"Tasked by his preoccupied mother with finding one of his infant twin sisters’ socks in the family’s basement laundry room, a young boy descends into entire worlds in Hatke’s haunted, wondrous museum of a graphic novel.” —The New York Times, from "The Best Children’s Books of 2023"


"Hatke gently blends both whimsical and terrifying imagery to create a fantastical, dreamily atmospheric katabasis..." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Generous in structure, as well, just when the tale could come to a satisfying conclusion, it opens wider, its most heart-pounding moments still ahead." — Booklist, starred review

“Ben Hatke's inspired plot is visually driven, creative, and multilayered...Things in the Basement is a gorgeous, maze-like graphic novel for young readers...” —Shelf Awareness, starred review


“Hatke is at his best in this book that blends fantasy with reality, deftly ­harmonizing murky greens and browns with cool blues and purples to create an eerie and wonderful atmosphere.” —School Library Journal, starred review


"A journey of loss both intimate and fantastical, swept along by flowing, emotive illustrations." —Kirkus Reviews