Childish Spirits 10th anniversary special edition
“The truth will set you free.”
When Ellie and her family move into Inchwood Manor, Ellie quickly discovers strange things are happening. Who is the mysterious boy at the window? What secrets lie within the abandoned nursery? Who is the woman who haunts Ellie’s dreams – and why has she returned to the Manor, after more than a century?
Ellie finds herself entangled in a Victorian mystery of ghosts and tunnels and secret documents – and discovers that life all those years ago isn’t so different from the world she knows today...
First published in 2014, this five star-reviewed children’s novel was longlisted for the Bath and WriteMentor Children’s Novel Awards and nominated for the People’s Book Prize.
This is a tenth anniversary special edition with new material and also includes four Spirits short stories never before published in book form. A must for all fans of the Spirits series and Rob Keeley’s work.
'A good introduction to ghost stories for upper primary age children.' The School Librarian
"Entertaining, suspenseful ghost story for kids." Lovewriting
Exclusive to eBook! Published 15 May 2024.
To read about the original Childish Spirits, see reviews and buy the book, eBook or audiobook, click here…
Reviews of the tenth anniversary edition
‘Around here, we're big fans of children's author Rob Keeley. He's a ball of happy positivity, he understands children, and he writes for their pleasure and enjoyment, not to lecture or hector.
The Spirits series is one of his greatest achievements. It's a sequence of ghost stories centring on Ellie, a stalwart young girl who can cope with anything the spirit world throws at her, and Edward, a spoiled lordling and the first spirit Ellie encounters. The books are ghost mysteries and fantastic to read, covering ground from family break up, to British black history, Elizabethan England and even an attempt to prevent WWII by capitulating to the Nazis.
It's ten years since the first book in the series was published and Rob has decided to celebrate with an anniversary edition of the first novel, Childish Spirits. The main narrative is tidied up and has some new scenes added - readers will enjoy spotting them and discovering a secret Miss McKendrick would rather they didn't! There's a prologue and an epilogue now, and the addition of four short stories with an explanation of where they fit into the overall arc of the series. I particularly enjoyed ‘The Spirit of the Season’ in which a mean earl gets a lesson in seasonal good cheer.
Fans of this series will find a lot to enjoy. They can play spot the difference from the original and get some new material to boot. What's not to like?’
-Jill Murphy, The Bookbag
‘This is the Author’s cut – so to speak! – with this [tenth] anniversary special release… There are new short stories to be enjoyed in this edition, which fit in well with the other books in the series so if you’re a fan of this series, as I am, it was nice to get these new additions – and if you’ve not read any of this series before then what are you waiting for?!! It’s perfect for readers of all ages, be they big or small!’
-Karen Mace, blogger
‘This is a special 10th Anniversary edition full of extra material that was left out of the original book, so like a director’s cut…
It was still a great ghost story for middle grade readers. It’s full of humour, spookiness, drama and a great mystery too.
I loved the new short stories at the end of the book, particularly The Spirit of the Season with Francis from The Sword of the Spirit, my favourite book in Rob Keeley’s Spirits series.
Definitely recommended if [you] enjoy fun ghost stories for middle grade readers.’
-Secret Library Book Blog
‘Full of as many twists and turns as the Manor itself, this story should keep you guessing until the end, and, complete with clues, ghostly happenings, and disastrous turns of fate, it will also keep you in suspense.’
-The Wood Between The Worlds blog - read the full fabulous review here:
‘These new stories give you more insight into Edward’s short life and his ghostly antics… If you love the series then you really need to grab a copy of the tenth anniversary edition and read the book again and these new tales too.’
-Whispering Stories - see also the letter from Edward posted here!
A Letter from the Ghost of Edward Fitzberranger (Aged 10, Forever) - Whispering Stories
