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The Endsister
I know what an endsister is, ' says Sibbi again.We are endsisters, Else thinks, Sibbi and I. Bookends, oldest and youngest, with the three boys sandwiched in between.Meet the Outhwaite children. There's teenage Else, the violinist who abandons her violin. There's nature-loving Clancy. There's the inseparable twins, Oscar-and-Finn, Finn-and-Oscar. And then there is Sibbi, the baby of the family. They all live contentedly squabbling in a cottage surrounded by trees and possums...until a letter arrives to say they have inherited the old family home in London. Outhwaite House is full of old shadows and new possibilities. The boys quickly find their feet in London, and Else is hoping to reinvent herself. But Sibbi is misbehaving, growing thinner and paler by the day, and she won't stop talking about the mysterious endsister. Meanwhile Almost Annie and Hardly Alice, the resident ghosts, are tied to the house for reasons they have long forgotten, watching the world around them change, but never leaving.The one thing they all agree on - the living and the dead - is never, ever to open the attic door..
348 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2018
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208 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 29, 2018
I loved, loved, loved this. Not sure how Penni Russon managed to cram just about everything I adore into the one book, but I'm very glad she did! I have to admit I started to get a little worried three quarters of the way through that things were getting a bit bleak for my newfound friends, but it made for an even sweeter ending, so I needn't have been worried at all.
December 10, 2017
That was entirely and completely charming and lovely. A strong family story with a ghostly mystery.
May 9, 2018
Well this was amazing!
A large Australian rural family is uprooted when they inherit an old house in London. The setup for the ghost story sounds cliche, but this story is fresh and I found it astonishingly affecting (I was weeping by page 170, which rarely happens). The story is told in multiple points of view - most of the children, plus at least one of the adults - but manages to feel coherent nonetheless. Russon's insight into the emotional life of young children is amazing and I will be remembering Sibbi for quite some time.
A large Australian rural family is uprooted when they inherit an old house in London. The setup for the ghost story sounds cliche, but this story is fresh and I found it astonishingly affecting (I was weeping by page 170, which rarely happens). The story is told in multiple points of view - most of the children, plus at least one of the adults - but manages to feel coherent nonetheless. Russon's insight into the emotional life of young children is amazing and I will be remembering Sibbi for quite some time.
September 4, 2021
I love everything about this book. I can't really explain it in a way that makes total sense, but for some reason, while I was reading it I felt understood? A sense of belonging? Like I was at home and yet very far away all at once? Definitely a comforting read for me, and no doubt one I will turn back to again and again.
p.s.I loved all the characters in this book. Sibbi in particular was interesting for me; like I was getting direct insight into one of those kids who wails on the floor of a Westfields shopping centre (but in the best way). Else's character hit very close to home too (for some reason) and I felt like I could heavily relate to inner turmoil in a way that was both jarringly familiar yet comforting nevertheless.
p.s.I loved all the characters in this book. Sibbi in particular was interesting for me; like I was getting direct insight into one of those kids who wails on the floor of a Westfields shopping centre (but in the best way). Else's character hit very close to home too (for some reason) and I felt like I could heavily relate to inner turmoil in a way that was both jarringly familiar yet comforting nevertheless.
November 15, 2021
I enjoyed this book but it didn't work very well as a read-aloud to a class as every chapter was told by a different narrator and the chopping and changing of the narrative interrupted the flow quite badly. It is a touching story about an Australian family that inherit an old house in London and I most enjoyed the themes about homesickness, belonging and trying to fit in. It is also a ghost story which was touching, maybe a bit frightening for some of the children and also a little irritating.
February 6, 2018
My preferences are frequently character-driven and that is why this book gets a fairly high rating from me - I found the characters interesting. I am not so much interested in the ghostly elements and, in fact, found the two ghosts rather confusing at times. But the family was definitely interesting. If there is a sequel, I would read it.
April 3, 2018
This is a beautifully written book which is ideal for higher middle grade. I read it before considering it for my 11 year old son, however I think the supernatural concepts wouldn't appeal to him.
April 10, 2018
Words flow like silken cream from Russon's pen in this captivating tale of ghosts, family disintegration and returning to ones roots. Told in alternating points of view from each family member and a couple of resident ghosts, this story pulls readers from the gumtree-clad hills of Australia to the history-rich, leafy suburbs of inner London with mysterious charm and grace.
Instead of flourishing in their new home, the Outhwaite family each experience subtle emotional and physical corruption after moving from Australia to a recently inherited property in London. None can explain this general malaise, each battling the change in various ways. Only four-year-old Sibbi seems to have any indication of what is going on in Outhwaite House and why, however she struggles to make the adults understand about her encounters with the Endsister.
This is a truly spellbinding read that unites past and present, cynics and eidolists (people who believe in ghosts). It's a beautiful introspective look at family bonds and dynamics exploring the feelings and reactions of family members of varying ages. It's a tender glimpse at holding on, letting go and essentially taking a leap of faith far enough to believe in yourself.
It is a magical encounter of realisations and ultimately acknowledgement the ancestral tapestries that form our life stories. Leave it conspicuously on your tween's bookshelf for them to experience, soon.
Instead of flourishing in their new home, the Outhwaite family each experience subtle emotional and physical corruption after moving from Australia to a recently inherited property in London. None can explain this general malaise, each battling the change in various ways. Only four-year-old Sibbi seems to have any indication of what is going on in Outhwaite House and why, however she struggles to make the adults understand about her encounters with the Endsister.
This is a truly spellbinding read that unites past and present, cynics and eidolists (people who believe in ghosts). It's a beautiful introspective look at family bonds and dynamics exploring the feelings and reactions of family members of varying ages. It's a tender glimpse at holding on, letting go and essentially taking a leap of faith far enough to believe in yourself.
It is a magical encounter of realisations and ultimately acknowledgement the ancestral tapestries that form our life stories. Leave it conspicuously on your tween's bookshelf for them to experience, soon.
March 9, 2018
This novel is utterly charming, and equally unnerving. Penni Russon's writing is deft, with a light touch. That is not to say it it lightweight, rather it is lyrical and beautiful to read. In the very first paragraph, where we meet four-year-old Sibbi, this lilt of language is to the fore:
The reader is immediately transported; they can picture the golden, oozy quality of the sunlight with the gum trees casting long shadows, and know they are in rural Australia. The landscape is very important in this story - firstly in Australia and later, when the family moves, in England. It is closely tied to the family, their fortunes and their feelings.
When the struggling Outhwaite family inherit a large, old, creepy house in London, they move - some of them reluctantly - to take possession of it, looking for a new life and a new home. What they don't know is that the house contains something sad and angry. Something kept secret for years, and little Sibbi seems to know what it is. Resident ghosts Almost Annie and Hardly Alice observe the family and occasionally interact with them, worrying from the sidelines if they will be safe from whatever is in the locked attic room.
We see the action in this novel through the eyes of several family members: Sibbi, who is lost and sad; Else, who is trying to find out exactly who she is; Clancy, who loves nature wherever he is, and makes an unexpected connection with the fabulous Pippa; and the ethereal Almost Annie and Hardly Alice, who have been with the house a long time. We also see Mr and Mrs Outhwaite failing to cope with change, particularly Mrs Outhwaite, and the drain this imposes on the rest of the family, especially Sibbi and the twins Oscar and Finn, who are often afterthoughts in family life.
This book deals with real emotions and dilemmas in a situation that becomes increasingly ominous, as Sibbi keeps repeating "I know what an endsister is", and starts to fade away before her family's eyes. No more details, because I don't do spoilers, but this book has a great story arc, with a slow build and a deeply satisfying conclusion. I loved it - you will too.
For ages 12 and up.
Shadows of gum trees grow long across the paddocks. Light is low and syrupy. The light of time shifting: day into evening, summer into autumn.
The reader is immediately transported; they can picture the golden, oozy quality of the sunlight with the gum trees casting long shadows, and know they are in rural Australia. The landscape is very important in this story - firstly in Australia and later, when the family moves, in England. It is closely tied to the family, their fortunes and their feelings.
When the struggling Outhwaite family inherit a large, old, creepy house in London, they move - some of them reluctantly - to take possession of it, looking for a new life and a new home. What they don't know is that the house contains something sad and angry. Something kept secret for years, and little Sibbi seems to know what it is. Resident ghosts Almost Annie and Hardly Alice observe the family and occasionally interact with them, worrying from the sidelines if they will be safe from whatever is in the locked attic room.
We see the action in this novel through the eyes of several family members: Sibbi, who is lost and sad; Else, who is trying to find out exactly who she is; Clancy, who loves nature wherever he is, and makes an unexpected connection with the fabulous Pippa; and the ethereal Almost Annie and Hardly Alice, who have been with the house a long time. We also see Mr and Mrs Outhwaite failing to cope with change, particularly Mrs Outhwaite, and the drain this imposes on the rest of the family, especially Sibbi and the twins Oscar and Finn, who are often afterthoughts in family life.
This book deals with real emotions and dilemmas in a situation that becomes increasingly ominous, as Sibbi keeps repeating "I know what an endsister is", and starts to fade away before her family's eyes. No more details, because I don't do spoilers, but this book has a great story arc, with a slow build and a deeply satisfying conclusion. I loved it - you will too.
For ages 12 and up.
November 18, 2025
Finished: 06.11.2019
Genre: children's fiction
Rating: B+
Author: Penni Russon (1974)
Title: The Endsister
Reading time: 5 hr 30 min
Published: 2018
Trivia: 2018 Winner Aurealis Award Best children’s fiction
Conclusion:
It is difficult for me to review children's literature.
I have to look at the book from the child's POV!
The narrative at first glance can be read in a few hours.
But I decided to read slowly, deeper and try to
discover WHY this book was awarded
Aurealis Award Best children’s fiction 2018.
There were weak points...and strong points
because we all read a book in our own personal way.
This simple children's book...was a challenge in
more ways than one.
I had to reminded myself that it is NOT written to
please an adult reader (me)...but for children.
I had to go back many years and place myself in
a childhood bubble!
#WorthYourReadingTIme
Last Thoughts:
This book surprised me!
Well-constructed,
characters with clear foil to highlight differences, e
motion controlled...
spookiness suggested.
Great reading for young children and adults!
March 9, 2018
Stunning book by Penni Russon about family, belonging, memory and connection to place and time. Her writing is breathtaking and I cannot believe how accurately she has captured the chaotic and confusing world of a 4yo! Sibbi could be my Ellie. The paranormal aspect is present and I would have loved a bit more about this- who are Hardly Alice and Almost Annie really? I wasn’t sure about the authenticity of Bridget Lane- she seemed a bit more of a caricature however, I actually feel like this is a book I could read again. Highly recommend.
June 9, 2018
It has been a while since I have felt the need to proselytise over a book. Penni Russon's The Endsister is absolutely wonderful! Big families, Australian landscape, London houses, ghosts and just a sense of knowing your place in the world. Children's fiction at its best. 😍💗
March 2, 2018
A lovely book for ages 8-14 . Penni's writing style is refreshingly lovely and it's more about belonging than ghosts really.
June 10, 2018
As an adult you think you have it all figured out about where you belong. Then, reading a YA book about belonging, home and identity, you realise children have a better idea than you do.
Penni's YA novel straddles the two worlds of the Australian bush and suburban London and helps point the compass for where home is, and wants to be. Shifting between perspectives of teenage Else, 4-year old Sibbi, adolescent Clancy and the mysterious Almost Annie and Hardly Alice it weaves a tapestry of how different people see their environment and how tangled up we each are in the lives and loves of others, and how it affects us all.
I think this is a great YA book, particularly those who are experiencing a period of transition in their lives.
Penni's YA novel straddles the two worlds of the Australian bush and suburban London and helps point the compass for where home is, and wants to be. Shifting between perspectives of teenage Else, 4-year old Sibbi, adolescent Clancy and the mysterious Almost Annie and Hardly Alice it weaves a tapestry of how different people see their environment and how tangled up we each are in the lives and loves of others, and how it affects us all.
I think this is a great YA book, particularly those who are experiencing a period of transition in their lives.
April 28, 2018
Highly enjoyable - the characters, as others have mentioned, were very well written and I could follow each of their thinking. I don't think there was a weak character, although Sibbi was definitely the standout. The plot didn't excite me too much, I thought that Else's story was left hanging (what happened to her new friends?) and a couple of editing errors in the book pulled me out of the story.
January 20, 2021
I loved getting to know this family, discovering their hopes, fears and dreams. There is great descriptions of life in country Australia then contrasted with life in bustling grey London. The ghost side of the story was at times a worrying presence but one that was eventually resolved to a happy ending. Would kids enjoy it? I think they couldn’t help but get drawn in to the Outhwaite’s world - and lessons learned would make the journey worthwhile.
July 21, 2018
I’m going to have to read the rest of Ms Russon’s writing now - I enjoyed this one immensely. It had a “seven little Australians” vibe at the start, which would have been enough to earn five stars from me, but the whole story of how they ended up in a soul destroying haunted house in London was captivating. I truly love this book.
Recommended for 12 - 16 year olds especially, because the teenage characters in it are just beginning to realise that their parents are people too.
Recommended for 12 - 16 year olds especially, because the teenage characters in it are just beginning to realise that their parents are people too.
June 17, 2019
A family from Australia inherit a house in London. The story of their move , their new life and how it effects them and the ghosts that inhabit the house are told with simplicity that doesn't account for its charm. Every couple of pages is told from the perception of one of the family, father, mother, 5 children and the two ghosts. Charming book.
November 16, 2022
had to read it for school and it was really boring... i didn't want to finish it butttt school made me so here we are i guess
the plot was confusing and the whole 'endsister' thing was really overused. i don't want to sound really rude but like i didn't enjoy reading it at all and honestly made me really confused.
the plot was confusing and the whole 'endsister' thing was really overused. i don't want to sound really rude but like i didn't enjoy reading it at all and honestly made me really confused.
February 2, 2018
3.5* A lovely family story with a mysterious, ghostly element. If you’ve ever lived in another country and had yearnings for home, the many mixed feelings of the Outhwaite family will resonate with you.
February 10, 2018
I would like to give this beautiful novel 10 stars. What a special, sincere & affectionate portrayal of a family with all its quirks and fears and love.
Penni Russon thank you & congratulations, I love it so.
Penni Russon thank you & congratulations, I love it so.
August 25, 2018
This is a great book for those 9-14. Lovely and lyrical, thoughtful and entertaining. It would make a great BBC/ABC miniseries because the dual settings are so wonderously photogenic and the climax so very filmic, and they should get right on it now!
July 6, 2020
This is such a beautiful book. I love everything written by Penni Russon, but this one is particularly special. She gets right into the heart of family. These characters will stay with me for a very long time.
January 26, 2018
3.5 stars. Review to come.
February 3, 2018
Thanks for the Outhwaite kids Penni. I love them.
February 10, 2018
Phenomenally beautiful ❤️
December 7, 2018
(Review to come)
March 29, 2019
A lovely story about a quirky yet realistic family. Year 6 and above.
November 19, 2019
Cute little YA fiction. Not going to change the world but my kids will enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews