Black Maria

On the surface, Aunt Maria seems like a cuddly old lady, all chit-chat and lace doilies and unadulterated NICEness! When Mig and her family go for a short visit, they soon learn that Aunt Maria rules the place with a rod of sweetness that’s tougher than iron and deadlier than poison. Life revolves around tea parties, while the men are all grey-suited zombies who fade into the background, and the other children seem like clones. The short visit becomes a long stay, and when all talk of going home ceases, Mig despairs! Things go from bad to worse when Mig’s brother Chris tries to rebel, but is changed into a wolf . Mig is convinced that Aunt Maria must be a witch – but who will believe her? It’s up to Mig to figure out what’s going on. Maybe the ghost who haunts the downstairs bedroom holds the key? In Black Maria, Diana Wynne Jones, an award-winning author, weaves a multigenerational tale of magic and mystery. The bestselling book, short-listed for numerous prizes, takes readers on a journey where time seems to stand still, and the line between fantasy and reality blurs. For fans of Katherine Rundell (Rooftoppers), Robin Stevens (The Ministry of Unladylike Activity 2), Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief), Cressida Cowell (Which Way Round the Galaxy), and Philip Pullman (The Secret Commonwealth).