Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Thornhill
Thornhill | Pam Smy
Parallel stories set in different times, one told in prose and one in pictures, converge as a girl unravels the mystery of the abandoned Thornhill Institute next door. 1982: Mary is a lonely orphan at the Thornhill Institute For Children at the very moment that it's shutting its doors. When her few friends are all adopted or re-homed and she's left to face a volatile bully alone, her revenge will have a lasting effect on the bully, on Mary, and on Thornhill itself. 2017: Ella has just moved to a new town where she knows no one. From her room on the top floor of her new home, she has a perfect view of the dilapidated, abandoned Thornhill Institute across the way, where she glimpses a girl in the window. Determined to befriend the girl and solidify the link between them, Ella resolves to unravel Thornhill's shadowy past.Told in alternating, interwoven plotlines--Mary's through intimate diary entries and Ella's in bold, striking art--Pam Smy's Thornhill is a haunting exploration of human connection, filled with suspense.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
BookwormAHN
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick
Bookwomble Fantastic cover illustration 😍 2mo
TheSpineView 🧡📖🖤🎃🧡 2mo
Catsandbooks 👏🏼👻🧡 2mo
41 likes3 comments
blurb
BookwormAHN
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Here is part 1 of my #HauntedShelf tbr. This one is also for #BookSpin and #KeepOrDonate 🐈‍⬛
#BlackCatCrew
@TheAromaofBooks @julieclair

AnnCrystal Scary stories to tell in the dark! 📚👏😎👍💝. 3mo
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3mo
julieclair Looks like lots of good reading ahead! 3mo
46 likes3 comments
blurb
BookwormAHN
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
review
Canwenot
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

A chilling tale of loneliness that gripped me from the very start. Getting to know both Mary and Ella through both prose and picture truly brings you into the mystery and haunting of Thornhill. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

review
BookishTrish
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Mehso-so

This was not for me in the same way that 13 Reasons Why was not for me. Smy told the story well, it just wasn‘t a story I wanted to read.

ShelleyBooksie Beautiful Christmas lights!! 4y
LibrarianRyan I completely agree. I was disappointed with this story as well 4y
BarbaraBB Wonderful picture 👌🏽 4y
See All 8 Comments
BookishTrish @librarianryan Especially given the age group it is being marketed too; it seems to present suicide as a solution / means of belonging. 4y
TheAromaofBooks I felt the same way as you mentioned in your spoiler. It seemed like the overall takeaway from this book was quite harmful, especially considering its targeted age group. It definitely seemed to imply that sometimes the bullies are right & there really isn't a reason worth living. 4y
BookishTrish @TheAromaofBooks Exactly how I read it! As a librarian, I‘m glad I read it because there was so much buzz, but I wouldn‘t recommend it on the job... 4y
TheAromaofBooks Exactly - like the story itself was completely engaging & the artwork was wonderful. I'm not a big horror fan but this one had a dark edge that really pulled the reader along - but then I got to the end & was really disappointed by the direction the author decided to conclude. I'm not sure if it was to leave a creepy feeling because now another kid had moved in next door & could see the girls...?? 4y
BookishTrish @TheAromaofBooks I think she used pretty standard horror tropes well - and like you say the creepy feeling lingers - I just don‘t feel the direction she took the story in made it appropriate for middle grade readers. 4y
53 likes8 comments
review
cherylmorton
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

This spooky gem was the perfect final read for October. The dual story line is half picture and half prose and they meshed wonderfully, with one image that gave me the chills like nothing else I have read this year.

blurb
Cosmos_Moon_River
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

1. My husbands 39th birthday... I got a ton of friends together for a surprise party in our back yard... when I was also 9 months pregnant 😂 it was a great time!
2. Almost through week 2 of kids in school, and got a vet visit Saturday for the new puppy 🐶

#ThankfulThursday

Butterfinger Thanks for the tag. 4y
26 likes1 comment
blurb
magyklyXdelish
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

August was definitely one of my best months in a while! Thornhill was definitely my fave of the month. Only 2 DNF‘s so not too shabby. Only two 5 ⭐️‘s and that was Thornhill and Brave

#AugustRoundUp

review
quietlycuriouskate
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

Once again I must apologise for having gone AWOL: I have been half-deranged with the heat and lack of sleep. This book was good, though hardly provides an uplifting message for the deeply introverted amongst us (see spoiler comment below)! Of the parallel narratives, it was interesting how it's Mary that's mute but it's Ella's story that unfolds wordlessly. The artwork made for an absorbing read.

quietlycuriouskate This would suggest that bullying and/or abandonment is our lot, and that we'll find a true friend only after death. As I said, it's not exactly uplifting. 4y
35 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
magyklyXdelish
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

This was a beautiful and heartbreaking story that follows the life of a little girl named Mary who has selective mutism through her diary entries while she is living at thornhill. The illustrations follow a girl named Ella who moved in next door decades later. My love for this graphic novel cannot be overstated. I‘m only sad it took me this long to read it.

Another one knocked off for #BookSpinBingo

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
22 likes1 comment
blurb
magyklyXdelish
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

I‘ve had this on my shelf since January. If not for #BookSpinBingo I‘m not sure when I would have gotten around to it. Excited to dig into this beast 🖤

Heideschrampf Oooh this was a feast! 4y
27 likes2 stack adds1 comment
blurb
DebinHawaii
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

#FebruaryFeels #FaveGraphicNovel

I don‘t read many graphic novels so I don‘t know that I have a favorite, but this melancholy, slightly creepy YA ghostly tale was really good & the illustrations were gorgeous.🖤

Eggs The cover is amazing 🖤🖤 5y
Cathythoughts Yes @Eggs this is a great cover ❤️ 5y
65 likes2 stack adds2 comments
review
Cosmos_Moon_River
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

A book read to my boys. I think I enjoyed it more than them, although they were mostly engaged, my 8-yo said he didn‘t like it much at the end, and my 6-yo was playing his spelling game for school... not as much as a hit as the last graphic novel we read. I, however, think it is a gem.

review
AmberWB
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

This book was so delightfully creepy and unique. The format flipped from journal entries to graphic novel, paralleling the experiences of two lonely girls over the course of 30 years. I was not expecting the ending, but it was perfect. Highly recommend.

StayCurious Cool Pic! 5y
Sace Yes, very cool pic. 5y
JoScho Great photo Amber 🖤 5y
43 likes4 comments
review
Avanders
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

This was sweet, and sad, and haunting, and wonderful to hold in your hands. Half graphic novel & half diary-form story, half in the past, half in the present, it moves quickly & takes you mostly where you expect to go, with a small surprise or two along the way. I confess there were a few points where I expected something different, but I found it all very satisfying in the end. A fun read on Halloween day!
🎃🎃🎃🎃

Thanks again @lele1432 !! 😘😘

KT1432 You're so welcome! I'm glad you liked it! I've added it to my own TBR. 😊 5y
aprilpohren I loved this one!! 5y
85 likes2 stack adds3 comments
blurb
Bookishaf
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Happy Halloween! Loving this one so far and I‘m nervous and excited to see where it goes. #halloween

thereadingowlvina Oh, this is an interesting one! I liked it 🙂 5y
25 likes1 comment
blurb
Bookishaf
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Happy Halloween! Loving this one so far and I‘m nervous and excited to see where it goes.

blurb
Avanders
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Wow thank you so much @lele1432 !!! You spoiled me!! I 💗 your book choices &, guys, this pic doesn‘t do it justice but Thornhill is sooo pretty. & the fairytale socks!!! 😍😍 & thank you for the mask & cocoas & 🍂 bookmark too!! I can‘t wait to try that tea — it‘s been on my radar for a hot minute!! Also, not shown: chocolate eaten by husband & son immediately (& maybe me) & card that sings, confiscated by son. Thank you!!! 🖤🎃🧡♥️🖤🎃♥️

Avanders Also thank you to @LibrarianRyan for hosting this super fun #nightmareswap !! 🖤🎃 5y
LibrarianRyan yeahhh. I love those socks!1 5y
KT1432 Hahaha at the candy and card being confiscated! 😂 Yayyy so glad you liked everything!! Enjoy!! 🤗 5y
See All 13 Comments
Avanders Oh PS I think this can also count for the #ScreamathonPhotoChallenge ? #Screamathon @4thhouseontheleft #Halloween #HappyHalloween 💀 (edited) 5y
Avanders @LibrarianRyan they‘re so cute!! @lele1432 😁 And yes I love it all! Thank you again!! 🥰♥️🥰 5y
Jee_HookedOnBookz Wowwwwww! 😍😍 What a generous delightful package! Love those socks! Where can I get them @lele1432? 5y
KT1432 @Avanders you're so welcome! @Jee_HookedOnBookz hahaha aww thanks, Amazon! Aletheia had a very helpful Amazon wishlist I saw them on! 😊 5y
AmyG Look at all those great socks! The Woman in the Woods was very good. 5y
Gissy Those socks😱😍🖤🖤🖤🖤 5y
TorieStorieS Enjoy the John Connolly- he is one of my very favorites!!! 5y
Chrissyreadit The socks are amazing! 5y
73 likes13 comments
review
ephemeralwaltz
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

Getting my Halloween on! 👻 I just breezed through this MG part-graphic novel part-diary novel in which two timelines, two formats and two lonely girls converge. Mary, in 1982, is a lonely orphan at Thornhill Institute whose troubles stem from something far worse than ghosts... Ella, in 2017, moves into a new house near the abandoned Thornhill but is sure that someone still lives there...
It's sweet, sad, creepy, beautiful 💔

ephemeralwaltz For more info, this awesome review article in the NYT --> For more info --> https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/books/review/thornhill-pam-smy.html 5y
Sace I think this was a #blameitonlitsy purchase I made last year (or the year before?) I should try to find my copy. 5y
ephemeralwaltz @Sace definitely! 5y
See All 8 Comments
rather_be_reading ohhhh 😍 5y
Kalalalatja Sounds interesting! 5y
Clare-Dragonfly Ooh, I don‘t usually like dual timelines like this but everything else sounds exactly up my alley. I‘ll have to give it a try! 5y
ephemeralwaltz @Clare-Dragonfly one is told solely through illustration and the other through diary entries so it makes it all the more gripping! 😘 5y
BekaReid This sounds intriguing! 5y
48 likes3 stack adds8 comments
blurb
NahanDancause
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Thornhill is about a mew girl named Ella Clarke that just moved to a new town.Every one treated her like outside untel she sees a girl at abanded house. If u like books that are scary , paranormal then this is the book for u.

MissYaremcio Thank you for the review Nathan! For your next assignment, I want you to make sure that you are including all elements of the assignment (you were missing the tone)! And watch your spelling! 5y
LibrarianRyan What did you think about the two tone telling of the tale, how Ella's story is told in pictures, and the other girls story is told in words? 5y
4 likes2 comments
review
erzascarletbookgasm
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

So much sadness and cruelty in this story. The build up of the story is good and kept me in suspense. I loved the format between the two timelines - diary entries and illustrations. The evocative images, paired with the narrative in the diary which is full of emotions, make this a sad and unsettling read.

Book 2 for #ScreamathonReadingChallenge
#Screamathon RC

Nute Fantastic review, Jessie! I knew about this book, but had forgotten about the intrigue of the format. Pushing this to the forefront again! Thanks for the reminder with your post!🙂 5y
erzascarletbookgasm @Nute Thank you! 💕Hope you‘ll get to read it soon. 👍 5y
alisiakae Great review! 5y
71 likes2 stack adds3 comments
review
BookishGamer87
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

This was a lot sadder than I expected it to be. But the last 100 pages or so it got kinda creepy (it is MG, so I wasn't expecting to be terrified or anything). I loved how it was part diary entries and part graphic novel as well.

review
LibrarianRyan
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Mehso-so

2.5 🌟
I feel this book has been over hyped. For a while there every October people pulled it‘s dark pages out and said it was the haunted house book middle graders are craving. I heard everything from a middle grade version of House on Haunted Hill, to a shorter version of Rose Madder. Ummmmmm, I think not. To me this feels more like Flowers in the Attic by way of Brian Selznick without the incest.

DGRachel Well, at least it skips the incest... 😱 5y
65 likes2 comments
review
LibrarianRyan
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Mehso-so

Not as good as I was expecting. Longer review later.

blurb
LibrarianRyan
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Spent the day In Amish country. Went to the Broomcorn Festival. Almost bought a perfect HP broom but it was hot and the line was way too long. The. To Beacheys, an Amish dry goods bulk store, and lunch at Yoders. Then home. I used to live just a few miles away, but now it was a bit of a drive. josh and our Friend Dan joined us. Finally home and settling down with the tagged book

mabell Sounds fun! 5y
86 likes3 stack adds1 comment
review
Sweetkokoro
Thornhill | Pam Smy
This post contains spoilers
show me
post image
Mehso-so

I have mixed feelings about this book. As an adult reading this I can understand the way the story ended in a creepy horror way. As a 12yr, I don‘t feel this is something they should read. It deals with bullying but the bully goes unpunished & the end makes it seem like Mary commits suicide because of the torment caused by the bully. And then its really unclear if Ella is murdered by the spirit of Mary or if by total freak lightning accident.

Sweetkokoro The ending just didn‘t settle well, and I know its unrealistic to think all bullying can be handled and taken care of, its the idea that a 12 committed suicide that is unsettling in the fact that it is possible. This is something i feel very few select kids could handle reading. They style of half comic half written was interesting. 5y
GrilledCheeseSamurai That's a baller cover! 5y
9 likes2 comments
blurb
TheWordJar
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

I guess my reading attention span is pretty short these days. Maybe that‘s why nothing has really stuck over the past few months. But this one is going well. A graphic novel combined with journal entries. The illustrations are great and detailed (I usually find myself turning back the pages and reviewing them), and combined with the journal entries, it‘s making for a very creepy, atmospheric read.

52 likes1 stack add
blurb
m.galehuxley
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Next read. I love the art in this one. I would‘ve adored this as a kid.

32 likes1 stack add
review
Elanor25
Thornhill | Pam Smy
Pickpick

No creo que sea un libro para todos, sin embargo, no deja de ser maravilloso. Es de esos libros que, en medio de lo espeluznante que pueda parecer, te llega al corazón. La historia de estas dos niñas enlazadas a través de un diario ha sido una de mis lecturas del año.
OJO: hay un tema fuerte sobre la muerte, la soledad y el maltrato de fondo. Si sos sensible a esto, probablemente sea mejor buscar otro título.

blurb
Sara_Planz
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Saw this in my clearance section and couldn‘t resist picking it up. I think it will be perfect for a rainy day.

Lizpixie I loved this! Has just the right balance of empathy & chills. Plus the art is fantastic👍 6y
Sara_Planz @Lizpixie agreed. Wonderfully creepy as well as deeply riveting. A poignant mix of story and art. Loved it! 6y
50 likes2 stack adds2 comments
blurb
JoScho
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

I had to take some close up shots of all my wonderful treats! I can‘t wait to frame that picture! Thanks again @Gissy #allhallowsreadswap

tpixie 🧡🖤🧡 6y
LauraJ Very nice haul! You‘re going to enjoy those books. 6y
102 likes2 comments
review
Gissy
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

Another book read during the spookathon challenge. I will like not to spoil anything here but there is a girl, a diary and a neighbor girl?🤔Maybe.One of the girl makes puppets the other one just write in her diary. How both are connected? This is a graphic novel and I found the story very sad😢A little bit confusing but a re-read will help me to understand better the story. The illustrations are ok but they help you to understand the story.3.4⭐️

JoRead I see you The Sanderson sisters are keeping you company 😉 6y
Gissy @JoRead Yes! I loved that movie. Bette Midler was so funny in that movie!☺️ 6y
39 likes2 comments
review
mrp27
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

#booked2018 #spookyread

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Initially I choose The Halloween Tree by Bradbury but it wasn't spooky enough so I tried this one and I really liked it! Told in dual time lines and part novel part graphic novel a young girl named Ella explores the mysteries of the abandoned Thornhill. This was the perfect amount of creepy and spooky for me.

Cinfhen Nice photo and I like that you choose to read a spookier book!!! You take your challenge prompts very serious🤓😘 6y
mrp27 @Cinfhen Thanks! 🤗 6y
41 likes2 comments
blurb
mrp27
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

#31bookpics #pagenumber

Started this one tonight for #booked2018 . This is about as spooky as I get.

42 likes2 stack adds
review
dizie_lizie
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

3.5⭐️ A very atmospheric ghost story with parallel plot lines, one told with art and the other with words. I enjoyed this one last October but I think I might give it a reread this month. Super easy to read in one fairly short sitting.

Day 11: #black #blackcatchallenge

review
WeeziesBooks
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

What a strange book. I enjoyed the story being told through pictures and old journal entries... this was a quick, atmospheric read!

17 likes3 stack adds
blurb
WeeziesBooks
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Thank you SO much @aprilpohren for such a thoughtful swap! I collect owls, too, and was happily surprised to find the cute owl figurine and dish towel! Thanks @JoeStalksBeck for hosting! #myfavoritebookswap #mfbs

review
Aliking1986
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

Beautifully illustrated, atmospheric and nicely plotted. The dual storylines work well side by side and it's a refreshing take on the gothic form. It was very genuine, devastating at points and I can see why it resonates so well with young people. I really loved it and I think everyone should read it!

review
aprilpohren
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

Just finished this and it is AMAZING! I loved the uniqueness of the 2 stories together, told completely differently and intertwining perfectly! Thornhill is the story of 2 young girls, 1 during 1982 and told in diary format and the other girl in the present time, told in illustrations. The story is both eerie and heartwrenching. So amazing.

34 likes1 stack add
blurb
aprilpohren
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

#JB I have done one of these fun questionnaires for awhile!
1. Purple
2. Bookmarks, mugs, fun pens and pencils, Funkos
3. Yes
4. YA, paranormal
5. Any! Especially magnetic.
6. 3/16/197=

blurb
raeintheworld
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Found this in the stacks at the library today.

28 likes2 stack adds
blurb
aprilpohren
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

This really touched me.

blurb
aprilpohren
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

Just grabbed these at the library!

review
teebe
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

Only mildly creepy but thoroughly enjoyable. A sort of cross between The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Shirley Jackson. Somewhat predictable in the way that middle-grade books tend to be. Great atmosphere, loved the art.

41 likes1 stack add
blurb
toofondofbooks
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

BAM has all their bargain books B2G1. I've read all of these just needed copies for my shelves. Thornhill which I read and loved but never wanted to pay the 19.99 list price i got free!

#bookhaul

review
Mimi28
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image
Pickpick

I really liked this book. It‘s a little creepy, and the main character reminds me of myself and my struggles as a child. Otherwise 👍 four 🌟🌟🌟🌟 🌚🌚

68 likes2 stack adds
blurb
Mimi28
Thornhill | Pam Smy
post image

1) Any of the luxurious houses and mansions in Oak Park, IL. 2) No, don‘t want to take a chance making the cats sick. 3) Only cool bookmarks 4) Eh, depends on my mood and if I have a deadline 4) litter duty/ getting rid of cat pee odor- it follows you everywhere!! #tellmetuesday @Ke633

Ke633 Thanks for sharing!! 6y
39 likes1 comment