Book Review: Things in the Basement

Author: Ben Hatke

Title: Things in the Basement 
Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Graphic Novel, Middle-Grade 
Number of Pages: 240
Setting: The Basement World 
Time Period: Present Day 

Plot Summary: Milo is tasked with fetching his baby sister's sock from the basement. They've recently moved into a historic house, so Milo knows what to expect downstairs: dust, boxes, and laundry. He's caught off guard when he finds a door he's never seen before and the basement is enormous! As he keeps going farther, he finds himself in the Basement World. It's full of interesting creatures and Things that live in shadows and darkness. Milo learns to face his fears when he tries to leave the Basement World and has to approach the strange creatures with kindness.

My Verdict: This was a heartwarming story about Milo learning to face his fears in the basement and making friends even in the weirdest circumstances. The Basement World was really cool, almost like a labyrinth and the creatures were so strange. This was fast-paced and any middle-grade kiddo would enjoy it. 

Subject Headings: 

Basements -- Fiction.
Underground areas -- Fiction.
Imaginary creatures -- Fiction.
Adventure and adventurers -- Fiction.

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The Skull by Jon Klassen 

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