The Creakers by Tom Fletcher

Penguin, 2017. ISBN 9780141388762
(Age: 10+) Recommended. "What silently waits in the shadows at night? What's under your bed, keeping just out of sight? Do you ever hear strange, creaking noises at night? Ever wonder what makes those noises? Lucy Dungston always did. Until, one morning, Lucy discovers that all the grown-ups have disappeared - as if into thin air. Chaos descends as the children in Lucy's town run riot. It's mayhem. It's madness. To most kids, it's amazing! But Lucy wants to find out the truth. Lucy lost her dad not long ago, and she's determined not to lose her mum too. She's going to get her back - and nothing is going to stop her...
...except maybe the Creakers." (Publisher)
Tom Fletcher is certainly a talented author. He has managed to capture his audience once again as in The Christmassaurus. It will certainly be a big hit with the girls with the lead character being a short haired heroine who is kind, smart and brave! Lucy is an inspiring role model who stands up for what she believes in and feels quite comfortable making friends with children that are usually outcasts. It is interesting to find the hidden message of the importance and usefulness of recycling and sustainability with waste products. The book will ignite the imagination in all and engage even the most reluctant reader. With snippets of unbelievable magic and laugh out loud moments, Fletcher's book has mastered the art of describing things in a funny way. I can see children aged ten and up (as there are a few scary bits) enjoying this read - a must have for the library collection. It would also make a great read aloud with some adult humour sprinkled throughout.
Kathryn Schumacher