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The House That Wasn't There
" In this luminous story full of mystery and magic, Elana K. Arnold weaves a shimmering tapestry about the lovely and surprising ways we’re connected to each other. Heart-healing, hopeful, and wonderfully inventive, this beautiful novel by a master storyteller is not to be missed." —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan Alder has always lived in his cozy little house in Southern California. And for as long as he can remember, the old, reliable, comforting walnut tree has stood between his house and the one next door. That is, until a new family—with a particularly annoying girl his age—moves into the neighboring house and, without warning, cuts it down.
Oak doesn’t understand why her family had to move to Southern California. She has to attend a new school, find new friends, and live in a new house that isn’t even ready—her mother had to cut down a tree on their property line in order to make room for a second floor. And now a strange boy next door won’t stop staring at her, like she did something wrong moving here in the first place. As Oak and Alder start school together, they can’t imagine ever becoming friends. But the two of them soon discover a series of connections between them—mysterious, possibly even magical puzzles they can’t put together. At least not without each other’s help. Award-winning author Elana K. Arnold returns with an unforgettable story of the strange, wondrous threads that run between all of us, whether we know they’re there or not.
Oak doesn’t understand why her family had to move to Southern California. She has to attend a new school, find new friends, and live in a new house that isn’t even ready—her mother had to cut down a tree on their property line in order to make room for a second floor. And now a strange boy next door won’t stop staring at her, like she did something wrong moving here in the first place. As Oak and Alder start school together, they can’t imagine ever becoming friends. But the two of them soon discover a series of connections between them—mysterious, possibly even magical puzzles they can’t put together. At least not without each other’s help. Award-winning author Elana K. Arnold returns with an unforgettable story of the strange, wondrous threads that run between all of us, whether we know they’re there or not.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 30, 2021
55 people are currently reading
7697 people want to read
About the author
Elana K. Arnold
42 books1,078 followersELANA K. ARNOLD writes books for and about children and teens. She holds a master’s degree in Creative Writing/Fiction from the University of California, Davis where she has taught Creative Writing and Adolescent Literature. Her most recent YA novel, DAMSEL, is a Printz Honor book, Her 2017 novel, WHAT GIRLS ARE MADE OF, was a finalist for the National Book Award, and her middle grade novel, A BOY CALLED BAT, is a Junior Library Guild Selection. A parent and educator living in Huntington Beach, California, Elana is a frequent speaker at schools, libraries, and writers’ conferences. Currently, Elana is the caretaker of seven pets, only three of which have fur. Sign up for her newsletter here: https://elanakarnold.us10.list-manage...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
March 18, 2021
The cover is outstanding depicting Oak and Alder, their kittens, and the walnut tree stump in between. While reading this book there were many things I loved about it: 1) Oak and Alder's friendship and how they both learned from each other. 2) Alder knits! 3) The song lyrics to the songs Alder's dad recorded. 4) That they decide to use a DNA kit as part of their school project. 5) There's a girl in the book named Darla! The magical realism surrounding Mort (ha ha) the possum was promising, but really didn't go anywhere. Then there was the book on Feline Teleportation. Too much of that book. I did love all the connections between the two houses and the mystery of that #13 house, but the book and Mort just never all came together along with the rest of the book. Still an enjoyable read, maybe just in need of a bit more editing?
Thank you to Walden Pond Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Walden Pond Press and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for an e-arc of this book. Please read this beautiful, beautiful middle grade novel about love and magic and loss and friendship and connection. I loved Oak and Alder and the way they each have to navigate their own struggles but then come together to connect on an other-worldly plane and in this real life. Having just finished reading it, I’m still in awe of how beautiful this story is.
May 12, 2021
This middle school book was a fun read with a little magical realism thrown in for good measure. I felt the new student, Oak, made friends very easily and Alder, her neighbor enjoyed her company. I did think it was rather unusual when Alder told others that he liked to knit that everyone even the boys embraced his hobby. The ending saved the book for me.
June 12, 2022
A friendship story .
When Oak and her mother move next door to Alder and his mom, they can't stand each other. Through a series of coincidences they bond (unknowingly adopting cats who are siblings, being paired for a school project, etc). Both discover a friend in each other.
Give this ones to fans of stories like The Secret Tree, Wishtree, stories with magical realism.
When Oak and her mother move next door to Alder and his mom, they can't stand each other. Through a series of coincidences they bond (unknowingly adopting cats who are siblings, being paired for a school project, etc). Both discover a friend in each other.
Give this ones to fans of stories like The Secret Tree, Wishtree, stories with magical realism.
January 10, 2023
An utterly delightful book about Alder, a slightly awkward, shy 11-year-old, whose world is flipped upside down by the arrival of a new neighbor, a spunky, energetic girl named Oak. Themes of family, loss, and the strange and wonderful connections that bind humans together, intermingle with a little magic and intrigue to deliver a tale that feels bright and relatable and fanciful. I would’ve loved this book as a kid; I certainly love it as an adult.
January 20, 2022
I seriously considered giving this book two stars It's a good typical elementary school age novel the author found it necessary to throw in a bit of fantasy involving a taxidermied mole coming to life in what I guess is supposed to be another dimension--hence the title. It's really distracting and totally unnecessary. This book only kept its third star because it features two kittens instead of puppies, and I'm a cat person!
April 26, 2021
I tried really hard to get into it and just couldn’t.
December 21, 2022
I thought this was a sweet little read about a boy and his new next-door neighbor, a girl who, for a reason you don’t find out about until the last pages, changes his mom’s demeanor upon meeting. I really thought I would love this, but I feel like it would almost be a better book for adults than kids. It’s a book about fitting in, losing friends and gaining new ones.
There is a strange chapter about teleporting cats that would get kids’ interest though (the two neighbors adopt cats that are related and there is this sci fi element).
“But the discovery of Feline Teleportation, the book’s disappearance and reappearance, the strange experience of visiting Mort, and even the unexpected friendship with Alder, a boy she’d thought she hated, were causing her to reexamine everything she’d thought she knew.
What other secrets did the universe hold? If cats could portal hop and enemies could become friends, what else might be possible?” Chapter 24
“It was weird, Alder thought, that he could both want to do something and not want to do something at exactly the same time, the way he both wanted to and didn’t want to sit next to his mom. There must be a word for that,…” chapter 5
“Alder wanted to tell her that there was a big difference between saying she was sorry for “what happened” to his hands and being sorry that she shoved him. Saying she was sorry for what happened didn’t really mean anything. It was like him falling down had nothing to do with Oak. Like it was something that just happened instead of something that she made happen.” Ch 7
“But before he even looked at his notes, he found himself immediately distracted by that phrase . . . the least he could do. It was a funny thing to aim for, wasn’t it? The least that someone could do? Why not aim for the most that someone could do? Or, maybe, the middle amount?
Alder had always liked language and words. Maybe it was something he’d gotten from his dad. Writing songs, after all, is about playing with words and the ways they fit together, with meaning and rhythm and rhyme.” Ch 17
“It’s a strange thing, love. It’s magic. It’s a house you can’t see, a third place between two people. It’s enormous, but it can also fit inside the smallest pocket. Once you build it, love is there, even if you turn your back on it, even if you walk away. It’s waiting for you to come home.” Epilogue
There is a strange chapter about teleporting cats that would get kids’ interest though (the two neighbors adopt cats that are related and there is this sci fi element).
“But the discovery of Feline Teleportation, the book’s disappearance and reappearance, the strange experience of visiting Mort, and even the unexpected friendship with Alder, a boy she’d thought she hated, were causing her to reexamine everything she’d thought she knew.
What other secrets did the universe hold? If cats could portal hop and enemies could become friends, what else might be possible?” Chapter 24
“It was weird, Alder thought, that he could both want to do something and not want to do something at exactly the same time, the way he both wanted to and didn’t want to sit next to his mom. There must be a word for that,…” chapter 5
“Alder wanted to tell her that there was a big difference between saying she was sorry for “what happened” to his hands and being sorry that she shoved him. Saying she was sorry for what happened didn’t really mean anything. It was like him falling down had nothing to do with Oak. Like it was something that just happened instead of something that she made happen.” Ch 7
“But before he even looked at his notes, he found himself immediately distracted by that phrase . . . the least he could do. It was a funny thing to aim for, wasn’t it? The least that someone could do? Why not aim for the most that someone could do? Or, maybe, the middle amount?
Alder had always liked language and words. Maybe it was something he’d gotten from his dad. Writing songs, after all, is about playing with words and the ways they fit together, with meaning and rhythm and rhyme.” Ch 17
“It’s a strange thing, love. It’s magic. It’s a house you can’t see, a third place between two people. It’s enormous, but it can also fit inside the smallest pocket. Once you build it, love is there, even if you turn your back on it, even if you walk away. It’s waiting for you to come home.” Epilogue
December 19, 2025
To quote a famous detective, "It makes no [dang] sense. Compels me, though."
The level of coincidences in this book got to be unbelievable, and it felt a little bit like a collection of random ideas. I did enjoy everything with the cats, and the end was sweet. I spent a lot of time angry with Oak's mom, but I'll begrudgingly say there was some redemption there. Also, everything that was a conflict in this book felt solved way too easily.
Why was Mort a thing, though?
CW: grief and loss.
The level of coincidences in this book got to be unbelievable, and it felt a little bit like a collection of random ideas. I did enjoy everything with the cats, and the end was sweet. I spent a lot of time angry with Oak's mom, but I'll begrudgingly say there was some redemption there. Also, everything that was a conflict in this book felt solved way too easily.
Why was Mort a thing, though?
CW: grief and loss.
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May 23, 2021its a really interesting and good book that you need to read.
March 8, 2022
At the end, nothing is as it seemed at the beginning
You might call this the book of impossible coincidences. If you like stories that surprise you, you will enjoy this one. Sometimes when you think you may have guessed what is happening, it changes again.
All in all a very positive story. Well constructed, easy to read, continuously developing plot.
You might call this the book of impossible coincidences. If you like stories that surprise you, you will enjoy this one. Sometimes when you think you may have guessed what is happening, it changes again.
All in all a very positive story. Well constructed, easy to read, continuously developing plot.
May 26, 2021
Listened to the audiobook
Content warning: Deceased parent
In this charming and heart-warming novel, Alder sees that the walnut tree between his house and his neighbor’s had been cut down. A new girl, Oak, moves right next door and the two are off to a rocky start. But due to school projects and adopting kitten siblings, I found it really sweet from start to finish and a brilliant use of literary devices to make an exceptionally satisfying resolution.
During the fall, I had taken Arnold’s Revision Season class and I feel like a lot of the concepts were on display here. The pieces of this story’s puzzle and its mystery fit so perfectly together, allowing the reader to fall to the rhythm and charm from start to finish. Great care was taken to make sure that motifs fit and that concepts were repeated, but not so much in a way that seemed repetitive. Really effective, really tight writing to be found here.
I greatly appreciated the range of children’s experiences and emotions present throughout the book. It was really great to see them disagree with their parents and have that interaction be honest and respectful. The fact that is mirrored among the children also added a necessary cohesion to the prose’s evolution as the we learned more and more about the goings on around.
Overall, really quick listen with a satisfying mystery to boot.
Content warning: Deceased parent
In this charming and heart-warming novel, Alder sees that the walnut tree between his house and his neighbor’s had been cut down. A new girl, Oak, moves right next door and the two are off to a rocky start. But due to school projects and adopting kitten siblings, I found it really sweet from start to finish and a brilliant use of literary devices to make an exceptionally satisfying resolution.
During the fall, I had taken Arnold’s Revision Season class and I feel like a lot of the concepts were on display here. The pieces of this story’s puzzle and its mystery fit so perfectly together, allowing the reader to fall to the rhythm and charm from start to finish. Great care was taken to make sure that motifs fit and that concepts were repeated, but not so much in a way that seemed repetitive. Really effective, really tight writing to be found here.
I greatly appreciated the range of children’s experiences and emotions present throughout the book. It was really great to see them disagree with their parents and have that interaction be honest and respectful. The fact that is mirrored among the children also added a necessary cohesion to the prose’s evolution as the we learned more and more about the goings on around.
Overall, really quick listen with a satisfying mystery to boot.
June 24, 2021
This book's premise is one that hooked me, two characters who meet in the worst way are then sort of forced in a situation where they have to work together i.e solving puzzles with magical realist elements.
I enjoyed the tension between Alder and Oak and just how fun it was to have two characters who didn't like each other have to be around each other more than they'd hope and watch them work together. I enjoyed that this discusses the weird feeling of having to try and win back your best friend, when they have found another best friend something that I don't think is explored enough in MG/YA. I loved that Alder and Oak were problem solving together using BOOKS, reasoning and their noggins it felt really relatable and inspiring.
I wish that we had more time with Mort and at number 13, had we been able to dwell more in that space that's where I feel the magical realism element in the story could have been heightened that much more, it felt like we sampled into it rather then were fulling immersed into the world.
There was a lot I enjoyed about this book but ultimately it failed to let us live in the house that wasn't there and to engage more with Mort. I personally felt that wasn't there long enough time. It felt abrupt especially seeing how short the book was in page numbers that I wish there was more time for us to get towards the ending.
I enjoyed the tension between Alder and Oak and just how fun it was to have two characters who didn't like each other have to be around each other more than they'd hope and watch them work together. I enjoyed that this discusses the weird feeling of having to try and win back your best friend, when they have found another best friend something that I don't think is explored enough in MG/YA. I loved that Alder and Oak were problem solving together using BOOKS, reasoning and their noggins it felt really relatable and inspiring.
I wish that we had more time with Mort and at number 13, had we been able to dwell more in that space that's where I feel the magical realism element in the story could have been heightened that much more, it felt like we sampled into it rather then were fulling immersed into the world.
There was a lot I enjoyed about this book but ultimately it failed to let us live in the house that wasn't there and to engage more with Mort. I personally felt that wasn't there long enough time. It felt abrupt especially seeing how short the book was in page numbers that I wish there was more time for us to get towards the ending.
August 30, 2021
Please recall that 3 stars means "I like it"; an elementary student might give this book 4 or 5 stars. I really liked it until the fantastical came into play, and I actually do like fantasy books. I think it's just that I was into the story as not fantasy and then this "Chronicles of Narnia" moment happened and while I didn't enjoy it as much as a 10 year old might, I did like the characters. I loved the teacher teaching interdisciplinary units. I liked the working through of relationships between the characters, and I liked that there was a bit of mystery to be solved.
My younger self loved books where the spelling bee actually was a bee that spelled so I think I'd like to see what my eleven year old granddaughter thinks of the book. It would be an interesting book to read in an elementary classroom. I saw a book review on Goodreads by someone I follow. I think she might be a children's librarian. I promptly put a hold on it at my local library and ended up with a new book in my hands. It did not take me this long to read it. I started it in August, got to the magic / fantasy scene, and put it down to read some other books. Then, one night I picked it up and finished it.
My younger self loved books where the spelling bee actually was a bee that spelled so I think I'd like to see what my eleven year old granddaughter thinks of the book. It would be an interesting book to read in an elementary classroom. I saw a book review on Goodreads by someone I follow. I think she might be a children's librarian. I promptly put a hold on it at my local library and ended up with a new book in my hands. It did not take me this long to read it. I started it in August, got to the magic / fantasy scene, and put it down to read some other books. Then, one night I picked it up and finished it.
April 12, 2021
Sooo...I definitely wanted more cat teleportation to parallel worlds than this book gave me.
BUT, I realize that's not what this book was about. It's a wonderful book about invisible threads of all our lives and how they connect us to each other. I loved how the cat teleportation was a fun analogy to get that theme across. But even though this book could be categorized as magical realism, it's much more about family and friendship.
I felt like the ending was a bit of a disappointment. I didn't buy Oak's father's story, and it felt like an easy way to sum up the story. But, it was a good plot point to bring the story to an end. ALSO I felt like, while we learn opossum's can occupy parts of time, it didn't really explain why he ends up being a 4 foot tall, talking opossum. Once again, I know this was just a plot device but the world-builder in me wanted a better explanation.
BUT, I realize that's not what this book was about. It's a wonderful book about invisible threads of all our lives and how they connect us to each other. I loved how the cat teleportation was a fun analogy to get that theme across. But even though this book could be categorized as magical realism, it's much more about family and friendship.
I felt like the ending was a bit of a disappointment. I didn't buy Oak's father's story, and it felt like an easy way to sum up the story. But, it was a good plot point to bring the story to an end. ALSO I felt like, while we learn opossum's can occupy parts of time, it didn't really explain why he ends up being a 4 foot tall, talking opossum. Once again, I know this was just a plot device but the world-builder in me wanted a better explanation.
April 26, 2021
4 stars. I liked this book. A realistic children’s book in terms of kids’ emotions, friendships, trying to fit in, relationships with parents, etc with a touch of magic thrown in to make it all the more interesting. I think Oak was the slightly more interesting character because she was more spirited than her male counterpart, Alder. Alder was more introverted, but his preteen worries and fears definitely rang true. The only thing I found disappointing was the picture of the cats on the cover. They did not look like cats at all.
April 15, 2021
Extremely sweet Middle Grade about family, friendship, magic coincidences, and an opossum called Mort.
Like having a good cup of tea in a chilly afternoon, while you observe the garden out of your window.
Like having a good cup of tea in a chilly afternoon, while you observe the garden out of your window.
November 30, 2022
The House That Wasn't There is a cute story about friendship with a surprise twist at the end. There's not much I can say about this book other than that there were teleporting cats and an opossum. The twist at the end was a bit unbelievable for my cynical self, but I'm sure that children would enjoy the surprise!
November 5, 2023
Another fine book by Arnold. Only four stars because I didn’t see the teleporting cats as a necessary part of the story line. Too whimsical and silly for my liking and I do appreciate fantasy. But, again another hopeful book with great characters.
December 27, 2020
His book will appeal to fans of Crenshaw, Bob, or The Size of the Truth. A series of coincidences lead to a satisfying ending.
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April 21, 2021Loved it! What a beautiful & heartwarming story!
May 7, 2021
What a lovely heartwarming story!!
July 19, 2022
Pure magic!
February 9, 2024
"It's a strange thing, love. It's magic. It's a house you can't see, a third place between two people. It's enormous, but it can also fit inside the smallest pocket. Once you build it, love is there, even if you turn your back on it, even if you walk away. It's waiting for you to come home."
March 26, 2025
This ended up being a very sweet story.
November 7, 2022
Beautiful writing! Here’s a simple example: “The kittens were entwined amid unspooled yarn; like rays of floppy sunshine, the soft yellow loops of spun wool danced across the couch, the floor, wrapped around one leg of a chair.” I loved everything about this book. Great characters, well-paced, mostly unpredictable with an unexpected sprinkling of magic realism. A delight for middle school readers.
February 4, 2022
Read this with my 8 year old daughter and we both enjoyed it.
April 13, 2021
I won this book in a giveaway, but that doesn't affect my opinion.
This is a super cute book! I loved it! I think it would be wonderful for kids and for people who simply enjoy books that are simple, fun, and have wholesome messages. I really enjoyed reading this book. It's very well-written and "cozy."
This is a super cute book! I loved it! I think it would be wonderful for kids and for people who simply enjoy books that are simple, fun, and have wholesome messages. I really enjoyed reading this book. It's very well-written and "cozy."
September 29, 2020
Alder doesn’t remember much about his dad, but his favorite photo was taken in front of the walnut tree in the yard between his house and his neighbor’s house. He loves that tree. Oak doesn’t want to move from San Fransisco to Los Angeles, yet here she is. When her mom decides to do construction on their house, that big tree on their property has to be cut down. Alder is devastated, Oak is frustrated by being ignored, and the fifth grade might just not be big enough for the both of them. But when two lonely kittens, a storm, and a magical experience draw them together, they may just discover they have more in common than they thought.
The House that Wasn’t There by Elana K. Arnold is beautifully written with a distinct voice. It handles tough subjects with grace, including the difficulty of making friends, fractured friendships, a deceased parent, and enjoying non-gender norm hobbies. These topics are all age appropriately accessible while maintaining an encouraging tone, and are introduced organically. This is one of those novels that helps a kid really see themselves in a book.
These very real topics are tempered with a dash of magical realism. As Oak and Alder connect over a shared experience and set out to solve the mystery that it reveals, the limits of coincidence are explored.
This novel has great character development. This novel showcases the myriad of personalities and personas people inhabit beautifully. Every character we meet, from the protagonists to their teacher, classmates, and relatives is their own unique and memorable character.
This middle grade novel is sure to please readers who love a bit of magical realism.
Thank you to HarperCollins children’s books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book such that I could write this review. This was a treat to read!
The House that Wasn’t There will be released March 30, 2021.
The House that Wasn’t There by Elana K. Arnold is beautifully written with a distinct voice. It handles tough subjects with grace, including the difficulty of making friends, fractured friendships, a deceased parent, and enjoying non-gender norm hobbies. These topics are all age appropriately accessible while maintaining an encouraging tone, and are introduced organically. This is one of those novels that helps a kid really see themselves in a book.
These very real topics are tempered with a dash of magical realism. As Oak and Alder connect over a shared experience and set out to solve the mystery that it reveals, the limits of coincidence are explored.
This novel has great character development. This novel showcases the myriad of personalities and personas people inhabit beautifully. Every character we meet, from the protagonists to their teacher, classmates, and relatives is their own unique and memorable character.
This middle grade novel is sure to please readers who love a bit of magical realism.
Thank you to HarperCollins children’s books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book such that I could write this review. This was a treat to read!
The House that Wasn’t There will be released March 30, 2021.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews