The Figure In the Shadows

John Bellairs (1938–1991) was an award-winning American author of many gothic mystery novels for children and young adults, including The House with a Clock in Its Walls (which received both the New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year Award and the American Library Association Children’s Books of International Interest Award), The Lamp from the Warlock’s Tomb (which won the Edgar Award), and The Specter from the Magician’s Museum, which won the New York Public Library “Best Books for the Teen Age” Award.

Mercer Mayer began writing and illustrating children’s books in 1966, and since then, he has published over 300 titles. Readers can open any of his award-winning books and out may pop dragons, cuddly monsters, wonderful creatures, and endearing critters. Drawing from his own childhood adventures for inspiration, Mayer created one of children’s books’ most cherished characters, Little Critter. He lives in Connecticut.