Things in the Basement

Hatke, Ben. Things in the Basement. 2023. 240p. ISBN 9781250836618. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Milo and his family have just moved in a new house, and parts of it feel very creepy. When Milo's mother asks him to retrieve a special sock for one of his newborn twins, Milo hesitates. The basement of his family's new, historic home feels haunted. Summoning his courage, Milo descends the steps, but things takes an unexpected turn when he discovers a hidden door leading to a vast, unknown world beneath his house. Milo's initial apprehension gives way to curiosity as he ventures deeper into this subterranean realm, encountering its strange inhabitants as he looks for the missing sock.

As Milo navigates the wonders and potential oddities of this Basement World, he begins to understand a valuable lesson about overcoming his fears. He learns that instead of retreating from the unfamiliar, approaching even the most unusual creatures with kindness and understanding is the key to navigating this new environment. His journey becomes not just a physical exploration of a hidden world, but also a personal one of developing empathy and courage in the face of the unknown.