The House of One Hundred Clocks

By A M Howell (Usborne Publishing Ltd)

The House of One Hundred Clocks By A M Howell

Danniella's review
This is a great book. I loved Orbit, the parrot, but also the main character, Helena. She had a really interesting personality. I was fascinated by her life in the shop full of clocks.

The book is set in 1905. I learnt lots about that time from the book. People had to wash and dry clothes using a bucket and a stick. Their phones were attached to the walls. They cooked everything from scratch. 

The thing that most stood out for me was the relationship between Helena and Orbit. They understand one another and seem to really communicate, despite the fact they can’t talk to each other. 

The whole book is beautifully descriptive. The language inspired me. Sometimes, it became a little confusing because there was so much going on, but it was a wonderful story. I’d recommend it to everyone age 10+

Polly's review
The story is about a young girl around my age, called Helena. She moves to Cambridge with her father and parrot, Orbit. This is because her father has been appointed as a clock winder for a very wealthy man, called Mr Westcott.

As Helena settles in to Cambridge, she makes a strong bond with Mr Westcott’s daughter. At first, she thinks the daughter is called Boy. Soon however, she finds out that she is called, Florence. Helena has lots of questions in her mind about Florence like, “Where is her mother?” She is determined to find out. Helena also wants to know about Florence’s mysterious aunt, Miss Westcott who keeps hiding letters. Helena and Florence need to find out why…

I recommend this book because you never know what will happen next. There is always a question to answer. You will go on an adventure with Helena and her friends.

Arlo's review
This book is about a little girl and her father. The girl called Helena meets a girl called Boy! Orbit the parrot is the only thing left of her mother. Her dad winds the clocks of Mr Westcott but will they keep them ticking?

It was set in June 1905. I learnt that they have a horse and carriage called A Hansom Cab instead of a taxi. This book wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read. It was boring but at Chapter 20 called “Mr Fox” it started to get good because the plot got more mysterious!

My favourite character was Orbit because he said lots of funny things. My least favourite character was Helena. She was a bit dull and uninteresting.

The plot stood out, it was all about winding up clocks so they don’t stop. I would 70% recommend it! Time went very slowly while reading the book.*

I learnt a new word: scudding. It means moving fast in a straight line. Generally a good book.

*best for kids over 8…

3.5/5 stars

Kinana's review
'The House of One Hundred Clocks' is an interesting whodunit story by A.M Howell, with a theme of grief, mystery and moving on from the past. The intricate cover sparked my interest and the plot was just as intriguing! Set in the Edwardian era (1905), when women were beginning to fight for their rights, and other inventions were emerging, like the vacuum cleaner, the telephone and development in flight, this book is set in Cambridge and all starts with a man hired for clocks, and his daughter. My favourite character is Helena, the protagonist, due to her personality and natural sense of curiosity. The event that I enjoyed most in the story is when Helena views the clocks for the very first time; I was really absorbed into this book and I couldn't put it down! I would recommend this book to people of all ages, perhaps those who enjoy an intricate, fast-paced plot as much as I do and I would give this book a rating of 5 out of 5.

Emily's review
The story is about a girl called Helena. She moves with Orbit, her parrot, to Cambridge, so that her dad can be a clock-winder for one of the wealthiest men in England.

Helena’s dad has to make sure that the clocks never stop but then Helena finds some clocks that aren’t moving…

Helena explores the house and finds clues to help her find out what happened in the house before the clocks stopped moving.

I enjoyed reading this story. It is an interesting mystery, I think some of my friends would enjoy it too.

Atticus's review

The plot was ok. I would have liked it more if it was a bit more exiting and if it had a few more twists.

I liked it because it was letting me know about the characters personalities.

My favourite part was when Helena called for Orbit but she was sleeping. I liked it because it made me laugh. 

My favourite characters are Orbit because he’s funny and colourful. I recommend this to children age 7-10 because it has very tricky vocabulary. 

Star rating 3 out of 4

Isla's review
I loved this spectacular book.

Although it was quite puzzling a first, I soon understood it. I was surprised though when I found out Mr Westcott had a daughter and a son (spoiler!).  The details about life in Cambridge in 1905 were fascinating.

After reading this cliffhanger of a story, I am looking out for another mysterious book by this author.

Owen's review
This book will fill you with wonder! The house of 100 clocks is set in 1905 Cambridge. Helena’s dad signned a unfair contract that if the clocks stop they have to give Mr Westcott all  of there possessions. I think the book is really good to read but I don’t have a favourite part yet because I haven’t finished reading it. It has adventures because Helena explores the house. The characters are Orbit he is funny and loved. Helena is kind and helpful. Helena’s dad needs help to keep the clocks ticking. Mr Westcott is mean and rich. Mrs Westcott is nice and rich.

My favourite character is Orbit because he says funny things like hickory dickory dock. I would recommend this book to people at least 7 years old. 

My star rating would be  4 out of 4.

Yusuf's review

  • Did you enjoy the book? Yes. I learnt a lot of interesting facts.
  • Which of the characters did you find most interesting? Why? Helena and her parrot, Orbit. They knew what was happening and what to do.
  • Which of the characters (if any) you did not like. Why? I did not dislike any one.
  • What made the history or the time it was set in interesting to you? It was very scary back in the day.
  • Was the plot exciting, thought-provoking, serious or light-hearted (or any mixture of these)? All of these. It was very self-explanatory.
  • What most stands out for you from the book? The words. They were a bit mischievous.
  • Would you recommend it to other children? Yes. Children would learn lots of facts and words they probably don’t know.
  • Did you learn any new words or facts as a result of the story? Yes. Renewed. Nuzzled. Conservator.

Raiyan's review

  • Did you enjoy the book? Yes. The book had a variety of distinctive vocabulary.
  • Which of the characters did you find most interesting? Why? Helena. She took a parrot with her everywhere she went.
  • Which of the characters (if any) you did not like. Why? I did not dislike any characters.
  • What made the history or the time it was set in interesting to you? It was set near World War One.
  • Was the plot exciting, thought-provoking, serious or light-hearted (or any mixture of these)? The book had a mysterious yet exciting plot.
  • What most stands out for you from the book? When Helena found about the house, like the ghost and strange notes.
  • Would you recommend it to other children? Yes. It had a unique and interesting storyline.
  • Did you learn any new words or facts as a result of the story? Yes. Omit. Engrave.

Abelina's review

  • Did you enjoy the book? Yes. I enjoyed how Helena had a parrot because I love animals. I want to read more of A.M. Howell’s books.
  • Which of the characters did you find most interesting? Why?Helena. She was cool.
  • Which of the characters (if any) you did not like. Why? I enjoyed all the characters.
  • What made the history or the time it was set in interesting to you? It was set in 1905 and all the books I have read set in the 1900s always have something peculiar in them.
  • Was the plot exciting, thought-provoking, serious or light-hearted (or any mixture of these)? Exciting. After I had read it I knew A.M. Howell had thought very hard about the plot.
  • What most stands out for you from the book? Instead of The House of One Hundred Toys, or something like that, A.M. Howell had made it The House of One Hundred Clocks.
  • Would you recommend it to other children? Yes.
    Did you learn any new words or facts as a result of the story? 
    Yes. Squabbling.

Maryam's review

  • Did you enjoy the book? Yes. It was intricate and interesting.
  • Which of the characters did you find most interesting? Why? Helena. She was curious about what would happened to clocks if they stopped.
  • Was the plot exciting, thought-provoking, serious or light-hearted (or any mixture of these)? Exciting. Whenever I read one page I wanted to find what happened next.
  • What most stands out for you from the book? The cover. It tells some of the story.
  • Would you recommend it to other children? Yes. I enjoyed it.
  • Did you learn any new words or facts as a result of the story? Yes. Unwound. Interpreted.


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