Behind the Attic Wall

by Sylvia Cassedy

Book Overview

They were watching...and waiting At twelve, Maggie had been thrown out of more boarding schools than she cared to remember. "Impossible to handle," they said -- nasty, mean, disobedient, rebellious,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0380698439
• ISBN13: 9780380698431
• Release Date: March 1985
• Publisher: Avon Books
• Length: 315 Pages
• Weight: 0.51 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.5"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Be wary

This is a slow, dark and depressing book. I would not recommend it for an adult much less a pre-teen or teen. While well written it does in style, in content it does not offer any hope, any kindness and truths for main character to hold on to or aspire to. The main character is a child who suffers alone and all the adults around her are ineffective and oblivious of her suffering. She may well end up with psychological problems and inability to deal with reality . I could go on but suffice it to say I am sorry I wasted my time on this depressing snd frustrating book.

Enchanting Tragedy

This is an interesting story that features a young girl who is at first very depressing, but then gradually becomes less withdrawn. I kept wanting her to wake up and realize that people were willing to help her. For example, early in the book when she is given a gift, she tosses it on the floor, which was a bit too ungrateful for me. Although the long descriptions of her imaginary friends became a bit tiresome, and the Prologue left me more confused than engrossed, overall this is a great childrens' story (readers in age group 12+), with well developed characters and excelent descriptions.As a reader who enjoys a well told story, regardless of the genre and age group, I found this story both intriguing and expertly crafted. Wild Bill recommends this book for adults and children, although the story content and character motivation would probably appeal to young women more than the guys.

A Timeless Classic

Like so many others, I too read this first as a child of about 10, and then found it again as an adult (I'm 28 now). This book exemplifies what people are just now rediscovering with the Harry Potter books, that the themes and simple yet elegant prose found in children's literature resonates for all ages. Maggie is a loner, shuffled from place to place all her life. When she's finally kicked out of the last boarding school and given to her great aunts' custody in drafty old Adelphi Hills, it's just another temporary place to her. And then the voices start, and like any heroine from a Gothic novel, she goes exploring to find out the secret behind the walls.The characters in this book jump from the page, and go home with the reader. Who could forget Miss Christabel or Timothy John, or mad Uncle Morris? When Maggie finally discovers their secret, it is not a great shock to the reader, but more a fulfillment of expectation. The greater secret is at the end, which affects me every time I reread the book. It's a must-have for anyone with children.

Magical!!

I read this book for the first time when I was 12, and loved it... to this day it is one of my all time favourites!It is a heartwarming, wonderful story, beautifully written, with very well developed and believable characters (hard to find in kids books), an excellent plot and a magical ending!!... All in all a Masterpiece for Children!Maggie is a 12 year old girl, who is sent to live with her two very strict and conservative great aunts after she was thrown out from yet another boarding school.They and her uncle Morris are her only living relatives.When she arrives to their house she wants to immediatly leave; they are not nice, they are very strict and they do not love her or want her there.Then one day, she began hearing whisperings and voices coming from the other side of the closet, and when she finally discovered to whom those voices belonged to, she found her own private fantasy and magical world and felt for the first time that she was loved and that she belonged.If there was a chance to put six or seven stars, this is one of the few books that would get them! (5 SOLID stars)

Utterly enchanting; enough to last a lifetime.

A book's success is decidedly determined by it's staying power. In viewing previouly written reviews, I find that I am not the only woman in her mid-twenties, who has enjoyed this book repeatedly. I, too, first read this story as a young girl. I, too, have a copy stashed away with 'my favorite things' from childhood. I am 27 years old, now, with two children of my own. The box of 'favorite things' was long ago buried beneath old baby cribs, kid's clothes, and holiday decorations. On a recent trip to the juvenile section of the local library, to make a few selections for my youngsters, I spotted "Behind the Attic Wall". I checked it out, and delightedly took the journey to 'Maggie's world', once again.Maggie has been described as "bad", but I believe a more correct description is 'hardened'. She has suffered a great deal, in such a short lifetime, with virtually no guidance. She is constantly told what she SHOULD NOT do, and rarely instructed on what she SHOULD do. I believe that most of us have experienced this unfortunate method of child-rearing, doomed to continue making mistakes until we stumble upon the 'correct' way to do things. When Maggie IS told what she should be doing, it is frequently coupled with insults regarding her intelligence or personal appearance. Again, especially for young girls, this sort of child-rearing is devastating to one's self esteem. I believe the author did a wonderful job portraying the human heart, and all of its weaknesses and strengths. Maggie is 'hard' because she is fighting to love herself. She allows herself to be caught-up in a world of daydreams, because the real world is often cruel and bleak.This story is one of wonder, heartache, and joy. A lost little girl, an enormous empty world, and a mysterious secret that would release her from herself. I highly recommend it, no matter what your age.

the story of a girl who finds a reason to live....

I first read this book when I was 18, and now at twenty I have my own copy. this story is beautiful, engaging touching and mysterious. When an orphan, Maggie, is sent to live with two aunts she has given up on life. She has been hurt so many times she rejects others before they can reject her. When she meets two dolls that live in the attic of the house, she finally learns to use her imagination and is loved. More importantly, she learns how to love others, and finds a reason to live. A beautiful story for kids of all ages. Destined to be a classic.