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Sam Wu is Not Afraid of Ghosts

by Kevin Tsang and Katherine Webber, illustrated by Nathan Reed

Interest age: 7 to 11
Reading age: 9+

Published by Farshore, 2018

  • Adventure
  • Chapter books
  • Funny
  • Ghost story

About this book

Sam Wu is scared of many things but is determined not to let anyone find out. However, after an unfortunate incident in a space simulator on a school trip, he becomes a target for class bully Ralph, who nicknames him Scaredy-Cat Sam. He decides the best way to stop Ralph’s teasing is to develop a reputation as the bravest person in school, so Sam acquires a fearsome sidekick: a snake called Fang. This may not be the best choice, as Sam is terrified of snakes, but he’s hopeful that he’ll overcome this minor glitch.

Sam’s best friends, Zoe and Bernard, visit his house to meet Fang. When a fuse blows, plunging them into darkness, they hear eerie noises and then realise Fang has gone missing. Sam concludes that the snake has been kidnapped by the Ghost King, a terrifying character from Sam’s favourite TV space show. Can the three friends banish the ghost, rescue Fang and live to tell the tale?

This funny, fast-paced chapter book is the first in a series of Sam Wu adventures. Full of humour, black-and-white illustrations and a wacky plot, it is ideal for any readers who enjoy shorter, illustrated books.

About the author

Kevin Tsang was born in Copenhagen in 1987 to Hong Kong Chinese parents and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He’s lived and worked in the USA, Australia and Hong Kong, and is currently based in London.

Kevin is the co-author of the young fiction series Sam Wu is Not Afraid, which he writes with his wife, author Katie Tsang (nee Katherine Webber). The series was inspired by wanting to see more books featuring children from Asian heritage backgrounds but which are accessible and enjoyable to all children. Some of Sam Wu’s experiences are based on Kevin’s own childhood. In each Sam Wu book, Sam faces a different fear but, with the support of his family and friends, as well as his own bravery, he’s able to overcome each worry. Kevin hopes that children will be both inspired and entertained by the Sam Wu books.

About the author

Katherine Webber is originally from California but currently lives in London. She has also lived and worked in Hong Kong, Maui, and Atlanta.

Her debut YA novel Wing Jones was published by Walker Books in the UK and Penguin Random House/Delacorte in the US. Katherine also writes the young fiction series Sam Wu is Not Afraid as Katie Tsang with her husband Kevin Tsang. 

Katherine is a former BookTrust employee and we all miss her terribly!

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