-13%

The Apartment House on Poppy Hill: Book 1 — Spooky For Kids

The Apartment House on Poppy Hill: Book 1 — photo 1

The Apartment House on Poppy Hill: Book 1 — photo 2

The Apartment House on Poppy Hill: Book 1 — photo 3

📖 Have you read this book?

Your review can inspire others to read it

−13%

The Apartment House on Poppy Hill: Book 1

Name: The Apartment House on Poppy Hill: Book 1
Price: 12.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781797213736

✍️ Nina Lacour, Sònia Albert

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$12.99 ~~$14.99~~ Save $2.00 (13%)

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Step beyond the veil into 1106 Wildflower Place, an edifice where the mundane gives way to the marvelous. This luminous chapter book by Nina LaCour introduces Ella, a young initiate tasked with guiding new souls through the arcane rites of community living. Discover the spectral quirks of the building, the nocturnal whispers, and the enigmatic presence of the Robinsons. It's a heartwarming exploration of urban alchemy, where neighborly bonds transmute strangers into a cohesive, magical whole, revealing the profound secrets of belonging and welcome.

Lacour, Nina; , Albert, Sònia

📚 all books by this author (2) →

Praise for this book

“The author's foray into chapter books takes on lighter themes of time and its passing, family, community, inclusion, and the mindfulness of noticing things... a pleasant, inclusive story.”

— School Library Journal

🏛 Chronicle Books 📅 2023 📖 132 pages 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781797213736

Fun Fact

Nina LaCour's 'Poppy Hill' is a deceptively simple yet profound exploration of communal magic. It excels at revealing the hidden enchantments within daily interactions, making the ordinary extraordinary for young initiates. Those seeking literal spells or ancient lore will find it wanting, but for anyone drawn to the esoteric wisdom of human connection, this is a charming and insightful parable. It carves a unique niche as a gentle guide to the spiritual architecture of togetherness.

📝 Description: The Apartment House on Poppy Hill: Book 1

Winner of the 2024 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ+ Children's Literature A charming new chapter book by bestselling author Nina LaCour. Welcome to 1106 Wildflower Place: It is no ordinary apartment house, but you, reader, are no ordinary visitor. So, please, come in! Two new tenants have just arrived, and nine-year-old Ella is determined to help them settle in. Who better to teach them about the glitchy lights and the nighttime noises? After all, Ella knows all the neighbors. Well, almost all. No one has met the mysterious Robinsons who live on the top floor. Will a special neighborly celebration change all that? This bighearted chapter book by bestselling author Nina LaCour, highlighted by lively illustrations throughout, celebrates community, friendship, family, and home. It is a place of walking dogs that aren't yours, keeping surprises secret, and making everyone feel welcome. Here, the eccentric joy of Armistead Maupin's Tales of The City merges seamlessly with the antic fun of Ivy + Bean, the family tenderness of The Penderwicks, and the madcap adventure of Eloise in an irresistible story that will leave you eager for the next one! BESTSELLING, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR: Nina LaCour is a highly acclaimed author of both YA and adult novels. This is her first novel for younger readers and a terrific introduction of a talented writer to the next generation. HILARIOUSLY UNIVERSAL: Ella is a strong protagonist that readers of all ages and genders will love. She is bighearted, curious, and just a tad mischievous. DIVERSE CAST OF CHARACTERS: Featuring many different family structures, this story is wonderfully diverse and inclusive. Any reader can imagine themselves living at 1106 Wildflower Place. DRAWN FROM AUTHOR'S PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: The charming characters and their stories were conjured by LaCour and her young daughter during the long walks they took through San Francisco during the early days of Covid-19 and inspired by the people they encountered along the way.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

While 'The Apartment House on Poppy Hill' offers a charming entry point into magical realism, it may not suit readers seeking complex plots or high-stakes conflict. Those expecting gritty urban fantasy or detailed world-building might find its focus on subtle enchantment and emotional resonance too gentle. The narrative prioritizes the warmth of community over arcane mechanics, which could disappoint fans of darker, more intricate occult systems. However, for those who value atmospheric storytelling and the quiet magic of human connection, it remains a delightful, accessible gem that successfully bridges the gap between mundane reality and the marvelous.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who cherish stories where everyday life holds hidden magic will find profound joy in this luminous chapter book. It is perfect for young initiates or those young at heart, seeking a narrative that transforms the anxiety of new beginnings into an adventure of discovery. The story offers a warm embrace to anyone feeling like an outsider, illustrating how neighborly bonds can transmute strangers into a cohesive, magical whole. By guiding Ella through the arcane rites of community living, the book reveals the profound secrets of belonging and welcome in an urban setting. It is ideal for readers who appreciate heartwarming explorations of urban alchemy, where the spectral quirks of a building become a canvas for personal growth and connection.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

For young seekers and nascent mystics, this tome offers an enchanting glimpse into the everyday magic of human connection. If you are drawn to the subtle energies of community and the quiet power of welcoming the unknown, let Ella be your guide through this heartwarming urban labyrinth.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

While 'The Apartment House on Poppy Hill' offers a charming entry point into magical realism, it may not suit readers seeking complex plots or high-stakes conflict. Those expecting gritty urban fantasy or detailed world-building might find its focus on subtle enchantment and emotional resonance too gentle. The narrative prioritizes the warmth of community over arcane mechanics, which could disappoint fans of darker, more intricate occult systems. However, for those who value atmospheric storytelling and the quiet magic of human connection, it remains a delightful, accessible gem that successfully bridges the gap between mundane reality and the marvelous.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While not featuring overt spells or incantations, this book offers profound insights into the 'magic' of human connection and community building. Its esoteric value lies in its gentle revelation of the unseen bonds and subtle energies that shape our shared living spaces.

This initiation into the mysteries of neighborhood life is perfectly suited for young readers aged 7-10. It serves as an excellent foundational text for understanding the dynamics of empathy, acceptance, and the quiet power of collective harmony.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

The Urban Microcosm

This narrative deftly portrays the apartment building as a living, breathing entity, a contained universe reflecting the larger cosmos. Each resident, with their unique energies and stories, contributes to the building's distinct aura, highlighting how diverse souls converge to form a singular, intricate tapestry of existence.

Esoteric Bonds of Kinship

Beyond mere acquaintance, the text delves into the subtle, energetic threads that bind individuals in a shared space. It explores the almost ritualistic processes of welcoming newcomers, learning the building's hidden rhythms, and discovering profound, unspoken connections that transform a mere address into a sacred hearth of community.

Unveiling Hidden Truths

Through the eyes of its observant young protagonist, the story encourages readers to look past the surface of everyday life. It suggests that mysteries and wonders reside in the most common occurrences—a flickering light, a distant sound, an unknown neighbor—inviting a deeper, more mindful engagement with one's surroundings and its inhabitants.

📜 Historical context

Though appearing as a contemporary tale, this work resonates with ancient traditions of community parables and allegories of belonging. It echoes the wisdom found in fables that teach the importance of collective harmony and the esoteric art of building a home. It’s a modern grimoire for understanding social dynamics through an empathetic, almost spiritual, lens.

📚 Glossary

Wildflower Place
Glitchy Lights
Mysterious Robinsons

📔 Questions to reflect on

Consider your own living space. What unseen energies or hidden stories do you believe reside within its walls or among its inhabitants?
Reflect on a time you welcomed a stranger or were welcomed yourself. What rituals, spoken or unspoken, defined that initiation into a new community?
If your home could whisper its secrets, what do you imagine it would reveal about the people who live there, past and present?