89 pages • 2 hours read
T. J. KluneThe House in the Cerulean Sea
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In T.J. Klune's The House in the Cerulean Sea, Linus Baker, a caseworker for the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, is sent on a secret assignment to evaluate an orphanage for magical children run by Arthur Parnassus. Initially wary, Linus gradually forms deep bonds with the children and Arthur, leading him to reconsider his life and advocate for the orphanage's future. Discussions of child abuse, body shaming, and forced institutionalization appear in this book.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
T. J. Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea is widely praised for its heartwarming and whimsical narrative, rich character development, and themes of acceptance and self-discovery. Some critics mention a predictable plot and overt sentimentality, but overall, the book is celebrated as a feel-good, inclusive fantasy that resonates with readers of all ages.
Who Should Read The House in the Cerulean Sea?
Readers who cherish heartwarming, whimsical tales and moral introspection will enjoy T. J. Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea. Comparable to fans of Neil Gaiman's The Ocean at the End of the Lane or Ransom Riggs's Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, this book blends fantasy with poignant, character-driven storytelling.
RecommendedReading Age
14+yearsLexile Level
HL620LBook Details
Fantasy
Magical Realism
Romance
Natural World: Nurture v. Nature
Relationships: Family
Values/Ideas: Equality
LGBTQ