This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 If Stephen King wrote for children I imagine it would turn out a little something like this. 
 Victoria is a very special little girl. She likes everything a certain way and she's not afraid to say so. She's not your typical heroine - she's not the most popular or the nicest or anything like that. She's just a slightly bossy, head strong twelve year old who knows what she wants. And I think that is what makes her so admirable. I mean really, who is so sure of themself at that age? Not me. But I loved her confidence nd dedication. 
 I also loved that even though she comes off a little self absorbed she still stops at nothing to save her friend, Lawrence, when he goes missing. A good head on her shoulders AND brave. It's a pretty unstoppable combination. She's someone you would want to follow into battle. Someone you always want in your corner. No matter what the house threw at her, she found a way to deal. 
 Speaking of the house - it was a character in its own right. I love when locations become characters. It felt so real it was like I could reach out and touch it. Because the thing about The Cavendish Home is that it's not just a collection of boards and nails. It reacts to what's happening in and around it and it is always a little bit different. I think this was a brilliant concept and an incredibly imaginative one. When all is said and done it was the house that really sold the book for me. 
 The Cavendish Home For Boys and Girls is a middle grade novel with grim but sharp humour. There's elements of this story that are very reminiscent of The Witches by Roald Dahl. Remember how disturbed you felt when they were describing what the witches really looked like - you know all bald with the long fingernails and what not? Well that same creepy, disturbing feeling is present while reading this book. Claire Legrand, expertly uses all of those things that give us the creepy crawlies. The bugs especially. *shivers* I'm going to have bad dreams forever about those bugs. 
 Recommendation: This is a wonderfully creepy and brilliant book filled with an important message about being unique and that "perfect" isn't always "perfect." It's a book that assumes its readers are smart and responds accordingly. An absolutely delightful read for middle grade readers and older readers who love Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman.