The Humming Room

By Ellen Potter

Potter, Ellen. The Humming Room. New York: Scholastic, Inc., 2012.

Roo Fanshaw is a young girl sent to live with her eccentric uncle when her father dies.  Living on Cough Rock Island is not anything like she expected.  The house she lives in is full of strange noises.  Even though she claims to not believe in ghosts, she hears things in the house and constantly wonders about the boy who lives on the river.  She knows that those around her are lying to her and she becomes determined to discover the truth.

This is an enchanting tale inspired by The Secret Garden.  A garden hidden in a mansion helps to bring a broken family back together.  Potter writes a beautiful tale filled with mystery and new friendships.  Each of the characters brings a certain nuance to the story that delivers a tale that falls in line with ghost stories and fairy tales.