From Publishers Weekly
When his father sends him to England to live with a cousin, Cosmo faces the usual problems of being a new kid in school. Then ghosts of long-dead boys come to haunt him, and Cosmo learns the tragic secret affecting his family. PW found that this book "conveys the magic of Aiken's stylish writing and vigorous invention." Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
"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
Book Description
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.
Card catalog description
A young boy arrives at his cousin's home in England unprepared for the supernatural furor his presence unleashes.
The Shadow Guests FROM THE PUBLISHER
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.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
When his father sends him to England to live with a cousin, Cosmo faces the usual problems of being a new kid in school. Then ghosts of long-dead boys come to haunt him, and Cosmo learns the tragic secret affecting his family. PW found that this book ``conveys the magic of Aiken's stylish writing and vigorous invention.'' (10-up)
Children's Literature - Pat Trattles
Poor Cosmo. His mother and older brother mysteriously disappear, and he is sent to England to live with his strange cousin, the famed mathematician, Eunice Doom. Things start out badly when no one is at the airport to meet him on his arrival, and continue to go down hill as he tries to fit into life at his new boarding school, where the other students in his form have apparently taken an immediate dislike of him. On top of it all, Cosmo is visited by ghosts from his family's past and discovers that he is at the center of an ancient family curse. These ghosts, or shadow guests, demand that Cosmo help them, and though reluctant at first, Cosmo eventually forms bonds with them that help him in forging friendships with his schoolmates. There is just enough mystery and intrigue in the story to keep young readers engaged in Cosmo's story. Couple that with the sprinkling of English culture and smattering of British terms (form for class, boot for car trunk) and Aiken's story is a winner. 2003 (orig. 1980), Starscape/Tom Doherty Associates,
Art & Photography
Book Info
