Lewis Barnavelt
Encyclopedia
Lewis Barnavelt is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs
and Brad Strickland
. In each book, Lewis and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.
In 1948, Lewis' parents are killed in a sudden car accident, and Lewis moves to the fictional town of New Zebedee
, Michigan
, to live at 100 High Street with his uncle, Jonathan Barnavelt. Lewis soon learns the truth about his uncle, their neighbor Florence Zimmermann (a kindly witch) and their house, that Jonathan is a wizard and the house used to belong to a warlock, Isaac Izard and his wife Selenna. After Lewis unwittingly resurrects Selenna in an attempt to impress his friend Tarby (an act which drives the other boy away), Lewis helps to locate the clock that Isaac hid within the wall of the house and destroys it, sending the evil witch back to the grave permanently. After making friends with Rose Rita Pottinger
, Lewis continues his adventures over the next several years.
At the start of the series, Lewis is a shy, overweight ten-year-old boy who enjoys reading. He is at one point described by Rose Rita as a worrywart, albeit one who displays true courage in genuinely dangerous situations. Though often the target of bullies, Lewis has been known to stand up for himself at times, either with the aid of outside forces (such as Rose Rita's presence or the amulet of Eliphaz Moss) or later with his own courage. He has also been known to cause some of their supernatural problems, albeit accidentally, but more often than not will also be the one to help set things right.
In The House With a Clock in Its Walls, it is said that when Lewis grows up, he becomes an astronomer working at Mount Palomar, and will discover that the magic egg he received that first Christmas is capable of showing him scenes on other planets.
Author of "Co-Authored" denotes books outlined by John Bellairs
, completed by Brad Strickland
.
John Bellairs
John Anthony Bellairs was an American author, best known for his well-respected fantasy novel The Face in the Frost as well as many gothic mystery novels for young adults featuring Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday, and Johnny Dixon.-Biography:After earning degrees at University of Notre Dame and...
and Brad Strickland
Brad Strickland
William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia....
. In each book, Lewis and his group of friends face and overcome various evil forces usually bent on ending the world.
In 1948, Lewis' parents are killed in a sudden car accident, and Lewis moves to the fictional town of New Zebedee
Zebedee
Zebedee is a name which may refer to:-People:* Zebedee , father of James and John* Zebedee Armstrong , an American outsider artist...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, to live at 100 High Street with his uncle, Jonathan Barnavelt. Lewis soon learns the truth about his uncle, their neighbor Florence Zimmermann (a kindly witch) and their house, that Jonathan is a wizard and the house used to belong to a warlock, Isaac Izard and his wife Selenna. After Lewis unwittingly resurrects Selenna in an attempt to impress his friend Tarby (an act which drives the other boy away), Lewis helps to locate the clock that Isaac hid within the wall of the house and destroys it, sending the evil witch back to the grave permanently. After making friends with Rose Rita Pottinger
Rose Rita Pottinger
Rose Rita Pottinger is a fictional character who appears in a series of children's gothic horror novels by John Bellairs and Brad Strickland.The series is set in the late 1940s and early 1950s in the fictional town of New Zebedee, Michigan...
, Lewis continues his adventures over the next several years.
At the start of the series, Lewis is a shy, overweight ten-year-old boy who enjoys reading. He is at one point described by Rose Rita as a worrywart, albeit one who displays true courage in genuinely dangerous situations. Though often the target of bullies, Lewis has been known to stand up for himself at times, either with the aid of outside forces (such as Rose Rita's presence or the amulet of Eliphaz Moss) or later with his own courage. He has also been known to cause some of their supernatural problems, albeit accidentally, but more often than not will also be the one to help set things right.
In The House With a Clock in Its Walls, it is said that when Lewis grows up, he becomes an astronomer working at Mount Palomar, and will discover that the magic egg he received that first Christmas is capable of showing him scenes on other planets.
The House with a Clock in Its Walls (Jun 1973)
- "For Priscilla, who let me be myself."
- A boy goes to live with his magician uncle in a mansion that has a clock hidden in the walls which is ticking off the minutes until doomsday.
The Figure in the Shadows (1975)
- "For Don Wilcox, David Walters, and Jonathan Grandine. Friends who have been friends indeed."
- A painfully overweight sixth-grade boy receives a magic amulet which brings him luck, but also terrifying side effects.
The Letter, The Witch, and The Ring (Jan 1976)
- "For my son, Frank."
- A young girl takes a trip with a friend of the family only to get involved with a mysterious letter, a magic ring, and a powerful witch.
The Ghost in the Mirror (Apr 1993)
- NA Dedication
- Rose Rita Pottinger and Mrs. Zimmermann are transported back to 1828 to save the Weiss family from being destroyed by a wicked wizard.
The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder (Sep 1993)
- "To Richard Curtis, advisor and friend."
- In 1951, while visiting a distant cousin in the English countryside, thirteen-year-old Lewis Barnavelt accidentally unleases demonic forces and summons the ghost of an evil wizard bent on killing the Barnavelt family.
The Doom of the Haunted Opera (Sep 1995)
- "Thanks to Jeanne Sharp, reader and advisor. For Ann and Tony Lapietra, who helped me explore the haunted opera!"
- Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita Pottinger are faced with a dilemma when their discovery of an unpublished opera score unleases a wicked sorcerer who plans to rule the world by bringing back the dead.
The Specter From The Magician's Museum (Mar 1998)
- "For Bob and Elaine Lund, whose museum shows that the secret of magic is people."
- When the evil sorceress Belle Frisson ensnares Rose Rita Pottinger in a magic web in order to steal her life force, Lewis Barnavelt must risk his own life to save his friend.
The Beast Under the Wizard's Bridge (2000)
- "For Barbara, with all my love."
- Lewis Barnavelt tries to avert disaster when the destruction of an old bridge threatens to release a diabolical force, the legacy of a long-dead evil magician.
The Tower at the End of the World (Sep 2001)
- "In memory of three, who will be forever missed. John Bellairs. Frank Bellairs. Edward Gorey."
- Lewis and Rose Rita battle Ishmael Izard, the son of the magician who tried to destroy the world with the Doomsday Clock.
The Whistle, The Grave, and The Ghost (Aug 2003)
- "This one is for the fans I've met at compleatbellairs. Keep the faith, all!"
- In the woods near his home in Michigan, thirteen-year-old Lewis Barnavelt stumbles upon an ancient grave and silver whistle that draw him, his best friend Rose Rita Pottinger, his uncle Jonathan, and their friend Mrs. Zimmermann into a battle with an ancient evil.
The House Where Nobody Lived (Oct 2006)
- "For Amy, my daughter, who always sees the magic."
- Twelve-year-old Lewis and his best friend Rose Rita investigate a strange old house in their home town and discover that they may be dealing with powerful ancient Hawaiian spirits.
The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer (Oct 2008)
- "To Jonathan, my juggling son."
- In Michigan in the mid-1950s, Lewis Barnavelt is convinced that the series of accidents he and his uncle are experiencing are the result of a curse by a mysterious, hooded figure that may be part of his uncle's past.
Novel Series Bibliography
| # | Title | Month | Year | # Chapter | # Page | Author | Illustrator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | The House with a Clock in its Walls The House with a Clock in Its Walls The House With a Clock in Its Walls is a gothic horror novel directed at child readers. It was written by John Bellairs and originally published in 1973. The book was illustrated by Edward Gorey.-Plot:... |
Jun | 1973 | 11 | 179 | John Bellairs John Bellairs John Anthony Bellairs was an American author, best known for his well-respected fantasy novel The Face in the Frost as well as many gothic mystery novels for young adults featuring Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday, and Johnny Dixon.-Biography:After earning degrees at University of Notre Dame and... |
Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 02 | The Figure in the Shadows | 1975 | 13 | 155 | John Bellairs John Bellairs John Anthony Bellairs was an American author, best known for his well-respected fantasy novel The Face in the Frost as well as many gothic mystery novels for young adults featuring Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday, and Johnny Dixon.-Biography:After earning degrees at University of Notre Dame and... |
Mercer Mayer Mercer Mayer Mercer Mayer is an American children's book writer and illustrator. He has published over 300 books using a wide range of illustrative styles... |
|
| 03 | The Letter, the Witch, and the Ring | Jan | 1976 | 13 | 188 | John Bellairs John Bellairs John Anthony Bellairs was an American author, best known for his well-respected fantasy novel The Face in the Frost as well as many gothic mystery novels for young adults featuring Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday, and Johnny Dixon.-Biography:After earning degrees at University of Notre Dame and... |
Richard Egielski Richard Egielski Richard Egielski is an American illustrator most famous for Hey, Al, a book that Arthur Yorinks wrote, but for which Egielski won the 1987 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations... |
| 04 | The Ghost in the Mirror | Apr | 1993 | 13 | 169 | Co-Authored | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 05 | The Vengeance of the Witch-finder | Sep | 1993 | 15 | 153 | Co-Authored | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 06 | The Doom of the Haunted Opera | Sep | 1995 | 16 | 153 | Co-Authored | Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 07 | The Specter from the Magician's Museum | Mar | 1998 | 16 | 149 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
| 08 | The Beast Under the Wizard's Bridge | 2000 | 15 | 151 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Edward Gorey Edward Gorey Edward St. John Gorey was an American writer and artist noted for his macabre illustrated books.-Early life:... |
|
| 09 | The Tower at the End of the World | Sep | 2001 | 15 | 146 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
S. D. Schindler |
| 10 | The Whistle, the Grave, and the Ghost | Aug | 2003 | 14 | 152 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
S. D. Schindler |
| 11 | The House Where Nobody Lived | Oct | 2006 | 18 | 173 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Bart Goldman |
| 12 | The Sign of the Sinister Sorcerer | Oct | 2008 | 13 | 168 | Brad Strickland Brad Strickland William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia.... |
Bart Goldman |
Author of "Co-Authored" denotes books outlined by John Bellairs
John Bellairs
John Anthony Bellairs was an American author, best known for his well-respected fantasy novel The Face in the Frost as well as many gothic mystery novels for young adults featuring Lewis Barnavelt, Anthony Monday, and Johnny Dixon.-Biography:After earning degrees at University of Notre Dame and...
, completed by Brad Strickland
Brad Strickland
William Bradley Strickland is an American author known primarily for his fantasy and science fiction. He was born in New Holland, Georgia....
.