Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by Jonathan Stroud

Interest age: 10+
Reading age: 11+

Published by HarperCollins, 2014

Adventure
Ghost story
Horror

About this book

Best known for his sarcastic djinni creation Bartimaeus, Stroud returns with an equally engaging new series, this time following a young set of ghost hunters. In the world of Lockwood & Co., only children can see the ghostly spectres that haunt the modern world and so it’s down to them to hunt them out. Adults lose their ability to see, yet not to feel the violent effects of a haunting. Young hero Lockwood combines an impulsive nature with a genius brain, which make him rather a clever ghost sleuth - if somewhat unlucky in business. Choosing to operate without an adult supervisor, he works instead with ever-hungry assistant George, who is never far from a sugary doughnut, and new employee Lucy.

As always, Stroud's writing is brimming with sumptuous description and the action is pulse-racing. Beware the faint of heart, for the ghostly encounters may send you cowering behind the sofa - but young readers looking for a spooky story are certain to be entertained by this enjoyable adventure.

Lockwood and Co teaching resources

About the author

Jonathan Stroud is the author of the best-selling Bartimaeus sequence, which is published in 35 languages and has sold six million copies worldwide. Lockwood & Co. is Stroud's chilling new series about a ghost-hunting trio. Jonathan has yet to see a ghost, but is keeping his eyes open.

What to read next

We know that children can get hooked on a favourite book series or author and struggle to find something they love as much, but we’re here to help.

Lockwood & Co: what to read next

We love the Lockwood & Co series for its unsettling suspense, the brilliant plotting and the humour between the characters. We’ve been enjoying the TV series as well – it’s so atmospheric and full of amazing action! So, once you’ve read all five books by Jonathan Stroud, where do you turn for more ghosts, banter and amazing fighting skills? Try some of these suggestions.