A Stir of Bones by Nina Kiriki Hoffman

Published by

Sarah Ann

on

November 13, 2011

A Stir of Bones is the prequel to the books in the Red Heart of Memories series by Nina Kiriki Hoffman.

Set in the early 1980s, A Stir of Bones follows Susan, a young girl whose life is dictated by her strict, abusive, and violent father. To be away from home as much as possible, Susan takes on lots of school projects and visits the library often.

One day, Susan overhears a group of kids talking about visiting a haunted house. Intrigued, Susan introduces herself and joins them on their secret excursions.

Susan names the haunted house “House.” Whenever she enters House, she meets a ghost who lives there named Nathan. They become good friends and Susan decides to make a new home with the ghostly apparition of Nathan and House.

This book was very dry. It was also difficult to connect with any of the characters, including Susan.

My favorite parts in A Stir of Bones were Susan’s thoughts about 1980s computers and video games. I also enjoyed the parts where House scares away outsiders. The rest of the book was mainly stale dialogue between Susan and Nathan—about how Susan feels safe and happy with House and Nathan, and how she “wishes she could never leave,” and so on. I’m honestly surprised I was able to finish this book.

Other books by Nina Kiriki Hoffman include:

What did you think about A Stir of Bones? Was I supposed to read the other ones first?

Last Updated on December 2, 2025 by Sarah Ann

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