Zilpha Keatley Snyder begon in 1964 met het schrijven van kinderboeken en voltooide gedurende haar carrière 43 werken, voornamelijk gericht op kinderen van 9 tot 13 jaar. Haar verhalen staan bekend om hun vermogen om de kinderlijke verbeelding te vangen en thema's als vriendschap en familie te verkennen. Snyder toonde een grote veelzijdigheid in genres, variërend van fantasy tot realistische fictie, met een stijl die resoneert bij jonge lezers.
A group of children, entranced with the study of Egypt, play their own Egypt game, are visited by a secret oracle, become involved in a murder, and befriend the Professor before they move on to new interests, such as Gypsies.
A series of dog disappearances in David Stanley's neighborhood leads his determined eight-year-old sister, Janie, to establish the J.V. Stanley detective agency. As they investigate the potential dognapping, suspicion falls on the new Vietnamese family, the Trans. Joined by friends and family, David and Janie dive into a perilous search for a missing poodle, facing unexpected dangers along the way. The story explores themes of friendship, community, and the risks involved in uncovering the truth.
Life is never quite the same again for eleven-year-old David after the arrival of his new stepsister, a student of the occult.
Jessica has read enough books to know that her cat Worm must be a witch’s cat. He’s cast a spell on her, but to whom can she turn? After all, no one will believe that Worm has bewitched her . . . or worse,
The story follows 12-year-old William S. Baggett, who feels suffocated by his difficult family life. Prompted by his sister, he decides to escape with his two youngest siblings. Their adventure quickly takes unexpected turns, leading to challenges that test their bond and resilience. As they navigate their journey, William discovers the complexities of family and the importance of facing problems rather than running away.
The story follows familiar characters as they embark on a new adventure involving Gypsies. April is eager and enthusiastic, while Melanie feels hesitant as new information surfaces. Toby, claiming to be a real Gypsy, adds excitement by offering props from his grandmother. However, the fun takes a serious turn when Toby goes missing, prompting the group to confront the challenges of real-life Gypsy experiences. Their quest to find Toby reveals deeper issues, highlighting the contrast between imagination and reality.
Thirteen-year-old William, now living with his Aunt Fiona and siblings, embarks on an exciting journey as he lands a role as Puck in a professional production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. This opportunity not only allows him to explore his passion for acting but also highlights themes of family, belonging, and the transformative power of theater.
