The Boy at the Window by Lucy Strange & illustrated by Rohan Eason

Cuddle up under a blanket and keep the curtains closed! The queen of gothic tales, Lucy Strange, has done it again with a story that will send shivers down your spine. The Boy at the Window is a hauntingly gothic book inspired by dark stories of the 18th century. It will make a perfect addition to Key Stage 3 English topics on gothic literature.

People say the fog plays tricks on the mind: sounds of voices calling, shapes and spectres at the window, and an eeriness begging to be let inside. Like a living, breathing thing, the fog surrounds houses in an oppressive silence, blocking out any other signs of life.

Hugo lives with his mother who is lost in her own mind. His father has been missing for over a year yet she still expects him to return every day. Their housekeeper, Mrs Stubbs, cares for them both but can’t heal the wounds of loss. While eating dinner, Hugo thinks he sees a face at the window in the fog. Is it a boy? Does he want to come inside? Does Hugo dare to open the door?

With each page, readers’ hearts will beat a little bit faster. As the ghostly figure winds its way into Hugo’s life, we can only hope he’s able to make the right decisions and hold on to his precious life. According to Mrs Stubbs, “We’re all haunted by something or someone.” How much we choose to let that something or someone in is up to us.

Published by Barrington Stoke, The Boy at the Window provides a more accessible gothic text for older readers. With dyslexia-friendly font, spacing and page tint, everyone can enjoy it. The manageable length and carefully chosen vocabulary encourages success. I will definitely be recommending this to the English team at my children’s secondary school.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for a copy of this wonderful book!

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