The House of Dies Drear

by Virginia Hamilton, Eros Keith (Illustrator)

Overview

The house held secrets, Thomas knew, even before he first saw it looming gray and massive on its ledge of rock. It had a century-oldlegend--two fugitive slaves had been killed by bounty hunters after leaving its passageways, and Dies Drear himself, the abolitionist who had made the house into a station on the Underground Railroad, had been murdered there. The ghosts of the three were said to walk its rooms...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780020435204
Publisher:	Simon Pulse
Publication date:	10/01/1984
Series:	Dies Drear Chronicle Series , #1
Edition description:	Reissue
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	1,036,931
Product dimensions:	6.90(w) x 11.00(h) x 0.75(d)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

The recipient of nearly every major award and honor in her field, including the 1992 Hans Christian Andersen Award, Virginia Hamilton (1934–2002) was the first African American woman to be awarded the Newbery Medal, for M.C. Higgins, the Great. Renowned as a storyteller, anthologist, and lecturer as well as a novelist, Ms. Hamilton made her home in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Eros Keith has illustrated books for children and young adults including The Slave Dancer and the The House of Dies Drear.

Date of Birth:

March 12, 1936

Date of Death:

February 19, 2002

Place of Birth:

Yellow Springs, Ohio

Place of Death:

Yellow Springs, Ohio

Education:

Attended Antioch College, Ohio State University, and the New School for Social Research

Website:

http://www.virginiahamilton.com/

Editorial Reviews

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "A hundred years ago, Dies Drear and two slaves he was hiding in his house, an Underground Railroad station in Ohio, had been murdered. The house, huge and isolated, was fascinating, Thomas thought, but he wasn't sure he was glad Papa had bought it—funny things kept happening, frightening things... The secret of the house is revealed in an exciting final sequence that maintains beautifully the mysterious and dramatic story of a black family caught in an atmosphere of fear and danger. Written with distinction, an imaginiative and imposing book."

From the Publisher

Thomas Small’s world changes radically when he has to go north with his family to Ohio, where his father, a history professor, has rented a house that was formerly an important station on the Underground Railroad. Lynne Thigpen’s deep, resonant voice recreates this journey and the faces along the way--from the young and hopeful Thomas, to the deeply troubled Mr. Pluto--until the house of Dies Drear finally gives up its mystery. Thigpen delivers the narrative slowly and methodically but she changes with her characterizations. She sings, screams and intones all the creatures of this classic ghost thriller. This Newbery Medal and National Book Award-winner is a must for any audio collection. P.E.F. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine

JAN 96 - AudioFile