Shadow School #1: Archimancy

by J. A. White

On Sale: 08/27/2019

Enlarge Book Cover

Shadow School #1: Archimancy

by J. A. White

On Sale: 08/27/2019

Format:

Amazon Indigo

View More Retailers

Book Overview
Author Info

About the Book

From the acclaimed author of Nightbooks and The Thickety comes a spooky series, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Adam Gidwitz, and Stranger Things!

Cordelia Liu knew Shadow School was going to be different. Still, she didn’t expect the school grounds to be filled with ghosts.

Cordelia soon realizes she’s not the only one who can see the ghosts; her new friend Benji can too. Together with super-smart Agnes, the trio are determined to find out why the ghosts are there, and whether there’s a way to set them free.

But the school was created with more sinister intentions, and someone is willing to go to extreme lengths to ensure that the ghosts remain trapped forever.

Check out the book that School Library Journal called a “delightful blend of friendship, suspense, and spectral sightings [that] belongs on most shelves!”

Critical Praise

“Just the right balance of humor, mystery, and scariness for a preteen audience. A fun addition to the growing genre of scary books for middle graders; readers will be eager to see more of this smart and spunky trio in further spooky adventures.” — Kirkus Reviews

“The story balances the spookier elements with the humorous and/or difficult going-ons of middle school. Heart and humor elevate the formulaic tropes, making this as easy quick pick for a just creepy enough read.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“White opens the Shadow School trilogy with a well-paced thriller of a new-kid-at-school narrative. Tension builds to a crescendo when an overnight rescue attempt goes awry, and the ending promises more adventures to come for Cordelia and her friends.” — ALA Booklist

“The preteens’ friendship is realistic and appealing. The suspense is engaging and consistent throughout, and there’s a perfect mix of scares and mystery that will entice even the most fainthearted of readers. VERDICT This delightful blend of friendship, suspense, and spectral sightings belongs on most shelves.” — School Library Journal

Praise for Nightbooks: “Fans of gloomy fare such as Lemony Snicket, Adam Gidwitz, or Neil Gaiman will find an equally twisting and terrifying tale here.” — School Library Journal (starred review)

“A thrilling tale of magic that is just scary enough.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Praise for the Thickety series: “Darkly bewitching. Readers will devour each twist and turn of the plot, right up to the startling conclusion.” — School Library Journal

“The twisted plot is perfectly matched by the twisted atmosphere. . . . Spine-tingling.” — Booklist (starred review)