The House Where Death Lives

Gr 10 Up–In a house unbound by the laws of the natural world, where death follows the inhabitants, these 16 stories by a mix of well-known and newer authors trail through the dark hallways of human fear. As readers progress from the attic down through each room of the house, it gives way to secrets and stories of the deaths it has seen. Other than the house as a pathway from one to the next, little common ground can be found in the stories, which represent a broad array of identities and topics. Illustrations are a chilling addition to this dark collection that bridges space between abortion, monsters, ghosts, infant loss, societal pressure, devotion beyond death to a sibling, and more: while the stories are only connected to each other by their taking place in the same house, the blend of horror with deeply emotional scenarios creates a poignant and evocative whole. Particularly creepy pieces include “Cradle and All” by Kay Costales, “Mirror, Mirror” by Nora Elghazzawi, and “Like Mother” by Gina Chen.