book cover

Grave Matter

by Juno Dawson, illustrated by Alex T Smith

Interest age: 13 to 16
Reading age: 8+

Published by Barrington Stoke, 2017

  • Ghost story
  • Horror
  • Love and romance

About this book

Samuel is crushed, heartbroken, grief-stricken.

Since Eliza died, his life has ground to a halt. He doesn’t know how to go on without her and would, quite literally, do anything to see her again. And that is how he gets caught up in the sinister rituals of an occult sect that promises to bring back his one true love.

But, as the saying goes, ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’, and Samuel’s pact with the dark side has consequences he cannot control and could never have imagined.

This beautifully presented novella is creepy, disturbing and genuinely chilling. Brilliantly portraying the ecstasy of first love and the trauma of loss and grief, it succeeds in being simultaneously gripping, entertaining and thought-provoking. With incidental black-and-white illustrations, this is a substantial and complex addition to any super-readable bookshelf.

About the author

Juno Dawson grew up in West Yorkshire, writing imaginary episodes of Doctor Who. She later turned her talent to journalism, interviewing bands before writing for a Brighton newspaper. Until recently, Juno worked as a teacher, specialising in PSHE. She is most proud of her work surrounding anti-bullying and family diversity. In 2014 she became a School Role Model for the charity Stonewall. In 2015, Juno announced her intention to undergo gender transition and live as a woman.

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