Answer from the book:
The children are likely excited by the mysterious and possibly haunter appearance of the house, sparking their curiosity and imagination.
Evidence:
The passage mentions that the children are "whispering excitedly to each other" as they stop in front of the house. The use of the word "excitedly" suggests that they are enthusiastic about something. Furthermore, the description of the house with boarded-up windows and ivy-covered walls creates an entire and intriguing atmosphere, which could fuel the children's excitement and desire to explore.
All posters and events depicted in this post are entirely fictitious. Any similarity to actual events or posters, living or dead, is purely coincidental.