John Bellairs; Author of Children’s Books

John Bellairs, 53, who wrote “The House With the Clock in Its Walls” and 14 other children’s books. “The House With the Clock” was published in 1973 and is in its 16th printing. The story was made into a television movie. Bellairs also was the author of “The Secret of the Underground Room,” “The Curse of the Blue Figurine,” “The Lamp of the Warlock’s Tomb” and “Chessmen of Doom.” On March 8 in Haverhill, Mass., of heart disease.