• Children's Notable Book, ALA
• A Book Sense Children's Pick, American Booksellers Association, Winter 2004/2005
• Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award
• Virginia Readers' Choice Elementary School List

"In a real departure from her previous novels, Coman has created an enjoyable romp of a mystery.… It's all great fun with lots of matter-of-fact, potboiler detective slang spoken by the children. Shepperson's drawings make the story even more amusing. This farcical, pseudo-Victorian drama of crime and punishment is sure to be a crowd pleaser."
     —School Library Journal

"This funny, thoroughly entertaining change of pace for Coman seamlessly blends fantasy and reality in that wonderful way children can, and Shepperson's splendid, Quentin Blake-style further enliven an engaging story of espionage, family loyalty, and justice prevailing."
     —Kirkus Reviews

"Cut from the same cloth as Lemony Snicket's Baudelaire orphans, the resourceful siblings try to make the best of their comically gloomy situation. They have races through their cavernous quarters and gather evidence in hopes of freeing their parents and getting Marietta sent "up river" instead. While Ivy is a firm believer in her parents' innocence, it is delightfully clear from her lingo ("We gotta face the music") and her memories of family life that she and Ray have been raised by swindlers. But, in Coman's book, there are worse crimes. illustrations with inviting black-and-white art that reveals the siblings' affection for each other in the face of La Grande Maison's creepiness, this arch gothic mystery shows that being a pillar of society isn't a prerequisite for being a loving parent."
     —Horn Book

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"In a real departure from her previous novels, Coman has created an enjoyable romp of a mystery.… It's all great fun with lots of matter-of-fact, potboiler detective slang spoken by the children. Shepperson's drawings make the story even more amusing. This farcical, pseudo-Victorian drama of crime and punishment is sure to be a crowd pleaser."
     —School Library Journal

"This funny, thoroughly entertaining change of pace for Coman seamlessly blends fantasy and reality in that wonderful way children can, and Shepperson's splendid, Quentin Blake-style further enliven an engaging story of espionage, family loyalty, and justice prevailing."
     —Kirkus Reviews

"Cut from the same cloth as Lemony Snicket's Baudelaire orphans, the resourceful siblings try to make the best of their comically gloomy situation. They have races through their cavernous quarters and gather evidence in hopes of freeing their parents and getting Marietta sent "up river" instead. While Ivy is a firm believer in her parents' innocence, it is delightfully clear from her lingo ("We gotta face the music") and her memories of family life that she and Ray have been raised by swindlers. But, in Coman's book, there are worse crimes. illustrations with inviting black-and-white art that reveals the siblings' affection for each other in the face of La Grande Maison's creepiness, this arch gothic mystery shows that being a pillar of society isn't a prerequisite for being a loving parent."
     —Horn Book

"Coman's combination of one part comedy to three parts puzzle works well, and the slightly disheveled, wavy lines of the complement the enthusiasm and energy of the child protagonists. Ivy and Ray are an appealing duo that will bring out the evidence-collector in many middle-grades children and reluctant readers."
     —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Dickens and Damon Runyon meet Annie in a story that has a fresh voice. … there's fun to be had … great ."
     —Booklist

"Coman (What Jamie Saw) displays her versatility with this sly comedy … [an] affectionate portrayal of familial relations."
     —Publishers Weekly

"The fresh tone of the text and the amusing black-and-white illustrations make this a delightful read for young would-be-detectives."
     —The White Ravens

"A delightful and funny story, which will make you want to cheer for the spunky Ivy and her little brother. Black and white sketchy drawings add their own charm to this story, written by a Newbery Honor Award winning author."
     —Christian School International Library Materials Guide

"The Big House reminded me of the days when I lost myself in stories of other kids, especially girls my age or a little older, and their adventures—Heidi and Heidi's Children, Black Beauty, The Bobbsey Twins, A Modern Cinderella, Honey Bunch: Just a Little Girl. I'd sit on a porch or recline on a hammock all afternoon just reading, transported … [A]s I read The Big House, I felt as engaged by the adventures of Ivy and her little brother, Ray, as I would haven been at age 10. I felt 10 again. It's a strong, good feeling."
     —Nashua Telegraph, NH

"With sly humor reminiscent of Polly Horvath and Lemony Snicket, Coman tells the story of Ivy and Ray, two kids who are sent to live with wealthy relatives when their parents go to prison for embezzlement... illustrations with droll drawings which extend the fun."
     —Suffolk Cooperative Library System

"This new novel by Newbery Honoree Coman is our favorite for the Newbery Medal this year. Delightful, funny, filled with heart and humor and funny , we think this book will stand the test of time."
     —Flying Pig Children's & Adults' Books of Charlotte, VT

"[F]unny, witty, charming ... The ingenuity and camaraderie of this brother and sister is refreshing."
     —Independent Voices of Northshire Bookstore, Manchester Ctr., VT

"A new story with the feel of an older classic, this is the deliciously fun tale of two kids in a family of crooks ... a fun, fun caper."
     —Wellesley Booksmith - Wellesley, MA

"A winning mysterious comedy that's well worth the time."
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