in her brother's story, and he's acting weird. The novel tells the story of how Britt figures out the truth.
As a character, Britt is a very sheltered 12-year-old. She believes that the truth will fix everything for her family and everyone will live happily ever after. She has clearly been protected and shielded by her brother and her mom.
Actually, her mom is just as full of fairy-tale dreamery as Britt, even though she tries to be realistic. She's all to quick to believe her son.
The story was pleasant and the characters were reasonably engaging, but this isn't a book that will captivate readers or remain long in their minds after it's over.
November 2, 2023
Okay, can we say this book comes in the second rank after the entire Shadow Children series?
So, I was on a mission to read every one of MP Haddix's books, I read Just Ella , Leaving Fishers and others. I wasn't very pleased but I was still dedicated to the mission and took this book on my TBR. I finished it the very day.
I loved this book for many reasons, the way Britt and Bran's relationship was, the way their Mum really wanted to become a doctor, and the plot too. I loved this book also because I was looking at many books and left them all to DNF. I surely recommend this book.
So, I was on a mission to read every one of MP Haddix's books, I read Just Ella , Leaving Fishers and others. I wasn't very pleased but I was still dedicated to the mission and took this book on my TBR. I finished it the very day.
I loved this book for many reasons, the way Britt and Bran's relationship was, the way their Mum really wanted to become a doctor, and the plot too. I loved this book also because I was looking at many books and left them all to DNF. I surely recommend this book.
July 23, 2020
The important thing to remember is that this book is for ages 8-12, not adult. That said, I really enjoyed it, and I'm nowhere near that young. While it was predicable to me as an older reader, Ms. Haddix still had many different paths she could have taken to get to the end, and her path was refreshing. It wasn't syrupy or too good to be true. Britt acted mostly like a normal 12 year old, although, she was a little more mature at times than I expected from her background of relying on Bran. What Bran did wasn't realistic per say, but that's not necessarily what any kid wants to read. I really appreciated Mrs. Stuldy's character and her Christian influence, even her feeling like a hypocrite about her son. She was my favorite. In short, I recommend The House on the Gulf for any reader who enjoys a quirky little mystery about family, loyalty, and making mistakes.
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December 15, 2016WARNING: this book review contains many spoilers that are necessary to explaining the book
The House on the Gulf was a thrilling yet somewhat disappointing book. This story is about Bran and Britt Lassiter who are living in Florida with their mom. Bran has been mowing the lawn for a couple in a different area of Florida and Bran decides to house-sit for the Marquises while they spend the summer in New York. When the Lassiters move into the Marquis’s house, Bran begins to pack a lot of their stuff away and acts very strange; he tells the rest of his family they aren't allowed to use the washer and dryer and they can’t even use the air conditioning; he says,“I just kind of promised them we wouldn’t use a lot of electricity” (Haddix 75). Bran also has a lock on his closet and doesn't let anyone else go in the shed. While Bran is gone at work during the day and Mom is at school trying to get a scholarship to become a doctor, Britt meets some of the neighbors and begins doing errands for them. She also spends time exploring the house and eventually reveals huge secrets about the house they're staying in that completely changes her summer. Britt is the narrator of the story and the main character. It was hard for me to identify with Britt. She is a twelve year old girl living in a hard family situation. These aspects of her character find it hard for me to relate to. I also don't have an older sibling like she does; most of her struggles come from trying to figure out Bran but I do not struggle with this so I cannot relate there either. Overall the characters and story line seemed to be far from possible. Although a situation like this could happen, it seems very impossible that someone could get away with living in someone's house without them knowing for the whole summer. Which brings us to the main conflict and Britt’s biggest struggle in the book. Britt feels that Bran is acting very weird about the house they are staying in. But then Britt finds out the truth. She discovers that the house they are staying at is her Mom’s parents (or so she thought), the Marcus’s. Bran was never actually hired to house sit either; the Marcus’s don’t know they are there. One day while Bran was mowing the lawn, he discovered a spare key to the house that he made copies of. Sense Mom’s parents were so terrible to her as a child, Bran didn’t feel as bad staying in the house. Living in this house over the summer would also allow Mom to work towards a scholarship to become a doctor, which the family needed very much sense the kids’ parents were divorced and they did not have a lot of income. Once she finds out his secrets, she is torn on how to handle them and who she should tell. She also has different opinions than Bran on these issues but she cannot get him to agree with her. The resolution to this conflict was not a very thorough one. When Mrs. Marcus comes home to the house during the summer unexpectedly, she threatens to call the police and Britt goes to get Bran from work. Bran explains everything to Mom and Mom tells them that they found the wrong Marcus’s, they weren't actually her parents. Now that Mrs. Marcus is kicking them out of her house, the Lassiters need a place to go so Mrs. Studly takes them in to live with her for the summer. Then Mom gets a letter that she has not received the scholarship but that they can offer a different one. However Mom doesn't feel good about taking the scholarship now that she finds out everything Bran lied about. This ending does not present a full resolution to the conflict. Britt also writes letters to her relatives at the end of the story that she has never met but we never find out how they reply. Other main characters in the book included Bran, Britt’s brother, their mom, and Mrs. Studly, their neighbor whom Britt met through looking for a babysitting job. I felt that these characters didn't really develop throughout the story. Britt always talked about how Bran wasn't being his normal self but we never really see his normal attitude throughout the whole book...he is constantly strict and worried. Britt’s personality never really changes either.
Overall here isn't a large amount of challenging vocabulary. I knew almost all the words. However the author describes parts of the story well, for example she gives a good description of the Marquis’s house at the beginning; “The yellow stucco seemed to gleam in the sunlight, and the palm fronds swayed gently against the windowpanes” (Haddix 20). There were some aspects of the book I was disappointed with. I don't like how the author made the first half of the book very flat and then put all the plot twists at the end. So many climaxes happened one right after another and the story kept completely changing. I also feel like the resolution was rushed and a lot was not summed up. The whole first half of the book was spent building up suspicion about the weird way Bran was acting with all the weird things he was doing. Then the second half of the book all of Bran’s secrets and the truth came out at once and felt rushed. Then all the sudden Mrs. Marcus came home and the resolution was almost like the author was just trying to find a way to end the book. Even though I did not like the writing style, I was not expecting the plot twists and the book overall was suspicious. I would recommend this book to others but you have to be persevere through the first half of the book. The first half has very little events and is somewhat boring. I didn't feel like I was constantly page turning until the second half once the author reveals the truth about the house the Lassiters are staying at. I hope this book review was helpful, happy reading!
The House on the Gulf was a thrilling yet somewhat disappointing book. This story is about Bran and Britt Lassiter who are living in Florida with their mom. Bran has been mowing the lawn for a couple in a different area of Florida and Bran decides to house-sit for the Marquises while they spend the summer in New York. When the Lassiters move into the Marquis’s house, Bran begins to pack a lot of their stuff away and acts very strange; he tells the rest of his family they aren't allowed to use the washer and dryer and they can’t even use the air conditioning; he says,“I just kind of promised them we wouldn’t use a lot of electricity” (Haddix 75). Bran also has a lock on his closet and doesn't let anyone else go in the shed. While Bran is gone at work during the day and Mom is at school trying to get a scholarship to become a doctor, Britt meets some of the neighbors and begins doing errands for them. She also spends time exploring the house and eventually reveals huge secrets about the house they're staying in that completely changes her summer. Britt is the narrator of the story and the main character. It was hard for me to identify with Britt. She is a twelve year old girl living in a hard family situation. These aspects of her character find it hard for me to relate to. I also don't have an older sibling like she does; most of her struggles come from trying to figure out Bran but I do not struggle with this so I cannot relate there either. Overall the characters and story line seemed to be far from possible. Although a situation like this could happen, it seems very impossible that someone could get away with living in someone's house without them knowing for the whole summer. Which brings us to the main conflict and Britt’s biggest struggle in the book. Britt feels that Bran is acting very weird about the house they are staying in. But then Britt finds out the truth. She discovers that the house they are staying at is her Mom’s parents (or so she thought), the Marcus’s. Bran was never actually hired to house sit either; the Marcus’s don’t know they are there. One day while Bran was mowing the lawn, he discovered a spare key to the house that he made copies of. Sense Mom’s parents were so terrible to her as a child, Bran didn’t feel as bad staying in the house. Living in this house over the summer would also allow Mom to work towards a scholarship to become a doctor, which the family needed very much sense the kids’ parents were divorced and they did not have a lot of income. Once she finds out his secrets, she is torn on how to handle them and who she should tell. She also has different opinions than Bran on these issues but she cannot get him to agree with her. The resolution to this conflict was not a very thorough one. When Mrs. Marcus comes home to the house during the summer unexpectedly, she threatens to call the police and Britt goes to get Bran from work. Bran explains everything to Mom and Mom tells them that they found the wrong Marcus’s, they weren't actually her parents. Now that Mrs. Marcus is kicking them out of her house, the Lassiters need a place to go so Mrs. Studly takes them in to live with her for the summer. Then Mom gets a letter that she has not received the scholarship but that they can offer a different one. However Mom doesn't feel good about taking the scholarship now that she finds out everything Bran lied about. This ending does not present a full resolution to the conflict. Britt also writes letters to her relatives at the end of the story that she has never met but we never find out how they reply. Other main characters in the book included Bran, Britt’s brother, their mom, and Mrs. Studly, their neighbor whom Britt met through looking for a babysitting job. I felt that these characters didn't really develop throughout the story. Britt always talked about how Bran wasn't being his normal self but we never really see his normal attitude throughout the whole book...he is constantly strict and worried. Britt’s personality never really changes either.
Overall here isn't a large amount of challenging vocabulary. I knew almost all the words. However the author describes parts of the story well, for example she gives a good description of the Marquis’s house at the beginning; “The yellow stucco seemed to gleam in the sunlight, and the palm fronds swayed gently against the windowpanes” (Haddix 20). There were some aspects of the book I was disappointed with. I don't like how the author made the first half of the book very flat and then put all the plot twists at the end. So many climaxes happened one right after another and the story kept completely changing. I also feel like the resolution was rushed and a lot was not summed up. The whole first half of the book was spent building up suspicion about the weird way Bran was acting with all the weird things he was doing. Then the second half of the book all of Bran’s secrets and the truth came out at once and felt rushed. Then all the sudden Mrs. Marcus came home and the resolution was almost like the author was just trying to find a way to end the book. Even though I did not like the writing style, I was not expecting the plot twists and the book overall was suspicious. I would recommend this book to others but you have to be persevere through the first half of the book. The first half has very little events and is somewhat boring. I didn't feel like I was constantly page turning until the second half once the author reveals the truth about the house the Lassiters are staying at. I hope this book review was helpful, happy reading!
April 2, 2020
Every bit as good as I've come to expect from this wonderful author. A wonderful mystery told by Brit, aged 12. Her 16-year-old brother, Bran, has gotten a house-sitting job for the summer, so that he and Britt and their mother can not only have a decent place to live, but can live rent free to their mother can finish some college courses, and, hopefully, qualify for a scholarship to become a doctor. But, from the very beginning, Britt knows something's very wrong with the situation. Great book!
July 29, 2023
We have Mom I believe she’s in her 30s, Bran 16, and Britt 12…maybe 13. They live in a rough neighborhood in Florida, but Bran got a house sitter job from a Mr. Marquis while they visit their family in New York, so they all excitedly move into this new home for a while…until Britt starts noticing Bran’s weird behavior such as getting rid of the Marquis’ silverware, and pictures in which he packs up and tells Britt he doesn’t want anything damaged while they house sit but that’s just the beginning.
This was a good short thrilling book with so many twists and turns.
This was a good short thrilling book with so many twists and turns.
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