About this item
For fans of Goosebumps and other young horror titles, here is the first book of The Goolz Next Door series. When horror novelist Frank Goolz and his daughters, Ilona and Suzie, move next door, twelve-year-old Harold is only hoping to make exciting new friends. But he soon learns that Frank's books are actually based on real-life paranormal adventures. Suddenly a gift from Ilona seems much more dangerous than he ever imagined. Could it be fulfilling his darkest wishes?Twelve-year-old Harold Bell lives a pretty normal life in his little seaside town. He fills his days with reading books, cruising down the boardwalk, and--unfortunately--trying to stay off the radar of Alex Hewitt and his pack of goons who can't resist bullying a boy in a wheelchair. But everything changes when famous horror novelist Frank Goolz moves next door with his daughters--beautiful, fierce Ilona and her troublemaking little sister, Suzie. Harold soon learns that life with the Goolz is never quiet and it's definitely not normal. Frank's novels are, in fact, based on his family's real-life paranormal adventures. At their home, lights flash inexplicably, objects move on their own, and grotesque specters appear in the attic. When Ilona gives Harold "the stone of the dead," he knows there's no going back. The stone can make things happen, but its powers can't be controlled. Bullies start vanishing, and it seems to be the work of a terrifying ghost who has attached herself to Harold. Could Harold unknowingly be causing the stone to fulfill his own darkest wishes?
About the Author
Gary Ghislain was born in France to a Franco-Spanish family. He grew up between Paris and the French Riviera. After receiving a Master Degree in literature and linguistics at the University of Paris 8, he decided to travel the world. English quickly became his everyday language, the one in which he writes and publishes his novels. He specializes in children's literature. He is the author of the critically acclaimed, multi-awards winning middle grade series "The Goolz Next Door" (Boyds Mills Kane) and the sci-fi comedy "How I Stole Johnny Depp's Alien Girlfriend" (Chronicle Books) . He currently lives in Antibes on the French Riviera where he continues to develop The Goolz Next Door universe. LITERARY AWARDS - Echappée Lecture 2020 for best children fiction- Litterado Award 2019 for best children fiction- Crok'livre Award 2019 for best fiction - Talents Cultura Award 2018 for best children fiction - Dimoitou Award 2018 for best fiction Selected on the 2012 Tayshas reading list Nominated by the American Library Association for the 2012 Best Fiction for Young Adult Nominated by Teen Vogue as the 25 must-read novels of 2011
