Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase

Gr 5–10—In a turn-of-the-century steampunk-flavored London, teenager Lucy Carlyle is one of a special few who have the psychic abilities to see-and the nerve to eliminate-the British community's Problem, a dangerous ghost epidemic. Children are the first line of defense against the influx of these Visitors whose Ghost Touch can kill, since they are invisible and almost undetectable to adults. When Lucy joins charismatic Anthony Lockwood and his obnoxious partner, George, they are assigned a case which, if solved, may allow them to prove themselves in a business regulated by adults. But first they must survive the night in one of the most haunted houses in all of England. Stroud does not disappoint with this thrilling adventure (Disney-Hyperion, 2013) which, while predictable in places, is well paced and filled with such humor balanced with chilling details that it somehow manages to simultaneously reassure and terrify the reader. In her first audiobook recording, Miranda Raison's characterizations and lovely British accent add even more dimension to the story, creating an audiobook that is preferable to the traditional print version. Recommended for those who loved Stroud's "Bartimaeus" series, who are looking for a somewhat tamer version of the "Monstrumologist" series, or anyone who just loves a good ghost story.—Chani Craig. Turners Falls High School and Great Falls Middle School, Montague, MA