Dread Wood

In the middle-grade novel from the author of Crater Lake, four classmates are forced to come to school on a Saturday, where they find themselves in danger from a mysterious creature that has dragged their teacher underground. They must work together to survive, but they are also being watched and plotted against by someone who is out for revenge.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

The captivating middle-grade novel by the acclaimed author of the super-spooky Crater Lake is a must-read for fans of R.L. Stine's Goosebumps series. With its perfect blend of deliciously scary and hilarious comedy-horror, this book is sure to captivate readers aged 9 and above.

"Deliciously scary and hilarious comedy-horror, perfectly pitched for eight-plus." – The Guardian

"Brilliantly creepy fun for young horror fans, with an unexpectedly moving ending." – The i

Featured as one of the 30 best children's books for Easter by The Guardian, this novel showcases Jennifer Killick's exceptional talent for blending horror and humor. The spiky dialogue, relentless pace, and genuinely menacing atmosphere build to a tremendous climax, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.

"Jennifer Killick's talent for horror and humor is blended brilliantly here as the spiky dialogue, unstoppable pace, and genuinely menacing atmosphere build to a tremendous climax." – Daily Mail

"A heart-stopping thrill ride of a book." – M.G. Leonard, author of the Adventures on Trains series

"BRILLIANT!" – Vashti Hardy, author of Brightstorm

Acclaimed as the winner of the Young Reader category in the Children's Literature Festivals Book Awards 2023, this novel is a testament to its brilliance. It follows a group of classmates, Hallie, Angelo, Gustav, and Naira, who are forced to attend school on a Saturday, thinking that things can't get any worse. However, they are wrong. Things are about to get seriously scary.

What has dragged their teacher underground? Why do the creepy caretakers keep humming the tune to "Itsy Bitsy Spider"? And what horrors lurk in the shadows, getting stronger and meaner every minute? Cut off from help and in danger every time they touch the ground, the gangs' only hope is to work together. But it's no coincidence that they're all there on detention. Someone has been watching and plotting, and they are out for revenge.

As the students delve deeper into the mystery, they discover that their teacher has been possessed by a powerful demon, and the caretakers are its minions. The demon's goal is to bring chaos and destruction to the school, and it will stop at nothing to achieve its mission. The students must use all their skills and resources to defeat the demon and save their classmates.

The novel is filled with thrilling and suspenseful moments, as the students face various challenges and obstacles. From encountering terrifying creatures to solving complex puzzles, they must use their wits and teamwork to overcome the demon's forces. The ending is a heart-stopping thrill ride, as the students finally confront the demon and bring it to its knees.

In conclusion, The Demon in the School is a must-read middle-grade novel for fans of horror and adventure. With its perfect blend of scary and funny, this book is sure to captivate readers of all ages. Jennifer Killick's exceptional talent for horror and humor is on full display, and the story is filled with thrilling and suspenseful moments that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Weight: 240g
Dimension: 129 x 196 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755503711