Thornhill

This book is interesting to read back and forth between learning about two girls. We learn about Mary who lived at Thornhill through her diary pages, which are text. We learn about Ella through illustrations. I like doing these two mediums to tell this story gave it a really cool feeling while reading. This book is very suspenseful, I got chills in the illustration sections of the book. If you're looking for something sad, mysterious, and a bit sinister this is a great book to pick up!
I thought the opening of this book was really strong, you have a point of view of one person looking up at the house, where Ella is, and you have Ella looking down into Thornhill. It made me wonder immediately who is watching Ella, creepy! They talk about the Secret Garden several times through this book and It really gave the same vibes. Ella going over the wall into Thornhill's overgrown yard/garden. The Raven having a key to the secret room, similar to the robin, and Mary described as looking sickly like the main character in the secret garden. If they are references they are done very subtly and well. The ending to this book was also very strong, [
It didn't end where I thought it would and the continued pages we see a new person in the house. This changed my perspective on Mary, maybe still a victim but also perhaps a predator? A new mystery to think and discuss! (hide spoiler)] ~Ashley