Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

I absolutely loved this quirky and slightly mysterious Middle Grade book! New friends, angry neighbors, kittens, and a fantastic twist at the end!

“The House That Wasn’t There” by Elana K. Arnold, author of “A Boy Called Bat,” provides a beautiful story of hard changes. This middle grade novel tells the story of Oak and Adler, who become neighbors immediately at odds when one parent cuts down a tree that is the other child’s only memory of their deceased parent. When Oak and Adler discover that they have each adopted kittens that were siblings, they move past conflict into friendship. The major themes of this book include self acceptance, grief, loss, adjustment, friendship, family, and believing in potential. I adored Alder and Oak’s problem solving minds and their love of books. This book has a gentle pace with a primarily realistic and relatable storyline. There is an odd storyline that includes a touch of magical realism but it doesn’t take away from the clinical applicability and serves to keep the reader hooked.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. The opinions shared are my own.

What a quirky and sweet story! I was not expecting some of the twists and turns, but they were fun!
Alder and his mother are offended when the new neighbors (Oak and her parents) cut down the beloved walnut tree that stood between their two houses. Oak is angry too - about the tree, about moving, and about her dad still having to work far away. The two "tree kids" dislike one another - until a strange coincidence helps them to see that they have more in common than they ever could have imagined. This story is about our connections with one another, and how they can bring healing and hope.

This was enjoyable enough, but perhaps not for me. I didn't like the magical realism angle. Fans of fantasy are likely to enjoy that touch better.

The House That Wasn't There by Elana K. Arnold is a small story with a big magic. Arnold deftly weaves together the mundane and familiar with the unbelievable and astonishing. The result is a beautiful story about family—and how it can show up unexpected.

Elana's quirky details—like a taxidermic possum and a book about teleporting cats—are plausible in the sharp, compact, and powerful narrative.

Alder has lived in his house forever with his mother. And he loves the oak tree next-door. But when Oak moves into the house and her mother cuts down the tree, Alder's world is turned upsidedown. But maybe that's just what he needs?

This heartful mystery is a great read.

Alder and his mom share a cozy home in Los Angeles. The new neighbor, Oak, isn't happy about having to move to LA from San Francisco. Alder's mom isn't happy that Oak's mom had the tree between their houses cut down. When Oak moves in next door, all kinds of strange coincidences start appearing which help to form a new friendship between the neighbors.

This book is big on friendship with a little bit of fantasy. It was a 3-star read for me because it moved too slowly for my liking.

Thanks to HarperCollins Children's Books/Walden Pond Press and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.

This was just as good as I anticipated. I am so happy to recommend this to middle grade readers and anyone else who loves middle grade titles like I do.

This is a heart-warming and magical story about a fifth-grader named Alder and Oak, his new next-door neighbor. Although they don't hit it off at first, they begin to discover that their lives are connected in mysterious ways. A unique story about friendship, family, and coincidences.

I can certainly see what this one was trying to say, the things that tie us together and all that. An inter-dimensional house occupied by a living taxedermied opossum is a weird method for explaining those ties, though. Add in a plot that relies more on synchronicity than intention and I'm inclined to pass on this one.

I first read Elana Arnold a few years ago when her "Boy Called Bat" was recommended to me by our school librarian as our Global Read Aloud book. So I was intrigued to pick up another work from her that sounded completely different.

In The House That Wasn't There we see the contrast between the two main characters Alder and Oak. Alder, who has spent his whole life in their SoCal town, live alone with his mother. His father past away when he was rather young and though he's known his classmates his entire life, he struggles to make any close connections to anyone aside from his mother.

Oak on the other hand, just moved to town. She wasn't thrilled to move across the state for her mother's new job, and she especially dislikes the fact that they made the move without her father. Unlike Alder, Oak has no problems making friends, however, the one person she doesn't connect with is her own mother.

Brought together by a shared tree stump two abandoned kittens, and a school project, Alder and Oak have plenty to learn about one another. While fantasy stories are not usually my thing, how often do you get to read about 4 foot talking possums and teleporting cats?

This sweet story is about Alder, who lives with his mom and in small comfortable house in Los Angeles. Things start to change when they get new neighbors. The neighbors cut down a favorite tree that shaded Alder's house and he and his mom are pretty unhappy about it. The new neighbors have a daughter named Oak, who is also unhappy. She's unhappy that her family moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco. Alder and Oak don't start off being friends, but gradually they find they have a lot more in common than they originally thought. This is a fun, surprising story with lots of plot twists. Don't miss it!

THEMES: friendship, life changes, loss and grief, embracing who you are, and family.



Magical realism has become the types of book that students seem to go after when they want a little something to connect to, but also feel as though they can escape the every day worry of real life - which is exactly what The House That Wasn't There can do for young readers. This is one of those novels that really helps student see themselves in a book.



Oak and Alder are suddenly living next door to one another and their relationship is

not off to a great start. Alder's knowledge of his father is minimal, but his favorite

picture was taken in front o the walnut tree in the yard between his and his

neighbor's house - the tree meaning so much to him. BUT THEN, Oak is forced to

move from San Fransisco to LA and her mom has plans for some construction on

their property - including removing the large tree.



Alder is devastated.

Oak feels ignored and invisible.



BUT - suddenly, two lonely kittens, a storm, and this "magical" experience draw them

together. Bridging this friendship they both did not expect, nor wanted, at the time.



Key teaching points: Major themes, excellent character development, multiple POVs

I received an electronic ARC from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley.
Alder has lived in the same home all his life. His dad died when he was small so his mom and he are the only family he knows. He cherishes the large tree that grows on the edge of their neighbor's property as it's in the photo of his dad, mom and he that hangs in their home. His world changes when new neighbors move in next door and cut down the tree without warning. So begins his relationship with the new girl next door, Oak. Alternating chapters are told from her perspective as she learns to adapt to a new home and school. Both Oak and Alder interact with classmates and find their way in middle school. They learn valuable lessons about being open to new people. The last couple chapters offer more surprises/coincidences that wrap up with everyone finding more family than they knew they had.
Arnold creates a world that lives in both the ordinary and the unusual. She weaves in a magical portal for travel with their cats that explains the missing house between their two homes. Some of the transitions are a bit abrupt and the story doesn't always move forward seamlessly. Readers may be left with questions about the portal traveling cats and kids. However, it's a quick read that will appeal to upper elementary level readers.

As a huge fan of Arnold's YA offerings, I came to this MG with high expectations that were fully satisfied. This is a lovely, atmospheric story that I will be thrilled to share with young readers.

Utterly charming story of friendship and change, told in a conversational tone that pulls you in. Knitter Alder and angry newcomer Oak bond over puzzles with a touch, perhaps of magic. Delightful and engaging.

With thanks to NetGalley and Walden Pond Press for an early copy in return for an honest review.

A unique premise with unexpected twists. Oak and Alder suddenly find themselves living next door to each other and their relationship gets off to a rocky start. The House That Wasn't There explores themes of friendships and family as Oak and Alder navigate their relationships at home and school. Would definitely recommend for feline fans who like a touch of fantasy in their stories.

This was such a fascinating and unexpected middle grade novel about family, friendship, coincidences and a touch of magic. I loved the dual narrative and the evolution of the two main characters from enemies to good friends.

This is a 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.

4 stars

I enjoyed this so much!

_The House That Wasn't There_ features next door neighbors, Alder and Oak, who find quickly that they have several surprising commonalities. In addition to being neighbors and classmates and bearers of tree-related names, they mutually experience some pretty magical moments, notice their moms' odd reactions at critical moments, and care for adorable sounding and expertly named kittens.

I love the ways in which family, friendship, and loss are portrayed throughout the novel, and the fantasy elements are so intriguing. My one main wish was for MORE of the fantasy elements. I'd have liked to see more volume and depth there.

That minor note aside, this is a highly entertaining and surprisingly moving read. I generally love Arnold's work, and I am happy to add this latest work to the list.