by Jenny Nimmo
First published 2008
Charlie Bone's life finally seems settled now that his parents are back together. But peace never lasts long at Bloor's Academy. When Asa Pike, a classmate who transforms into a beast each evening, vanishes without a trace, his desperate parents turn to Charlie for help. Charlie knows he cannot face this challenge alone. He rallies the Flames, his loyal group of friends with special abilities, to mount a rescue mission. The task grows more dangerous when Manfred Bloor, one of the academy's most sinister figures, takes a new student named Dagbert Endless under his protection. Charlie suspects these two are connected to Asa's disappearance. As Charlie and the Flames dig deeper into the mystery, they must stay one step ahead of Manfred and Dagbert, who seem to anticipate their every move. The rescue mission becomes a deadly game of cat and mouse through the shadowy halls of Bloor's Academy.
Genres: adventure, mystery, fantasy, young-adult
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, rescue-mission
Setting: Bloor's Academy
3 pages · Audio CD · Scholastic Audio Books