The House of Dies Drear

Contents: The House of Dies Drear a novel by Virginia Hamilton Haunted House a poem by Valerie Worth The House on the Island a short story by Walter B. Gibson from Get on Board: The Story of the Underground Railroad nonfiction by James Haskins When the Rattlesnake Sounds a play by Alice Childress Runagate Runagate a poem by Robert Hayden The Secret Room a personal essay by William M. Dorr Bound for Freedom an article by Laura P McCarty

Wow!Best book I ever read!So scary, with a blotch of sorrow.Thomas, a young boy,who's mind is based on Adventure,will discover what it was like for slaves, on the run!His new house, huge, has secrets.He wants to know them as he sees things.Things that cringe,move,and shelter the truth of the house.Meanwhile, his neighbors know the secrets.It's a winding tale of Mystery, Suspense, And Adventure.I rate it 5 stars, two thumbs, and one heaping helping of goodtime laughter!

Virginia Hamilton does a superb job of combining historical facts with mystery. This book is about a boy who moves in to a house that used to be part of the Under Ground Railroad. When Dies Drear, the original owner of the old house, sends 3 slaves on a mission back to slavery to give slaves money to help them escape to freedom the legend begins. 2 of the three slaves were killed, and one fled to the north, the ghosts of the 2 slaves were said to have murdered Dies Drear the very same week. When Thomas's family moves in, Thomas finds out that there is an exquisite network of tunnels that run all through the house... he also finds out that the ghosts of Dies Drear and the 2 slaves are said to haunt the old, gloomy house. When strange things start happening, Thomas begins to beleive that there really are ghosts. Then, one night, while Thomas and his father are determined to find out who-or what is creating these strange happenings,, the mystery starts to unravel. This book got directly to the point, and kept me hooked. I couldn't stop reading this book, it is one of the best books I have ever read, and I would recommend it to anyone-whether you get scared easily, or love horror novels!

This is a real mystery and suspense novel with historical overtones and a great choice for October reading lists' "Haunted" category. A Black family relocates from North Carolina to Ohio, when the father accepts a teaching position at a local college. Working for a Foundation which preserves Black history, Mr. Small rents the rambling old house of Dies Drear, a Dutch abolitionist who helped fugitive slaves on their dangerous journey to Canada. Riddled with hidden passageways and secret doors, this old house is protected by local superstition and an irascible caretaker named Mr. Pluto (like Hades, god of the Underworld and Vulcan, the blacksmith). Young Thomas is captivated by the idea of living in such a house--but also terrified at times--as he learns more about the Underground Railroad. But why is the Black community so reserved towards the new family? They have stumbled into an area of almost-forgotten feuding between hostile neighbors who are obsessed with the idea of finding the legacy of rich Dies Drear: probably hidden treasure. So Thomas must use his brain and his shaky courage to tackle the town nasties who seem committed to driving his family from the place. He also has to cope with two snoopy neighbor kids, his father's reluctance to reveal all he knows, and the indifference of the house itself. Because Thomas and his father intend to stay and to make a real difference, despite someone's agenda of Hate. Thomas is too spunky to remain cowed for long, nor will he permit the house force his family into surrender; he certainly will not let that Mr. Pluto scare him off with his tricks. The Smalls are here to stay! If only the house at least were on their side. How many generations must suffer while searching for the elusive treasure of that mysterious Dies Drear? And if such treasure truly exists, who has the right to claim it? This is a fascinating and exciting book for readers of all ages--a good introduction to Black History. Discover for yourself the Real treasure of Dies Drear! (PS: She wrote a sequel: The Mystery of Drear House.)

Thomas Small lived in Virginia all of his life. Then one day, ( which happened to be his birthday) Thomas and family packed up all of their belongings and moved up north to a small town in Ohio where his father got a new job. As the days pass, strange things start happening. Thomas discovers a secret passage. Wilst in the passsage and has a frightening encounter with a mysterious man. The Smalls meet a family called the Darrows who are pretty mean terrorise them. At the end, the Smalls and the mysteriouse man called Mister Pluto and his son get together and scare of the Darrows to keep them away from the secret tresure of Dies Drear. I advise you to read this wonderful book ful of mysterie and suprise