Gloom Town

A delightfully creepy novel from a Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner imbued with magic and seafaring mythology. Lemony Snicket and Jessica Townsend meet Greenglass House, with a hint of Edward Gorey thrown in.

When twelve-year-old Rory applies for a job at a spooky old mansion in his gloomy seaside town, he finds the owner, Lord Foxglove, odd and unpleasant. But he and his mom need the money, so he takes the job anyway. Rory soon finds out that his new boss is not just strange, he’s not even human—and he’s trying to steal the townspeople’s shadows. Together, Rory and his friend Isabella set out to uncover exactly what Foxglove and his otherworldly accomplices are planning and devise a strategy to defeat them. But can two kids defeat a group of ancient evil beings who are determined to take over the world?

Another delightfully creepy tale from Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award–winning author Ronald L. Smith.

• An Unlikely Hero: Twelve-year-old Rory isn’t a warrior—he’s a valet. But when he discovers his boss, the sinister Lord Foxglove, isn’t human, he’ll have to find the courage to fight back.
• A Spooky Mystery: Rory just wanted a job to help his mom. He didn’t expect to uncover a terrifying plot to steal the shadows from everyone in his gloomy hometown.
• Magic and Monsters: Lord Foxglove and his creepy accomplices are more than just strange. They are ancient, otherworldly beings with a terrifying plan for the world.
• Books About Friendship: Rory can’t face this evil alone. He’ll need to team up with his best friend, Isabella, to solve the mystery and save the day.