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      The Shadow Guests

      by Joan Aiken
      Published
      Sep 1980
      Main Genre
      Horror Horror
      Rating
      Pages
      192
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      About This Book

      Coping with a family tragedy from a strange a new home, a boy encounters ghosts linked to his heritage in this supernatural fantasy for young readers.

      After the mysterious disappearance of both his mother and older brother, Cosmo is sent away to live with his eccentric mathematician aunt. Lonely and confused, Cosmo must also deal with being the new kid at school. Not an easy assignment! But things take a weird twist when Cosmo is visited by ghosts from the past. Ghosts who claim to need his help fighting an ancient curse!

      Only in time will Cosmo learn that he is at the center of that ancient—and deadly—curse.

      "Writing seems to be as natural to Joan Aiken as breathing; her imagination is as untrammeled as ever, the precise construction of the astonishing plot lends conviction, and her style is as witty and sparkling with images." —The Horn Book

      "Through interactions between characters, Aiken brings out the bittersweet ironies of friendships both otherworldly and in the here-and-now. Her sense of timing unfurls the mystery at just the right pace, giving the curse its rightful aura of power." —Booklist

      Genres & Themes

      Genres

      Speculative Fiction

      Subgenres

      Horror

      Themes

      Paranormal

      Age Level

      Young Adult / Teens

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      Formats & Editions

      Browse the different covers, formats, and publication history for this title.

      Paperback

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      Paperback
      Jan 1982 Penguin (UK) ISBN 0140313885
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      Paperback
      Nov 1986 Yearling ISBN 0440482267
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      Paperback
      Dec 1992 Red Fox (UK) ISBN 0099888203
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      Mass Market Paperback
      Feb 2003 Starscape (Tor) ISBN 0765345307
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      Hardcover

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      Hardcover
      First Edition Jan 1980 Delacorte ISBN 0440077478
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      Hardcover
      Sep 1980 Delacorte ISBN 0385288891
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      Hardcover
      Dec 1987 Random House (UK) ISBN 0224017977
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      Hardcover
      Feb 2003 Turtleback Books ISBN 0613866436
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      eBook

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      eBook
      Feb 2003 Penguin (UK) ISBN 0241337364
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      eBook
      Feb 2003 Starscape ISBN B00846X4QY
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      eBook
      Feb 2003 Tor ISBN 1466820586
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      eBook
      Feb 2003 Puffin ISBN 0241337372
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      Large Print

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      Hardcover
      Nov 1993 Chivers ISBN 0745119131
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