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Description
From Edgar nominee and author of critically acclaimed The Whispers comes a tale of friendship, found family, and the knowledge that even in death, those we love never really leave us. Now in paperback! When twelve-year-old Ben Turner's mom unexpectedly passes away, he's forced into the care of the only living relative he has left--a grandmother he's never met who lives in a place he's never been. To Ben, who most recently called bustling Nashville home, the quiet of Rutledge, South Carolina is worlds away from the happy life he had with his mother. Upon arriving at his grandmother's house, Ben is dumbfounded by the large, stone and brick building that greets him. Clifton House appears far more haunted mansion than house and Ben can't get over the fact that this is where his mom grew up. Inside, Ben is surprised to see clocks--clocks of all shapes and sizes on the walls, mantels and tables. What's even more surprising, is that none of the clocks tell the correct time and some even seem to be moving backwards. Before Ben can ask too many questions, his stern grandmother tells him there are two rules that must be followed at Clifton House: never touch the clocks and never go up to the third floor. But on his very first night, Ben hears footsteps and hushed whispers--all seeming to come from the third floor. Soon Ben begins to suspect there's something more to Clifton House than broken clocks and dusty old furniture. Is it poltergeists? Or something to do with the very fabric of time itself? With the help of two new friends, Ollie and Ash, Ben embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of Clifton House and his grandmother. Along the way, just maybe he can forget the pain of missing his mother and forgive her for leaving him alone.
Publication date
August 25, 2026
Genre
Fiction
Page Count
320
ISBN-13
9780593111932
Lexile Measure
680
Publisher
Nancy Paulsen Books
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship JUV064000 - Juvenile Fiction | Time Travel JUV060000 - Juvenile Fiction | LGBT
Booklist
After taking this irrepressible cast through hope and heartbreak, the author dishes up a final twist with alternate endings one offering cozy resolution, the other a dramatic promise of further adventures in the time stream. Let readers pick their preference.
Kirkus Reviews
An orphan stumbles upon adventures and tragic revelations beyond his wildest imaginings.
Publishers Weekly
In this twisty time-travel adventure from Howard (The Visitors), recently unearthed family secrets propel a grieving tween on a mission to change the past. Following his mother's death, 12-year-old Ben, who reads as white, moves to small-town Rutledge, S.C., to live with his maternal grandmother Martha, whom he's never met. Her home, Clifton House, is old, imposing, and filled with creepy clocks, all of which are set to different times. Stern and emotionally distant Martha sets two rules: "Never touch the clocks... and never go up to the third floor." When Ben begins hearing voices coming from the third story and grows increasingly unsettled by Clifton House, he enlists two new friends to investigate the dwelling's secrets. After the trio stumble upon a portal that transports them to 2004, they encounter a kid version of Ben's mother, and as he learns more about his family's past, he becomes convinced that he can change it and impact the future for the better. Thoughtful character dynamics explore intergenerational grief and trauma as Ben attempts to rectify past wrongs, faces somber present-day realities, and comes to terms with his loss. It's a quietly intimate story suggesting that healing can be found through sincere connection. Ages 10-up. Agent: Brianne Johnson, HG Literary. (Aug.)
Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
School Library Journal
Gr 5 Up--Ben is a gay middle schooler who has been living in Nashville with his single mom. When his mom dies, he is sent to live in South Carolina with his grandmother, whom he has never met. She is not a warm or welcoming figure, and her house is imposing and a little creepy. There are two strict rules: he's not allowed to touch the many clocks that are around Clifton House (including the one that seems to run backwards), and he's not allowed on the third floor. Ben meets Ollie and Ash at the library. They are both intrigued by the house where Ben is living and as the trio explores, they are shocked to find a time traveling portal on the forbidden third floor; but no one has a clear idea of how to make it work. The story has big themes of complex familial relationships, found family, friendship, the consequences of choices, grief, and healing. There's also a lovely, nuanced element of romance that helps round out Ben's character. This is a wonderful mystery book with intriguing plot twists and heartrending emotions. Ben and Ash are white; Ollie is Black. VERDICT A terrific addition to middle school or high school libraries needing well-written science fiction mysteries with relatable characters.--Debbie Tanner
Copyright 2026 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Greg Howard grew up near the coast of South Carolina. His hometown of Georgetown is known as the "Ghost Capital of the South" (seriously...there's a sign), and was always a great source of material for his overactive imagination. Raised in a staunchly religious home, Greg escaped into the arts: singing, playing piano, acting, writing songs, and making up stories. Currently, Greg resides in Nashville, Tennessee, with his husband, Steve, and their three rescued fur babies Molly, Toby, and Riley.
