The Scream

Aiken, Joan. The Scream. New York: Macmillan Children’s Books, 2003. ISBN 978-0330397032 There’s something strange about David’s sister Lu-Lyn. She seems to think she holds a dark power that’s been handed down through their family — does she really believe she can put curses on people? And worse yet–could it be true? David’s family comes…

Cold Shoulder Road

Aiken, Joan. Cold Shoulder Road. New York: Doubleday, 1995. ISBN 0038532182 Reader’s Annotation: Is and Arun Twite have come to the dreary town of Folkestone to visit Arun’s mother. Instead, they find themselves facing smugglers, kidnappers, and giant, hairy guard-spiders in this creepy gothic adventure. Plot Summary: Is Twite, first introduced in Is Underground, and…

The Whispering Mountain

Aiken, Joan. The Whispering Mountain. New York: Doubleday, 1968. ISBN 0765342413 (pbk) Reader’s Annotation: The legendary Harp of Teirtu has been stolen, and young Owen Hughes is accused of its theft. Only Owen knows what actually happened to the priceless harp, and it’s up to him to get it back from the real thief, the…