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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

      Paperback edition cover
      Paperback
      Jan 1982 Penguin (UK) ISBN13 9780140313888 ISBN10 0140313885
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      Paperback
      Nov 1986 Yearling ISBN13 9780440482260 ISBN10 0440482267
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      Paperback
      Dec 1992 Red Fox (UK) ISBN13 9780099888208 ISBN10 0099888203
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      Mass Market Paperback
      Feb 2003 Starscape (Tor) ISBN13 9780765345301 ISBN10 0765345307
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      Hardcover

      Hardcover edition cover
      Hardcover
      First Edition Jan 1980 Delacorte ISBN13 9780440077473 ISBN10 0440077478
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      Hardcover
      Sep 1980 Delacorte ISBN13 9780385288897 ISBN10 0385288891
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      Hardcover
      Dec 1987 Random House (UK) ISBN13 9780224017978 ISBN10 0224017977
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      Hardcover
      Feb 2003 Turtleback Books ISBN13 9780613866439 ISBN10 0613866436
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      eBook

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      eBook
      Feb 2003 Tor ISBN13 9781466820586 ISBN10 1466820586
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      eBook
      Feb 2003 Puffin ISBN13 9780241337370 ISBN10 0241337372
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      eBook
      Feb 2003 Penguin (UK) ISBN13 9780241337363 ISBN10 0241337364
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      eBook
      Feb 2003 Starscape ISBN10 B00846X4QY
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      Large Print

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      Hardcover
      Nov 1993 Chivers ISBN13 9780745119137 ISBN10 0745119131
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