Can anyone tell me the name of this book?

[ZombieGenesis]

It was something I read many years back. Recently watched the movie Coraline and it reminded me of it so much I'm really curious to find it again.
The book was about a boy who (I assume) runs away from his home and finds himself at a house owned by some woman. The place is a sanctuary for run-aways, but it turns out that while nobody ages there the world outside still does, so there are kids from the 30's living there too. I think there might have been a fog around the house, and the catch 22 was that the owner of the house ate the lost years in the childrens lives.

I can't remember much else but when it ends the boy escapes and he meets a girl he'd known in the house. It must be that when you leave you return to your own time because she was an old woman.

I really can't remember much else but I'm wracking my brain trying to find this damn thing.

 

[Zirat]

Sorry, I while that sounds familiar I cant remember a title. I'll try a search and see what turns up.

And major props on the Sho-poke avatar

 

[Phantom_IEC]

I recognise the story line, there is something to do with the pond in the garden and the thing in the attic.

I think it's a James Herbet story, just checking now...

 

[The Infinite]

Oh man, you're thinking of the book "The Thief of Always" by Clive Barker. He's really bored and such and a man brings him to the "Holiday House" where there's the kind old lady and a couple of kids. All of the seasons pass in a single day and there's something off about the whole thing. I think that's the book you're thinking of..

 

[Natmonkey]

Oh man, you're thinking of the book "The Thief of Always" by Clive Barker. He's really bored and such and a man brings him to the "Holiday House" where there's the kind old lady and a couple of kids. All of the seasons pass in a single day and there's something off about the whole thing. I think that's the book you're thinking of..

I'm seconding this one. I read it in primary school, a long, long time ago. It has to be "The Thief of Always", seeing how the story fits so well with your description.

 

[Phantom_IEC]

I was wrong, It was Clive Barker

The Thief of Always.

pah ninja'd!