The 1996 cover of The Secret of the Attic.
The Secret of the Attic is a book released in 1995, starring (and introducing) Heather Hardin, Keisha Vance, Alison McCann, and Megan Ryder.
The book received a new cover design in 1996 when the characters got new starter outfits. This book came with all dolls until 1997, when it was replaced with Trapped Beyond the Magic Attic.
Book Information[]
- Release: 1995
- Author: Sheri Cooper Sinykin
- Illustrators: Rich Grote and Ed Tadiello
Adventure Locations[]
- Ellie's House, 1930's, around Christmas
- Timeframe: Winter Break, Christmas Eve
Characters[]
Modern Characters[]
- Ellie Goodwin
- Mrs. Hardin
- Mrs. McCann (mentioned)
- Mark McCann (mentioned)
- Mr. Hardin (mentioned)
- Mrs. Vance (mentioned)
- Mr. Vance (mentioned)
- Mr. Ryder (mentioned)
- Julia Wyndham (mentioned)
- Ashley Vance (mentioned)
- Ronnie Vance (mentioned)
Adventure Characters[]
- Ellie Goodwin (young)
- Margaret Goodwin
- Charles Goodwin
- Ellie's Grandmother
Back Summary[]
The story begins with Megan, Keisha, and Alison planning Christmas festivities. New-girl Heather is Jewish and has never celebrated Christmas. Heather is afraid to tell her friends because she's afraid they will judge her.
Alison, Heather, Keisha, and Megan find a golden key that turns out to unlock the attic in a neighbor's old Victorian house. Once inside, Keisha spots a trunk filled with wonderful costumes--ball gowns, a ballet tutu, and many, many more. It's not long before the best friends find beautiful dresses that seem meant for them. And when they stand together in front of the old-fashioned mirror, they suddenly find themselves on an adventure in the past!
At first they don't know what's happened, or how to help the young girl whose Christmas party seems ruined. Why does she look so familiar? And how will they ever get back home? The answers they discover are the beginnings of the Magic Attic Club.
Full Summary[]
Chapter 1: A New Neighbor[]
The story begins with Heather Hardin staring out the window at her friends, while her mother is curious as to why she didn't take her friends' invitation to go sledding. Heather initially did, but they'd also invited her to their Christmas party, too, and she was asked to bring an ornament. Heather's family has just moved into her mom's old hometown, so Mrs. Hardin is still unpacking as she speaks. While performing this task, she nods "knowingly" at her daughter's dilemma. She asks if Heather wants her to make an ornament to bring. Heather tells her mother it's okay, and that she will stay in the house, but she continues to wistfully watch her friends pitch snowballs at one another. She begins to wonder if her friends would understand if she only went sledding with them and not to the party. She also worries they would think she's stuck up and doesn't want to be their friend.
As Heather watches her friends, her gaze wanders to a Victorian house, next door to Alison McCann's house. Heather's friends are having too much fun to notice it. Heather can't help but notice because, due to her father's job as a pilot and his frequent transfers, she feels as if she's spent her whole life packing and unpacking. This is why she's interested in who's moving in; now she'd no longer be the new kid.
Ms. Hardin encourages her daughter once more to join her friends for sledding. Despite her reservations, Heather grabs her parka and heads out the door to her friends. Alison forms a perfect snowball just as Heather approaches. Alison observed that Heather's father shoveled the walk earlier that morning, but more snow had already settled over it. Heather's feet mostly disappeared in the deep snow as she made her way to her friends.
Heather greets them right before Alison suddenly tells her not to move. She then expertly throws a snowball, with it landing on Heather's feet. She expresses to her friend that her "pitch" was why she qualifies to be on "The Eagles", a softball team she'd been trying to qualify for since her older brother Mark got his first uniform. In a couple more years, Alison believes she can have as many trophies for basketball, softball, and soccer he got when he was twelve.
Alison asks her friends what they think of her ambition. Heather teases by stating it was just a "lucky shot". Alison laughs at this, and she begins packing another snowball. Keisha Vance and Megan Ryder watch Alison's' throwing arm. They chant "Go, Ali!" and watch as she plays up her audience. Alison then bets she can throw the ball and hit the tip of the "V" on the moving van. But Megan advises her not to; she notices the movers are putting up a ramp, and warns Alison that even she can miss and hit one of them.
At this, Keisha curiously eyes the van. She's amazed that the movers seem done already, wonders if the individual moving in had any furniture, and wonders where they are in general. She recalls when her family first moved into town, remembering that her father and mother were around the whole time making sure the movers weren't breaking anything. Keisha was five years old when they moved, but she still has memories of how scared she was when her mother finished nursing school and found a new job in a new state. They were also lucky Keisha's father was hired as a hospital administrator in town, too. At that time, Keisha worried about finding her way home from school and leaving her old friends behind and making new ones. Now, though, Keisha feels it's as if she's known Megan and Alison all her life. In her observation, Heather also seemed to be fitting right in with the group.
As the moving van drives away, Alison successfully pitches her snowball in the center. The others are not amused. Using an announcer voice, Keisha then changes the subject by urging them to "get we to the hillary". When Alison frowns in confusion, Megan explains to her that it's a Shakespeare joke, a takeoff from "get thee to a nunnery" from Hamlet. Megan shares that her mom rented the video; she also points out that she could read the play if she wanted to.
Keisha takes some stiff shopping bags off of the porch and hands them around, giving the larger one to Alison. She then urges them to go and "get on with the fun". Alison suggests they race, but Megan declines by shaking her head. As she briskly walks through the snow, she begins wishing she were headed for the slopes instead. She dreams of flying down a mountain faster than the jet her father was taking to the Middle East to cover another news story. Her dad had told her he couldn't turn over his assignment to anyone else. For Megan, it meant she wouldn't be at his house for Christmas. She thinks about how her friends would be with both of their parents, as they were everyday.
Keisha jolts Megan out of her thoughts, also urging Heather along, who'd lagged behind. Megan catches up to her friends, but Heather stays back, listening to the bags their holding crackling in the cold, wondering what sorts they are.
As they walk, they come to the old Victorian house. Alison notices something shimmering in the snow. Alison notices a woman on the porch, in a gold white neck scarf, long white coat, and with a thick braid hanging down her back, fastening a multi-colored wreath on the door. Alison nudges her friends. She also notices the wreath isn't made of evergreens. After a moment, Heather looks over, too. The woman is struggling up a stepladder, trying to put up a sign that said "Lessons". Heather became curious, finding intricately carved cornice on the house to set the new neighbor off perfectly, like a "frame for a museum masterpiece".
Chapter 2: Found in the Snow[]
Keisha continues urging her friends along, but Heather notices the ladder the woman is standing on is beginning to wobble. She rushes over to help. The woman, described as having eyes "as blue as the heart of a flame", thanks her. The woman attempts to complete her task, but Alison notices the fasteners for the sign are giving her trouble. She also charges up the path to help. But at this point, he woman has got it completed.
The woman introduces herself as Eleanor Goodwin and asks who the girls are. After waving the others over, Alison introduces everyone. Keisha then notices the sign and shares that she'd love to take lessons. She acts what kind of lessons, asking if it's for acting, voice, or dance. Keisha notices Ms. Goodwin giving an amused "Mona Lisa" smile like the one she's seen in Mrs. Hardin's art books. She points out that she and her friends loved the way the portrait's eyes seemed to follow them.
Ms. Goodwin confirms that she's teaching all of those kinds of lessons, along with piano. Alison elbows Megan, finding the lessons pretty cool. Megan wants to tell her Mom, since her Mom she could start piano if she found a good teacher. Ms. Goodwin assures her she is and comments that "Julia Wyndham" should know whether she's good or not. This surprises Megan, as it's her mother's name, and she asks if her Mom took lessons from Ms. Goodwin. With a bit of hesitation, Ms. Goodwin confirms she took lessons with her. She then mysteriously adds that she wasn't the only one.
Ms. Goodwin then shivers and asks if the girl would like to come in and warm up with a pot of licorice tea. Alison starts after her, but Megan and the others hesitate. Heather reminds Alison they don't really know her. She then inquires as to how she knew that Ms. Wyndham was Megan's mom. Megan thinks maybe she looks just like her Mom when she was ten. Keisha thinks this makes sense, but also thinks Heather has a point about them not knowing Ms. Goodwin. She remembers her parents' warnings about strangers. With a younger brother Ronnie and sister Ashley to take care of, she not only had to listen to her parents recite the rules of behavior, but she felt compelled to repeat them to her siblings. Despite knowing her parents want to keep her safe, she's annoyed at being treated as if she can't remember anything.
Finally, Keisha tells Ms. Goodwin they were just going sledding. She offers to come by later after they've checked with their parents. Ms. Goodwin agrees this is wise. She tells the girls to tell their mothers she said hello. She's sure they will remember. The girls glance at one another. As they walk away, Megan speaks for them all when she says it was nice to meet her.
As soon as the friends reach the end of Ms. Goodwin's fence, the girls immediately flop onto their backs to make snow angels. As Keisha begins catching snowflakes with her tongue, she wonders whether Ms. Goodwin needs help clearing the snow from her walk later. She finds that Ms. Goodwin seems as old as her Great Aunt Bess, so she decides to clear the snow after their party. Alison soon jumps up and urges the others to follow her to the hill for sledding. She reminds them that the hill might be swarming with kids by now, and they still have to get their sleds.
Before they leave, however, Heather notices something glinting near the path. Megan thinks Heather has stopped because she doesn't have her own sled yet. She the notices that Heather doesn't have on boots, gloves, and other warm attire. Heather realizes it, too, and hangs her head in embarrassment. But she sees a light flash from the ground again. She points out the others that she sees something there. She begins searching the ground, asking if one of them dropped a charm or a bracelet. Megan and Keisha jump and dig for it as well. With chattering teeth, Heather pulls out a key. However, someone bumps her elbow, causing her to drop it. Using her quick hands, Alison scoops it from the snow and asks if it's Megan's diary key. Megan shakes her head no. Megan observes that it's much fancier than a diary key, with its interlocking circles and old-fashioned shaft. She asks Keisha if it's hers, and Keisha tells them not to look her. Alison simply says "finders keepers", handing Heather the key and telling her to grab her winter items so they can "get rolling". Keisha follows this up with saying, jokingly, "let's get sliding".
After pocketing the key, her friends push her towards her home. As she leaves, she makes them promise not to leave without her. While walking, she steals one more look at her friends to be sure, but also catches the curtain from Ms. Goodwin's front window move.
Chapter 3: An Invitation[]
Keisha, Megan, and Alison leave the McCanns' home and meet back up with Heather. Alison asks her what took her so long. Before she can explain that her sister took her boots, Megan and Keisha begin laughing, while Alison smiles. Heather realizes they'd only been teasing. Heather continues to explain that she had to defrost her fingers.
Heather then asks the girls what they've been doing. Keisha shares that they spoke with Alison's mom, and she seemed to know Eleanor Goodwin really well. She asked the girls to return the key before they go sledding. Heather shares that her own mother was glad tat they'd met her. She suspected the key belonged to their new neighbor and insisted they give it back right away. Alison suggests they do this right away so they can get to the real fun.
As they headed towards Ms. Goodwin's house, Megan notices Heather doesn't have any ornaments. She hopes Heather forgot and has to return home again. At this, Heather hangs her head and confesses that she doesn't have any ornaments. After a pause, Alison changes the subject. She tells them as soon as they see if the key is Ms. Goodwin's, they can head the sledding hill.
Alison rings the doorbell. The girls begin examining Ms. Goodwin's unique wreath. It is made of tiny cloth dolls, and dressed in brightly colored Central American clothing. The unusual wreath made the girls wonder what was inside the house. When Ms. Goodwin answers the door, her dog, Monty, darts out of the house, with her calling after him. Keisha sits back and whistles to him, holding out her hand until he comes over and licks it. Keisha notices that his tail is flicking back and forth like the metronome her choir director once used. Keisha picks him up and brings him back to the porch. Megan smiles ruefully and comments that they have instant bonding. She wishes the dogs she pet-sits would obey her the way they obey Keisha.
Alison then swiftly clears her throat and tells Ms. Goodwin that they have something they think belongs to her. She impatiently nudges Heather forward, eager to get going. Stumbling over her words, she holds out the golden key and tells Ms. Goodwin she must have dropped it. Ms. Goodwin tells the girls she hadn't realized she dropped it. She tells them they have no idea how important it is. She smiles at them as if they'd done a very good deed. Alison takes the key quickly and hands it to Ms. Goodwin, but finds herself hesitating, too, wondering what she should say. She also begins to be curious as to what she might find in Ms. Goodwin's house.
Ms. Goodwin's eyes meet Alison's and she inquires to know what Alison is going to say, seeming to read her mind. Alison brings up that her mother told her to ask what kind of lessons she's giving nowadays. Ms. Goodwin takes the key with a twinkle in her eyes. The girls notice that though she's slightly plump and only slightly taller than the girls, the way she carried herself made her seem quite stately. She asks what lessons the girls are interested in. Alison quickly says sports, but doesn't supposed Ms. Goodwin can teach her to shoot three-pointers.
Keisha shares that Heather is the artist of the group, just like her mom. Keisha shares that Megan likes to write stories and plays, and she likes to sing. Megan adds that Keisha is a good photographer, adding she should see Keisha's bulletin board. Speaking French, "Eh bien", she praises the girls for having many talents. She then waves them inside.
Keisha has always been curious about the house. It has been empty for as long as she could remember. As the girls walk in, Monty squirms in her arms, and the girls almost trip over each other trying to get in at the same time. Ms. Goodwin doesn't notice their awkwardness. She places her key in a silver box on a table. To the right, a pair of dark wooden doors with red highlights closes off a room. Ms. Goodwin motions the girls to join her in the sitting room to the left.
Once they enter, Megan becomes instantly amazed at how many books Ms. Goodwin has, of many sizes, some leather-bound and some not. She'd never seen so many books outside of a library. Inside the sitting room, there is a long sofa and a pair of matching chairs, each with legs exquisitely carved into lions' heads. The sofa sat opposite a deep fireplace with logs. Along the walls and on top of a credenza, framed photographs, small paintings, and a variety of unusual musical instruments decorated the room. Keisha recognized a rain stick and bamboo pan pipe from a report she did on South American percussion instruments. She turns the rain stick over, asking her friends to listen to how cool it sounds.
Megan nods as she examines a crystal bowl full of picture postcards. The postmarks on them were from far away places such as Afghanistan and Zaire. She wonders how many places Ms. Goodwin has actually visited-and how many her own father had while covering news stories abroad. Heather spots a framed marquee poster from the ballet Giselle. She sees that it's signed to Ms. Goodwin from "Rudi and Margot". Heather gasps when she realizes she never met anyone in her old neighborhood who knew such famous people. She has the others look, mentioning it's signed by Nureyev and Fonteyn. However, at this moment, Alison is too intrigued by a glass-encased baseball, signed by Babe Ruth and the rest of the New York Yankees.
Ms. Goodwin seems pleased with the girls' enthusiasm and curiosity about her possessions. She asks them to be seated and to make themselves at home. She asks if they were on their way somewhere. Keisha shares that they were going sledding and then having a tree-trimming party at Megan's house. Ms. Goodwin shares that she loves tree-trimming parties. She continues that it seems like yesterday when her mother was baking gingerbread and inviting friends from mils around to come celebrate. The girls remain awkwardly silent, thinking Ms. Goodwin might be asking for an invitation to their party. Eventually, Alison moves on, asking about the lessons again.
Ms. Goodwin glances towards the closed doors across the hallway. She tells the girls she was just meeting with some new pupils. She tells them if they don't mind, they can talk about lessons later. Megan interrupts, and tells her they'd better go. With disappointment in her voice, she tells her they can come back some other time. Ms. Goodwin assures her there's no need for that. She tells them it won't take very long. She then forwardly tells them she was hoping to share something special with them.
Heather voices all of the girls' surprise. Ms. Goodwin shares that they all remind her so much of herself when she was their age-curious and full of possibilities. She was thinking they might enjoy poking around her attic for a bit. She shares that she ad her friends used to have the most wonderful adventures there. Her cheeks seem to flush with excitement. Alison echoes "adventures" curiously. Ms. Goodwin tells her there were definitely adventures and more. She grows thoughtful for a moment before nodding and deciding something. She decides they're just the right girls to enjoy her attic, especially since they found her key. She hints that she finds it to be the kind of place they wish they could visit all of their life. Even at her age, she still feels that way.
Keisha begins to say something, being torn between exploring the attic and leaving. Th other girls begin thinking the same. Keisha then decides for them that they can stay fifteen minutes or so. She glances at the others who nod in agreement. Ms. Goodwin tells them good and tells them they'll need the key. She crosses the room and opens the silver box again. She places the golden key on the table. She tells the girls to have fun and that the won't be disappointed. She then enters the paneled doors and closes it firmly. The girls can smell sweet vanilla coming from them, passing the family portraits in the halls.
Megan then looks towards Monty and asks the dog where to go. The dog takes off and the girls follow him, Megan grabbing the key on her way. They head up a dimly lit staircase.
Chapter 4: Secrets of the Attic[]
Upstairs, the girls discover the key only fits one door. Megan turns it in a filigreed brass lock. Once they open the heavy door, a pungent smell of cedar, mixed in with something sharp and biting, spreads out. Keisha waves away the smell. The girls laugh as Megan pockets the key.
Alison then makes a bugle sound and cries out "charge", rushing past the others to be the first in the attic. Once upstairs, she's amazed. Megan calls up to ask if it's dark up there. Alison tells them no; it's beautiful. She tells them they won't believe this, causing the others to become eager. Keisha takes the lead with Heather and Megan hurrying after her. Once all are at the top, they notice a splendid "oriental" rug, a burgundy-and-beige floral lamp, with gold fringe, hanging from the steep-angled ceiling. Megan tugs its gold tassel cord to turn on the light. It created a rosy glow, fusing with the daylight coming in from high dormer windows.
Then, they notice a mahogany wardrobe to their left. One door is open, revealing scarves, albums, hats, and an endless selection of clothes. Alison pulls out a white Stetson hat studded with red and blue jewels and golden stars. She drawls out "howdy". An antique writing desk in the corner drew Megan's attention. Lifting the lid, she finds a tapestry-covered box and opens it. She lifts out a lace sachet, a stack of letters tied with red velvet ribbon, packet of black-and-white photographs, and an exquisite Victorian ornament. She coos at the ornament as she strokes the angel's porcelain face and the tiny seed pearls in its lacy gown.
Keisha discovers a black leather streamer trunk. Heather joins her. The girls exchange a silent "Shall we?" before pushing open the lid. Clothing in a whole palette of colors are in there. Megan and Alison join them, and they begin lifting garments out and examining them with amazement. Though they'd said they would only be fifteen minutes, they realize it would take fifteen hours to go through the trunk, let alone the whole attic. Megan asks where they should start. She's sure none of them had ever seen so many different kinds of clothes-modern, practical fashions next to storybook styles. There were outfits for any occasion a girl could imagine, such as ball gowns, bridal gowns, camping duds, and riding breeches. Heather touches a pink ballet tutu, Keisha gazes at a beautiful white ball gown, Alison looks at a silvery ice skating outfit, and Megan sees a flowing purple gown.
Heather finally tells the others to start anywhere; time is wasting. Heather snatches up a pair of shiny pink toe shoes, kicked her boots off, and pulled her snow pants up to her knees. She laughs at herself as she tries to stuff her feet into the shoes and tie the satin ribbon around her thick socks. Alison remarks that she thinks she might even learn to like dresses. She finds a blue velvet dress trimmed in black and twirls a matching beret on one finger. She thinks it matches the color of her eyes. She notes that if she spilled something on the dress, it wouldn't even show. Heather urges her to try it on.
Megan pauses from fiddling with the buttons on a satin gown. She reminds them that the clothes aren't theirs'. With exaggerated impatience, Alison asks her who would send up four girls to an attic on their own and not expect them to play with what they find. Heather agrees that would hardly make sense. She already had a tiara on her head and a jeweled evening bag slung over hear wrist. Regarding her feet, she points out that wearing toe shoes over socks hardly makes sense either, and ends up tripping an falling into a pile of dresses. Megan then finds an elegant pink dress for Heather to wear instead, and insists that it goes well with her dark hair. As Megan searches for one for herself, Alison offers her a black dress covered with golden stars. Keisha thinks it's very Megan; she's the star of the class. Keisha grabs a dress covered with butterflies of every color.
As Megan slips the dress on, she asks her friends if it goes with her strawberry-blonde hair. In a dramatic way, Keisha tells her black goes great with anything. As Keisha tries hers' on, she shows them what she means (since the base of the dress is Black). She then wishes she could see herself.
At the same time, Heather and Alison both share that they saw a mirror when they came in and point it out in one corner of the room. Keisha and Megan notice the tall gilt-framed mirror. In their dresses, the four friends hurry to stand in front of the mirror. Staring at her reflection, Megan whistles to herself. The outfits reminds of something out of Little Women. Alison grins crookedly when adds that maybe they look like something out of Shakespeare (i.e. much older).
Megan then thinks they should play Little Women. She tells Alison that she should be Amy because of her blonde hair. She agrees to be Jo since she's the writer. Before she can designate any more roles, Keisha reminds her that some of them haven't read he whole book yet, and don't want her to give it away.
Megan then asks Alison if she can see. Alison can only see walls and ceiling. Heather adjusts the mirror, angling it downward. The four girls step back. Suddenly, light from the dormer windows reflect off the glass, making them all squint. Their reflections shimmer for a moment before disappearing.
Chapter 5: Welcome, Strangers[]
When the girls open their eyes, they see their reflections in the mirror, but find themselves in a softly lit room they'd never seen before. Heather gasps, and Megan asks what happened and wonders where they are. The girls gawk at the small cramped room surrounding them. To the left of them is a four-poster bed covered with a flowery chintz coverlet. Before them stands a tall oblong mirror in a gilt frame. A sturdy mahogany wardrobe stands in the corner. They hear a steam radiator beneath the window, where fragrant pine wreath is hanging. A candle decoration with an incandescent flame glowed on the sill.
Heather finally answers Megan's question, saying she has no idea. Referencing The Wizard of Oz, Keisha says they're for sure "not in Kansas anymore". Megan manages a tight smile, but Alison remains silent. Keisha tip-toes to the window and looks out. She notices, wherever they are, it's getting dark and that they are in the middle of nowhere. Wondering how that could be possible, Alison moves next to Keisha to look out. Shivering and turning away, she says this is weird.
Megan asks what they should do, trying to keep her voice steady. Alison doesn't know, but knows they can't stand there forever. Keisha tells Alison to go first, nudging her toward the door. Megan and Heather follow behind, clutching one another. Alison pokes her head out, beckoning the others to follow her into a drafty hall. The smell a strong aroma of spruce and freshly baked gingerbread. Wherever they are, Alison realizes it's at least Christmas. She then has the girls follow her; there must be someone around who can tell them where they are.
As they step out towards the stairs, Heather is startled by her feet tapping on the floor. She realizes she and her friends are suddenly wearing party shoes they weren't wearing before. She wonders when she'd changed out of the ballet slippers she was wearing, and when the others had changed out of their snow boots. Keisha grasps the banisters and observes that it ends in a whirl of polished wood at the bottom. It seems vaguely familiar. After Megan takes her hand, she follows the others down the stairs.
Behind closed paneled doors to their left, Duke Ellington played before switching abruptly to a singer crooning something more fit for Christmas. Keisha stares at the doors in recognition, but shakes her head. As Alison crosses the entry hall, she finds a long sofa in a modest parlor. The sofa has lion carvings on it; Alison remembers seeing them somewhere before. But Alison notices an olive green cross-stitched upholstery that is completely unfamiliar. Nothing else commanded her attention as much as the sofa, despite there being a tall old-fashioned radio, fine paintings, a scarlet floral-bordered rug, and oval-backed chairs near the fireplace.
Megan wanders in the parlor and pauses to glance at a newspaper on an end table. When she sees a headline about President Roosevelt, her pulse quickens. She calls her friends over to share that she kind of knows where they are. She bends closer to confirm.
Before she can say anymore, a door opens across the hall, and a woman's voice calls out. The woman can only see Keisha and Heather, who'd been standing out in the hall. Knowing their names, she is surprised that Heather and Keisha are there. She apologizes for keeping them waiting. She tells them to come with her, and announces they will trim the tree as soon as Ellie gets there. Alison and Megan frown at one another, then join their friends. They spot an elegant woman with blond bobbed hair ushering Keisha and Heather into a large living room. She reminds Megan of a heroine in an old black-and-white movie. In the living room, Megan notices a baby grand piano nestled between a huge Christmas tree and a fireplace.
The woman continues explaining that she sent Ellie's father after her. She's wondering what's keeping her. She then shrugs it off, stating they know how skating parties are. Heather and Keisha nod politely before the woman suddenly notices Alison and Megan. She tells them it's good they're there, too. She observes their dresses and tells them what interesting frocks they are. Alison got the impression that what she and Heather were wearing was not the latest thing. She didn't know how to explain, so she beamed Megan a silent plea for help. Megan was usually good at talking to grown-ups. Megan stutters out that they like being old-fashioned. The woman tells them, a bit hesitantly, that they are pretty and festive.
She then looks at the grandfather clock and sighs. She hopes Ellie isn't overdoing it with her being sick recently. She shares that the "grippe" hung on for weeks. Then, she stops explaining, and assumes they know that. She scolds herself for prattling, considering it poor manners. She offers to bring them some hot cider and cookies. Keisha doesn't have to pretend she'd like that.
As the woman leaves, the girls whisper at once, wondering who she is, who Ellie is, and what "the grippe" is. Keisha answers that it's the flu. Megan shares that she knows they are somehow in the mid-1930s. She figured it out from the newspaper in the parlor. The other girls' eyes grow wide from this news.
At that same moment, loud thumping and banging can be heard from the front door. Stunned, the girls turn towards the entry and huddle together in fear, ready to run and hide.
Chapter 6: A Girl Named Ellie[]
The front door bangs open, and a man calls out for someone to come quickly. The girls rush towards the entry hall. Megan accidentally knocks against a tall ceramic stand full of umbrellas, sending them to the floor. While the others relace them, Megan stares at the tall clean-shaven man who'd come through the door. In his arms was a girl about the other girls' age. She'd been bundled up in an overcoat that was obviously the man's; he was wearing a striped gray suit. Several boys and girls came behind him, standing soberly and looking on.
The man called out for someone named "Margaret" and his mother. He shouts out that Ellie had an accident. From the back of the house, a staccato of footfalls and cries of concern could be heard. Alison pushes her friends' backs against the wall, out of the way, to let the woman who'd greeted them earlier through. An older woman passed them as well. Margaret asks her husband what happened, reaching out to Ellie. One of the children that had been skating with her tells her Ellie fell through the ice. The skater almost fell through, too.
The older woman exclaim "good heavens" and rounds up the bundled children like sheep, herding them out of the door. She thanks them for seeing Ellie home, but tells them t run along while they get her warmed up. The children speak at once asking if Ellie is going to be alright and about the party. The older woman tells them they'll have to call them later; at the moment, they have to tend to Ellie.
After the other children leave, she pokes hairpins into the knot at the back of her neck and feels Ellie's forehead for a fever. She tells the man, named Charles, to take Ellie upstairs. She then addresses Keisha and Alison, and tells them to draw a hot bath. She tells Margaret to start heating blankets. Her no-nonsense manner reminds Heather of Grandma Hardin. Heather asks if she and Megan can do something to help. The older woman tells them to come with her to fix mustard plaster and some hot-water bottles.
Margaret, Ellie's mother, begins stroking her daughters hair and trying to soothe her. Ellie's teeth stops chattering, and she begins feeling awful about ruining the party. She was just having so much fun after finally being able to get out. She becomes unable to finish and her teeth begins chattering again. Ellie's mother understands. She waves her husband upstairs, then turns to the four girls. She's happy they're there; they could use the extra hands. Keisha assures her they'll do what they can. She and Alison hurry after Ellie and her father.
When they enter the tiled bathroom, they observe that it's huge and drafty. It has a pedestal sink and a freestanding bathtub with claw feet, which looked lonely in the huge room. Charles tells the girls to start the water. As soon as he brings a blanket, he wants them to help Ellie undress and wrap her up until the bathtub water is warm. He sets Ellie on the bath mat and heads off to get blankets.
Ellie collapses from exhaustion and wraps the overcoat around her more tightly. Alison tries to steady her, while Keisha turned the tap on. Rusty water pours out, and it takes forever to get warm. Keisha realizes the water hadn't warmed by the time Ellie's father brought the blankets. She wonders if there's something they can do. He tells them he'll have his mother heat some.
Downstairs, in the kitchen, Ellie's grandmother was preparing the mustard plaster. Heather pretended to know what it was until she had a chance to ask Megan. As soon as Ellie's grandmother leaves the kitchen for a moment, Megan whispers that it was stuff people used to use when they were sick. She explains that her Mom said her grandmother used to mix up powdered mustard, flour, and water, put it on a rag, and stick it on her chest to loosen congestion. Heather wrinkles her nose at the smell. It looks as bad as it smells.
When Ellie's grandmother returns, she fills a pot of water and sets it on top of a wood-burning stove. Heather hurries to finish up the hot-water bottles, not wanting to be scolded for not helping. The woman announces they need more hot water; the old boiler is giving them trouble again. She snaps her fingers to get the girls ready to lug more pots to the stove. The pots are heavy, and Megan huffs at the effort. She whispers that she wonders what's going on upstairs. She wonders if Ellie recognizes Alison and Keisha. Heather asks how she could; if Megan is right about the year, they weren't even born yet.
Ellie's father came into the kitchen to check their progress. He'd changed into dry clothing as formal as the gray suit. He reported that his wife is warming blankets on the radiators. He also informs them that while Ellie is bundled up tight, she's still shaking. He tested the water with one finger, then hauled the first pot away. Megan calls after him to say as soon as the other pots are ready, they'll let him know.
When Ellie's father knocks on the bathroom door, Keisha jumps up to open it. He begins pouring the steaming water into the partially filled tub. Keisha whispers to him that Ellie is so pale and weak. He nods gravely and tells her she's chilled to the bone. He begins to ask if she said anything about the accident, but Keisha tells him she hasn't said a word or even looked at them. He then resolves to send his wife in. He tells them he'll bring more hot water soon.
After he leaves, Keisha asks Alison how Ellie is doing. Alison, who'd been rubbing the girls' arm, simply shrugs. Keisha then whispers and asks if Alison thinks the girl knows them. Keisha attempts to ask the girl, but suddenly Alison cuts her off, not being sure why, and tells Ellie her bath is ready. Keisha and Alison help the girl get into the tub. After she gets in, she offers a thin smile in the girls' direction.
When she does, Keisha catches her breath in her throat and nudges Alison. She wonders if Alison also noticed that Ellie's eyes were "as blue as the heart of a flame".
Chapter 7: The Gift[]
Heather and Megan had been heating several more pots of water before Ellie's mother finally hustled her daughter out of the bathtub and into bed. She tells the girls to go downstairs and rest for a "spell", despite looking weary herself. She tells them how wonderful they've been through all of this, though they were expecting a party. Keisha was going to object, but Alison elbows Keisha in the ribs to stop her. Ellie's mother continues by reminding them of the cider they are welcome to, though it's cold by now, and the fresh cookies. Megan speaks for them all when she thanks her. She tells Ellie's mother they will be in the living room if she needs them again.
Megan couldn't wait to tell the others the plan that she'd been thinking of. When they entered the living room, the girls notice how naked and forlorn the Christmas tree looks. On the floor beneath it, they notice boxes of decorations. Fragile, glistening red, green, and silver balls and tinsel were alongside strings of lights, popcorn, cranberries, and tiny beads. Megan spotted a delicate Victorian angel ornament and drew in a sharp breath. Her heart began to beat faster as she touched it.
As Heather munches on a cookie, she asks her friends if they think Ellie will be okay. Keisha jokes that if she's anything like her grandmother, she will be. This causes the other girls to laugh.
Megan then touches the piano keys tentatively, wishing she could play. She thinks Ellie and her family needs a little Christmas spirit. She clears her throat to get the other girls' attention and shares how sorry she feels for Ellie. She then shares her idea of how they can cheer up the family a little.
As the girls prepare their surprise, Keisha begins bursting into the Christmas carol "Deck the Halls". Alison and Megan join in. But Heather noticeably doesn't. Alison tries to encourage Heather to sing along, telling her not to be a party pooper. Heather stammers that she's not trying to be. Alison cuts in and, with a lopsided grin, asks if Heather forgot the words. Heather mumbles that she never knew them.
When her friends raise their eyebrows at her in surprise, she adds that it's not exactly a traditional Hanukkah song. Keisha giggles and now understands why Heather didn't have an ornament. Alison asks why Heather didn't tell them she was Jewish. Heather points out that it never came up until no, insisting it's not a secret, but sometimes it's hard being different.
Megan reminds her they're all different, waving the ends of her reddish-blond hair. Keisha chimes in and shares that her family celebrates Kwanzaa. She explains that it's a Swahili word that means the "first fruits of harvest". They practice a special principle each day for day for seven days. Every night for a week, they light a new candle the same way Jewish families do. Heather asks what her candleholder is called. Keisha tells her it's called a kinara. Heather thinks it sounds kind of like menorah, grinning at the similarity.
Heather then gathers her friends into a huddle. Ten minutes later, the girls hurry up the stairs to share their surprise. Alison wonders if the others had noticed Ellie's eyes and had the same feeling they'd seen them somewhere else before.
When the girls burst into the room, they saw Ellie was bundled up so much, they could see nothing but her pale face. Her parents were seated at the end of the bed next to each other. Her grandmother as fussing over her, trying to get her to swallow a spoonful of something that smelled camphor. Keisha, who was standing closest, could smell it stronger. She caught the older woman's hand before she could give it to Ellie, explaining that it's bad for her. Keisha shares that her mom says they're only supposed to put that on the chest. Alison confirms that Keisha's mom knows these things; she's a nurse. Ellie's grandmother looks unconvinced, but Keisha assures, telling her it even says it on the bottle. Ellie gives Keisha a grateful look.
Ellie's father motions for his mother to put the spoon down and looks grateful for the information, too. When Ellie's grandmother finally gives in, the girls hold out their skirts full of Christmas decorations from the living room. Alison and Keisha pass through the family with candelabras and candles, urging them to fill the holders and light the candles. Heather sat down next to Ellie and revealed a lap full of tinsel, garlands, and a few less breakable ornaments. She freed Ellie's hands from the blankets and gave her the decorations. Ellie began frowning as she took them.
Keisha then begins singing "O, Tannenbaum". Heather hummed along, and the rest of the family joined in. On cue, Megan enters the room dressed up like a tree. Spruce boughs were tied around her waist and shoulders. The golden stars on her dress peeked through the necklaces of popcorn and cranberries and tiny glass beads. Keisha barely managed to keep singing, but Alison and Heather had burst into giggles.
Megan stepped closer to Ellie so she could begin hanging a couple of ornaments and tossing tinsel onto the branches. Then, Megan hands Ellie the exquisite Victorian ornament for the top of her head. She bends forward, trying hard to keep a straight face while Ellie set it on her head.
Ellie whispers to them that what they've done is like magic. She glances around and smiles. Flames and everyone's mirrored reflections danced about the room, flickering on everyone's faces, but Ellie's flame-blue eyes outshone them all.
Chapter 8: The Magic Attic Club[]
Downstairs, a grandfather clock bonged downstairs, and Alison counted the strokes. She realizes how late it has gotten, and nudges Heather and Keisha, whispering that they'd better go. Alison then turns to the family to tell them it's getting late; their parents are expecting them. Ellie's parents hug each girl, thanking them for coming and saving the party. Ellie's grandmother waves and sends holiday wishes. Ellie squeezes their hands and assures them that she'll be fine. She thanks them for everything. Megan tells her to take care and that they will "see her later".
When Ellie's father attempts to show them out, Alison quickly tells him to stay with his family. She assures him they know the way. Under her breath, though, she hopes the do. After waving good-bye, the girls head into the hallway, closing the door behind them. At the head of the stairs, Alison whispers to the others to ask where they are going. She reminds them that there aren't any other houses outside. The girls stare at each other as they realize they'd been so wrapped up in helping Ellie, they'd forgotten they didn't know where they actually were.
Megan catches a glimpse of a mirror in the room they'd first entered. She waves the others inside and shuts the door. One candle, sitting on the windowsill, lit the room. They wonder if they share the same thought; that they should the mirror again. Heather wonders if it will work, but Keisha points out they won't know until they try. The four of them stand in front of the mirror. As Megan stares at their reflections, she thinks of all the questions she wants to ask Ms. Goodwin wen they get back-if they get back.
The girls hold hands and close their eyes. Suddenly, daylight stabs their eyes. They were back in Ms. Goodwin's attic. Megan looks around in wonder. Alison asks her friends if they're sure they really went. She then remembers Megan being a walking, talking Christmas tree and starts giggling. Keisha notices popcorn still stuck to Megan's hair, which is proof of their adventure. Keisha jokes that the "proof is in the popcorn", causing her friends to laugh. Heather then tells the girls to change their clothes. She's absolutely dying to talk to Ms. Goodwin. The others share a knowing smile.
Once the dresses have been stored, Megan relocks the attic and they rush off to the sitting room. Ms. Goodwin is reading on the sofa when they arrive, her white terrier Monty snuggled in the crook of her arm. Ms. Goodwin's face lights up when she sees them. She asks them if the enjoyed themselves. Keisha rattles that they had the most amazing adventure, and that she should have been there. At this, Heather and Megan lock eyes. Heather says maybe Ms. Goodwin was. Ms. Goodwin winks at them. Alison and Keisha exchange unspoken words of their own.
Alison then asks how it works. Megan asks a series of questions where the were and if they can do it again. She tells Ms. Goodwin not to leave anything out. They all sit around Ms. Goodwin's feet expectantly. Keisha asks if it has something to do with the mirror. Ms. Goodwin tells them of course, but shares that the real magic is in them. Alison isn't convinced, so she asks what they are supposed to do.
Ms. Goodwin explains that first they take the key; they know where it is now. She gestures towards the silver box in the hall. Megan returns the key. Ms. Goodwin tells the girls they're always welcome to use it. Then, all they need to do is choose a costume and look into the mirror.
Keisha asks if they always come and go through the same one. Ms. Goodwin answers with a yes and no. When the girls look confused, she laughs. She explains that they always go through the mirror in the attic, but after their adventure, any mirror will take them home.
Alison remembers Ms. Goodwin sharing that she and her friends used to play in the attic. Before she can ask any more, Ms. Goodwin confirms they did all the time. She's always loved to travel. She has them remind her to tell them about the camel she rode to the Great Pyramids, or the time they went looking for the Loch Ness monster. The girls begin to bubble over with excitement. Megan shares that she hopes to travel for a living one day. She thinks if she weren't a foreign correspondent, like her father, she'd be a pilot like Heather's, or an archeologist. Ms. Goodwin thinks perhaps she shall.
Keisha then gets the idea they should start a club. Ms. Goodwin shares that's just what she and her friends did. They called themselves the "Attic Angels", but she's sure they will come up wit something fresh on their own. Heather thinks up the Magic Attic Club, and the others think that name is perfect. Megan adds that they can have an official notebook to write up about their adventures. Alison adds that the only rule is that they promise to tell one another everything if they go through the mirror alone.
Keisha then asks what Ms. Goodwin thinks. First, she tells the girls they should call her Ellie; it's not so formal. The girls break into grins, with Heather speaking for the others when she agrees to call her Ellie. Second, Ellie thinks the Magic Attic Club is a marvelous name.
She then gazes around the room, thinking how good it is to be home again. She says it's just in time. Heather an Megan look at one another in confusion. Megan ask if she means for Christmas. She points out that Ellie doesn't have a tree. But Ellie tells her she has one in the living room. Heather wonders how she had time to unpack, thinking about her family's difficulties every time they moved. Ellie explains that it's her family home, so everything stays right there waiting for her when she's abroad performing and visiting old friends.
Alison inquires about the van. Ellie dismisses the question, explaining there are some things she can't be without for years at a time. Her caretaker saw to the tree. Heather asks if the can decorate it with her, offering to string popcorn and cranberries like in the "olden days". The girls all grin at Megan-and Ellie smiles, too.
Alison then suggests Heather bring her menorah and Keisha bring her kinara for awhile. Ellie cheers to this and decides to put on some milled cider and boil up a batch of taffy. While it's cooling, she suggests they trim the tree then. All eyes look at Heather at the moment. But Heather thinks it sounds like fun. She even thinks they could sing "Deck the Halls", since she's become a pro at the chorus. The Magic Attic Club laughs at once. Ellie then stands and has the girls run and tell their mothers their plans. She then gets to work in the kitchen.
Outside, in the falling snow, Heater asks the girls about the sledding they were supposed to do. Keisha waves that concern away; they can do that any time. Mean sighs that this is the best Christmas Eve day she's ever spent. Alison agrees. Keisha and Heather agree as well.
When the girls reach the end of the fence, Heather suggests the each return with something for the party. She's bringing her menorah, Keisha will bring her kinara, Megan offers to bring some of her favorite icicle ornaments, and Alison had already set aside some of her mother's gourmet cookies for their original party.
Megan, who had the furthest to go, hurried away. She was still giddy and dreamy about her adventure, an wondering about all of the places she could go for real and not just in books. Alison and Keisha headed left of the house, in the same direction. Alison began wondering whether Ellie's attic would help her discover new things about herself, like whether she'd be a famous athlete. Keisha thought of the family tree she'd been compiling, and begins thinking a trip through the mirror could help her meet her ancestors. She smiles at thinking she could talk to them and have them be a real part of her life.
As Heather crossed the street, her mind had been spinning. Her father promised they wouldn't move again, and now, with the Magic Attic Club, she was happier than ever she would get to stay. She finally had a holiday to share with her friends. She tries to push worries about her father being transferred away.
When Heather glances back at Ellie's house, she gets excitement at the thought of going up there again. Through the front window, Heather can see the tree, dark and bare behind the lacy curtains.
Suddenly, the hanging panels move, just as they had when Heather first observed the house. This time, though, Heather laughs as she sees Monty's head poking out and playing with the folds.
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Trivia[]
1995 image of Alison holding the attic key.
The 1996 version of the book changed only one illustration -- when Alison is holding the key Heather has found. The new image of the girls first discovering the attic in the 1996 Starter Outfits was only on the cover.