Chris Priestley

From an award-winning author and the masterful illustrator of The Midnight Fair comes a tale for anyone who has ever gotten lost in an unfamiliar place--or is drawn to gothic worlds. When Miss Flytrap asks if anyone knows the way to Mr. Grimly's classroom, Grace's hand flies up--she can't help herself, even though she's a new kid in school and has no idea where to go. Nonetheless, with a book to deliver proudly in hand, Grace sets off on a long, strange journey through a very odd place, full of twists, turns, and creepy characters who give puzzling directions. Climbing dark, cobwebby staircases, feeling her way through a fogged-up playground, careening by zipline from the top of a treacherous tower right into a kitchen window--will she ever find Mr. Grimly's classroom? With equal parts suspense and humor, author Chris Priestley leads an unsettling school tour for the ages, while Mariachiara Di Giorgio's atmospheric, immersive illustrations beckon readers on with mesmerizing visual riddles.

When Harry and his mother inherit a house from a mysterious relative of his late father, they travel across the country to discover the inheritance is a cruel trick: the house has fallen into the sea. But there's even more going on at Wickford Hall than they could have imagined. Harry becomes preoccupied by the locals' tales of lost children and evil paintings. Is there something sinister lurking in the land? And can Harry defeat it before it consumes him, too? Union Square & Co.'s EVERYONE CAN BE A READER books are expertly written, thoughtfully designed with dyslexia-friendly fonts and paper tones, and carefully formatted to meet readers where they are with engaging stories that encourage reading success across a wide range of age and interest levels.

During an air raid, huddled in the bomb shelter with his family, the different sounds of the war humming around him, when Bill makes his wish. He says it out loud, three times: "I wish for a brother instead of a sister." It seems like his wish comes true almost immediately when his family takes in an injured boy found in a nearby bombed-out house after the raid. No-one knows who the boy is. He never speaks, and his burnt face is wrapped in bandages while it heals. As the weeks pass, the boy becomes stranger and stranger. When Bill confronts the boy, he discovers that wishes can sometimes go horribly, horribly wrong . . . Union Square & Co.'s EVERYONE CAN BE A READER books are expertly written, thoughtfully designed with dyslexia-friendly fonts and paper tones, and carefully formatted to meet readers where they are with engaging stories that encourage reading success across a wide range of age and interest levels.

When Maya and her classmates are asked to write winter-themed creepy stories, they come up with some brilliantly spooky ideas. Rising floodwaters uncover long-buried bodies and ghostly children take to the ice on a frozen canal. But when a mysterious new girl stands up to read her story, the light begins to dim and the classroom grows colder and colder. Can Maya stop the story and save them before they all freeze? Union Square & Co.'s EVERYONE CAN BE A READER books are expertly written, thoughtfully designed with dyslexia-friendly fonts and paper tones, and carefully formatted to meet readers where they are with engaging stories that encourage reading success across a wide range of age and interest levels.

Evacuated from London at the outbreak of war, Rosie is taken in by kind Mrs Taylor and her daughter Mary. But all is not as it seems. Mary resents and bullies Rosie, and Mrs Taylor is hiding a dark secret. When Rosie comes across a strange girl swimming in a local pond, she hopes they will become friends. But instead her appearance leads to a horrifying revelation that will have terrifying consequences . . . Union Square & Co.'s EVERYONE CAN BE A READER books are expertly written, thoughtfully designed with dyslexia-friendly fonts and paper tones, and carefully formatted to meet readers where they are with engaging stories that encourage reading success across a wide range of age and interest levels.

När Maya och hennes klasskamrater ombeds skriva läskiga berättelser med vintertema, kommer de på några briljanta idéer: En stigande översvämning som avslöjar sedan länge begravda kroppar och spöklika barn som tar sig fram över isen på en frusen kanal. Det känns nästan som att historierna utspelar sig mitt framför näsan på alla i klassen. Och när en mystisk, ny elev reser sig för att läsa sin berättelse börjar ljuset att dämpas och klassrummet blir kallare och kallare. Den här historien känns ännu mera verklig och plötsligt befinner de sig mitt i skräckberättelsen. Och de är i fara Kan Maya stoppa historien och rädda dem innan alla dör av köld? En bok med en spännande ramberättelse som tillåter läsaren att läsa boken från pärm till pärm, men också kapitel för kapitel som riktigt läskiga spöknoveller

The first book in the thrilling Everyone Can Be a Reader (Middle Grade Sci-Fi/Fantasy) series, expertly designed to engage reluctant readers and provide an accessible reading experience for all. "As you all know, Grimstone Hall is thought to be the most haunted house in England. But there's something more important than that. I think we are the only haunted house where all the ghosts are children. It's rather special, don't you think?" Jake and the other finalists in a ghost-story writing competition for children have been invited to tour Grimstone Hall where they'll learn about the seven ghosts who haunt the grounds As their guide leads them through grand rooms, hidden nooks, and magnificent grounds, they hear all about the ghosts. But strange shapes and shadows follow Jake as they move through the house, and the tour guide starts behaving very suspiciously. With each tale told, Jake grows more anxious. Soon he'll discover something is very, very wrong . . . Perfect for anyone seeking spooky middle grade books or scary stories to tell in the dark, the Everyone Can Be a Reader (Middle Grade Sci-Fi/Fantasy) hi-lo book series presents accessible ghost stories in an easy-to-read style. Union Square & Co.'s EVERYONE CAN BE A READER books utilize dyslexia reading tools like specialized fonts and paper tones, and are carefully formatted to meet readers where they are with engaging stories that encourage reading success across a wide range of age and interest levels.

En ensam flicka. En elak mobbare. En otäck hemlighet ... Kriget bryter ut, och för att slippa ifrån de fallande bomberna måste Rosie flytta ut på landet till den snälla mrs Taylor och hennes dotter Mary. Men Mary avskyr Rosie från första stund och behandlar henne illa. Rosie vill helst bara åka hem igen, men så möter hon en märklig flicka som simmar i en damm i skogen. Rosie hoppas att de ska bli vänner – i stället leder mötet till ett avslöjande som kommer att få fruktansvärda konsekvenser för dem alla ... En kuslig spökhistoria i andra världskrigets skugga, av författaren till SJU SPÖKEN.

"Innan Jake gick vidare kastade han en blick tillbaka i korridoren och tyckte att han såg en flicka stå där. En blek, mager flicka. Bara för en sekund." Jake har blivit inbjuden till ett ståtligt gods där han och några andra ungdomar ska få uppleva en mycket ovanlig rundtur. Medan deras guide leder dem från det ena storslagna rummet till det andra, ska de få lyssna till historien om sju spöken som hemsöker godset. Men konstiga skuggor förföljer Jake genom huset, och för varje berättelse han får höra blir han alltmer illa till mods. Långsamt börjar han förstå att något är väldigt, väldigt fel ... En klassisk spökhistoria med ett mycket oväntat slut, sedd genom den unge Jakes ögon. Med suggestiva, gotiskt inspirerade illustrationer av författaren själv.

Award-winning master of scary stories Chris Priestley returns with a spine-tingling collection of ghostly tales to chill you to the bone … When Maya and her classmates are asked to write a creepy story with a winter theme, they come up with some brilliant ideas. Rising floodwaters uncover long-buried bodies and ghostly children take to the ice on a frozen canal. But as each of the stories is read out in class, Maya grows more and more uncomfortable. She features in each of her friends’ creepy tales and they start to feel a little too real. Finally, when a mysterious new girl stands up to read the last story of the day, the light outside dims and it starts to snow. The classroom starts to freeze but everyone is trapped. Can Maya stop the story before the nightmare comes true? Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

A gathering of finalists in a writing competition goes very, very wrong in this ghostly multi-narrative Halloween horror. Jake and the other finalists in a writing competition have been invited to a stately house for a tour like no other. As their guide leads them through grand rooms, hidden nooks and magnificent grounds, they hear the stories of seven ghosts who haunt the halls. But strange shapes and shadows follow Jake as he journeys through the house and with each tale that Jake hears, he begins to feel more uneasy. All is not as it seems and soon Jake will discover that something is very, very wrong … Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Discover the weird and wonderful world of Maudlin Towers – brilliantly written and illustrated throughout by Chris Priestley in this striking and funny package. Mildew and Sponge don’t think much of Maudlin Towers, the blackened, gloom-laden, gargoyle-infested monstrosity that is their school. But when a meteorite crash-lands in the school grounds, things become even stranger than they have ever been before! Not only do a group of schoolgirls and their teacher turn up needing somewhere to stay, but further investigation of the meteorite soon proves that it might be a spaceship. Could aliens be hiding in the school grounds somewhere? (You might have spotted them already!) Plus, has anyone noticed a giant eyeball floating about the place? Most importantly, can Mildew and Sponge save the day – and the school – once more? This hugely funny, deliciously creepy and action-packed series is perfect for 8+ readers who like their mysteries with a twist. Fans of Lemony Snicket and Chris Riddell will love Maudlin Towers. Have you read all of Mildew and Sponge's adventures? Maudlin Towers: Curse of the Werewolf BoyMaudlin Towers: Treasure of the Golden SkullMaudlin Towers: Attack of the Meteor Monsters

Illustreret, humoristisk, action-packed og creepy fortælling om to kiksede kostskoledrenges detektivarbejde for at finde deres skoles forsvundne trofæ Skoleskeen. Varulve, vikinger, spøgelser og tidsrejser bliver blandet sammen i et stort kaos af et mysterium, som de to drenge skal forsøge at løse. Pressen skriver: »Hvis du snupper en bog fra hylden med titlen Varulvens skygge, forventer du sikkert, at den handler om varulve. Men i dette tilfælde vil du blive overrasket, for selvom der ganske rigtigt er en varulv eller to med i handlingen, kommer de først så sent, at du har glemt alt om væsner, der er halvt mennesker, halvt ulve. I stedet nyder du bare turen gennem denne omgang klassisk engelsk vanvidsskriveri.« - Emil Blichfeldt, Weekendavisen »Smaddergod højtlæsningsbog fra 7-8 år eller som selvlæsning fra 9-10 år til fans af sjove bøger. Den er ikke uhyggelig på trods af den gotiske følelse og de besynderlige karakterer. Det er ren spas og løjer på den lækre absurde måde vi ofte ser fra England. Anbefales.« - Bibliotekat »Humoristisk, hæsblæsende og totalt vanvittig historie om de to kiksede elever Mugge og Gærhardt, der kæmper for at undgå at tilbringe ferien på deres forhadte kostskole. Niveauet kræver en solid læser, der kan holde styr på de mange personer og handling. Sproget er sprudlende, men også udfordrende. De sort/hvide tegninger giver ekstra liv til de underlige og sære personligheder, der virkelig folder sig ud i denne bog.« - Pia Gunilla Park, Lektør

Return to the weird and wonderful world of Maudlin Towers for a second adventure – brilliantly written and illustrated throughout by Chris Priestley in this striking and funny package. Mildew and Sponge don’t think much of Maudlin Towers, the blackened, gloom-laden, gargoyle-infested monstrosity that is their school. But when they are told the school might close, our heroes realise that being apart and somewhere else could be even worse! But what starts out as a secret hunt for buried treasure quickly becomes weirder than Mildew and Sponge could ever have imagined. Who is that new boy who can get people to do whatever he wants just by looking them intently in the eye? (A hypnotist!) Why does that strange teacher have tattoos and a beard? (He’s really a pirate also looking for the treasure!) Could their heartbroken English teacher hold the key to this riddle of riddles? (Just maybe …) Most importantly, can Mildew and Sponge save the day – and the school – once more? This hugely funny, deliciously creepy and action-packed series is perfect for 8+ readers who like their mysteries with a twist. Fans of Lemony Snicket and Chris Riddell will love Maudlin Towers.

The sighting of a mysterious figure leads to a horrifying revelation for evacuee Rosie in this chilling WWll ghost story. Evacuated from London at the outbreak of war, Rosie is taken in by kind Mrs Taylor and her daughter Mary. But all is not as it seems. Mary resents and bullies Rosie, and Mrs Taylor is hiding a dark secret. When Rosie comes across a strange girl swimming in a local pond, she hopes they will become friends. But instead her appearance leads to a horrifying revelation that will have terrifying consequences… Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

‘We shall be detectives, Sponge!’ exclaimed Mildew. ‘We shall solve the Mystery of the School Spoon!’Mildew and Sponge don’t think much of Maudlin Towers, the blackened, gloom-laden, gargoyle-infested monstrosity that is their school. But when somebody steals the School Spoon and the teachers threaten to cancel the Christmas holidays until the culprit is found, our heroes must spring into action and solve the crime! But what starts out as a classic bit of detectivating quickly becomes weirder than they could have imagined. Who is the ghost in the attic? What’s their history teacher doing with a time machine? And why do a crazy bunch of Vikings seem to think Mildew is a werewolf? Hugely funny, deliciously creepy and action-packed by turns, this brand new series from Chris Priestley is perfect for 8+ readers who like their mysteries with a bit of bite. Fans of Lemony Snicket and Chris Riddell will love Curse of the Werewolf Boy.

'Deeply moving' The Financial TimesDavid is sixteen. A pretty ordinary boy, in most ways - he just wants to hang out in his bedroom, reading his dad's old comics. Comics that are full of his heroes - those figures whose lives are charmed, special, unique. Life hasn't been easy recently for David, though. His father died just a couple of years ago, he has a fractious relationship with his mum, and he has fallen out with his best friend. But, David has a secret, which he hasn't told anyone. He has superpowers. He can soar through the air, he has superhearing, he feels and hears everything super-keenly. So life should be easier, then, shouldn't it? But somehow it's not - and when David gets involved with the girl next door, gorgeous Holly Harper, he begins to realise just how very complicated it can get. David's harbouring another secret, a deeper darker one, and on this journey from boyhood to manhood, will he have the courage to face up to it?