The Boxes

The Boxes

William Sleator

208 pgs

Puffin (2000)

Subject Matter: orphans, Pandora, crab-beasts, science fiction, houses

Annie is given two boxes by her uncle Marco, who she loves and trusts. Given the predicament much like Pandora, Annie is told not to open the boxes. Her curiosity gets the best of her and she cracks the lid of one of them. Out comes a creature that she cannot control and the reproduces itself in a quick manner. Soon Annie's basement is full of these crab-like creatures that speak to her through her thoughts. They insist that she go and talk to the box upstairs that they refer to as "Lord." She does their bidding the Lord slows time for the creatures to create their home and this catches the extreme attention of some landowners who are interested in what is going on inside of Annie's house and are willing to buy, bribing Annie's aunt with a million dollars to sell. Annie must save the creatures and their home and must not allow the landowners to buy.

Review: Lots of loose ends were not tied at the end and leaves the book at a cliff-hanger. Would recommend to someone looking for a good science-fiction novel.

Now You Know: Great concern is built for these rather scary crab-like creatures