Book Review (and TPIB): The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand

I recently went to a local(ish) Barnes and Noble store for a book signing by Claire Legrand.  Yes, I had not yet actually read the book, but it sounded interesting.  Poor Claire, I had to take my kids – one is 10 and one is 3.  That night the two girls walked out with signed copies of The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls and the tween and I began to read.  We read parts of it out loud together that first night, but I had to stay up and finish reading it that night because it was that good.  The tween was definitely interested in the book and took it for a walk with us the next night and tried to walk and read at the same time.  I am not going to lie, this is not always a good idea.

As for The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls, this is a great MG read with a gothic feel to it.  Fans of Coraline by Neil Gaiman will love it. 

Our story takes place in a small town where the Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls resides.  Here we meet young Victoria, a fesity, perfectionist heroine who is about to have her socks rocked as she learns that things are not always what they seem and perfectionism is not always the best way to go.

Seriously creepy stuff happens in the Cavendish Home.  Children disappear and sometimes – if they return – they come back different.  Victoria becomes interested when her sort of best friend Lawrence disappears and it turns out she does indeed care, much to her surprise.  There is a small hint of The Stepford Wives here and a play on the idea that adults are always trying to turn kids into perfect little angels.  But if you have or work with kids, you know that this is not naturally going to occur, so maybe there is a small need for something supernatural to intervene.  Inside the Cavendish home there are certainly some supernatural things happening, and they are spectacularly creepy (and fun).  There is this reveal that will make you gasp – out loud! There are all kinds of fun, snarky things I can say here about it but I don’t want to spoil you so you’ll just have to trust that I have some good zingers here.  If you are looking for safe yet creepy reads for your MG students, I highly recommend The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand.  Claire Legrand captures a great voice in Victoria and the writing style is fun, engaging and whimsical while still making you afraid to turn out the light at night.  4.5 out of 5 stars, a new terrifying classic for those tweens looking for a haunting/chilling/scary read.  They will not be disappointed.  Important note: readers of all ages will love this new haunting classic.  Yeah, I declared it a new classic – I went there.

Tween take: Dark, twisted and awesome!

TPIB:
And because November 1st is Lawrence’s birthday, I offer these programming ideas to do with a class or book discussion group to go along with this title.  Say Happy Birthday to Lawrence with the creepiest birthday party ever.  PS: tomorrow is my birthday.

Creepy Crawlies: roach crafts!

First you should know that I stole this idea from Claire herself.  In fact, her stepsister was kind enough to give me her bug pin (thanks Claire’s stepsister!).  Basically, there is a running theme of these roach like bugs running throughout the book which means – Roach Crafts!! Bet you never thought you would get to say that.  You can buy these very lifelike looking roach bugs and hot glue them to lapel pins, barrettes and more.  I wanted to take the one out of Claire’s stepsisters hair, but then it would have left her with one of those funny hair dents – and it would made me look creepier then Miss Cavendish, which is never good.  Your tweens will love this craft.

Hex Bugs/Nano Bugs
I am always looking for a reason to use these nano/hex bugs in programming.  Your tweens can used recycle goods (think boxes, etc.) to create “battlegrounds” and have some hex bug battles.  The only downside to these bugs are cost, but you can definitely use some as giveaways at the end of the program.

Exquisite Corpse
It’s been a while since I mentioned the Exquisite Corpse, but it definitely fits here.  Inside the home there are these creatures that serve as servants, who they are is part of the twisted fun, but they are described as being quite distorted.  In fact, throughout the book there are some illustrations which add some definite charm – and chill – to Cavendish Home which should not go unnoticed.  Basically, the exquisite corpse is an art activity that will allow your participants to create their own versions of these creatures.  You take a large piece of paper – super large – and fold it into thirds.  Or take regular sheets of paper and you will eventually tape them together.  Divide your participants into teams of 3; one person will draw a head, one a torso, and one the bottom portion of their creature.  The trick is that none knows what the other is drawing so when you put the 3 pieces together to create a whole creature they are usually dark and twisty – just like this book.

Creepy House Collage
Looking for something to do with all those discarded magazines?  Get your tweens to make their own creepy/haunted houses using the tried and true method of collage.  Low cost but high fun.  What would the Cavendish Home look like if it was designed specifically to scare them?  Maybe instead of roaches there would be spiders or clowns.  I’m not saying that’s what would be in my creepy house collage, it’s just a possibility is all.  I mean, I hear people are afraid of these things.

The Most Disturbing Puppet Show Ever
You can use popsicle sticks or dowel rods, string, and again recycled things like cans, etc. to make your own marionettes.  Marionettes seem like too much work, even paper bag puppets will do in a pinch, or bust out your puppet collection.  Then have your tweens do some Reader’s Theater and puppet shows using scenes from Cavendish Home.  Here is a make your own marionette tutorial. And here are some other puppet ideas.  PS, this activity will make more sense AFTER you read the book.

Be sure to hand out butterscotch candies at your program! And have a pie eating contest.

If your readers like The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls by Claire Legrand, they may also like:
Colarine by Neil Gaiman
Matilda by Roald Dahl
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Jade Green, a ghost story by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
The Game of Sunken Places by M. T. Anderson
Darkside by Tom Becker
House of Stairs by William Sleator (older)
The Thief of Always by Cliver Barker (older)
Full Tilt by Neal Shusterman (older)
The Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby (older)
Treasure Box by Orson Scott Card (definitely ADULT)

Filed under: Claire Legrand, The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls