ALA Booklist

Picking up at the end of The Secret of the Indian , Banks offers a fourth book in the cupboard series. After inheriting a house from distant relatives, Omri's family decides to move to the country. During the rethatching of the family's new residence, Omri discovers a journal and a box that once belonged to his great-great-aunt Jessica Charlotte. The diary divulges information about the beginnings of the magic cupboard (which originally belonged to Jessica Charlotte); the box contains several plastic figures, who, when brought to life, fill in the gaps to explain the cupboard's secrets. Although the story is more about Jessica Charlotte than about Omri, readers won't be disappointed, because they'll be swept up in the details of the life of this boisterous and often scandalous music hall girl of pre-World War I London. Omri remains ever cautious of the dangers of playing with the cupboard, yet, when his father, at the end, accidentally brings all the plastic characters to life, Omri is secretly pleased and excited. And, since Omri's father has not yet developed his son's sensible restraint, Banks leaves open the possibility of further adventures. Librarians need to be aware of the controversy over the stereotypical characterization of the plastic Indians when they are brought to life. (Reviewed Apr. 1, 1993)

Horn Book

This companion to the Indian in the Cupboard books is sure to please fans of the series. When Omri's family moves to an old country house inherited from a distant relative, Omri unravels the mystery of the origin of the magic cupboard that turns plastic figures into real, miniature people. The magic is quiet, but the pace is involving, and the character of Omri's 'wicked' great-great-aunt, as revealed in her journal, is intriguing.

Kirkus Reviews

When Omri's family moves to the country house his mother has inherited, he learns the earlier history of the magical cupboard first featured in The Indian in the Cupboard (1980). The house belonged to distant cousin Frederick; in its thatched roof, Omri discovers a manuscript dictated by Frederick's mother, Jessica Charlotte, on her deathbed. A tragedy is revealed: jealous of her sister Maria (Omri's great-great-grandmother), Jessica Charlotte- -music-hall singer, unwed mother, and family outcast—stole a pair of her earrings, unwittingly setting off events that left Maria widowed and impoverished. The cupboard was Jessica Charlotte's; now, when Omri finds her toy figures, he uses it to bring them to life, hoping to avert the tragedy by sending them back to her time—belatedly realizing that this may cancel his own existence. Though the story begins slowly, Banks plots expertly, introducing new figures, bringing in old ones for cameo appearances, and even furthering Omri's nice relationship with his dad. There's not much chance to stereotype Native Americans here, as Banks was charged with earlier, but Jessica Charlotte is certainly a caricature of a music-hall singer; one wonders whether it's reasonable, or merely foolish, to deplore such shorthand in popular fiction. Not the best `` Cupboard'' book, but fans won't want to miss it; with a first printing of 75,000, they won't have to. (Fiction. 10-13)"

School Library Journal

Gr 3-6--Indian in the Cupboard (Doubleday, 1985) fans, rejoice! Here's another in the series, and it will appeal most to those familiar with the characters and events in the earlier books. When a distant relative dies, leaving Omri's mother an old farmhouse, the whole family moves to the country. As old thatch is removed in preparation for reroofing, Omri finds a notebook written by wicked'' great-great-Aunt Jessica as she lay dying, which reveals the secret of the cupboard, and how and why it, and its magic, came into being. New little people are introduced, and once again, Omri learns the folly--and danger--of playing with people's lives. Little Bear and Bright Stars, main characters from the previous books, make their appearance only on the last page, when the boy's father is let in on the secret.From now on, thought Omri, whatever happens--and plenty will--Dad's in on it. Which is bound to make things . . . very, very complicated.'' One has to wonder if he will allow the adventures to continue. --Li Stark, North Castle Public Library, Armonk, NY