House of Arden

E. Nesbit invented modern children's fantasy. Before her, kids' books lectured; she gave them wonder, wit, and real danger. House of Arden is proof. Two children, Edred and Elfrida, inherit nothing but an old house and a cryptic clue: find the Arden fortune before Edred turns ten, or lose it forever. Their only ally is Mouldiwarp, a magical creature who can tunnel through time itself. What follows is a treasure hunt that spans centuries, layered with suspense, humor, and the genuine terror of children who might lose everything. This is the book that taught generations of readers that magic and history make perfect bedfellows, and that courage isn't the absence of fear but the decision to act anyway.