THE BOGGART AND THE MONSTER

He's back--and up to his old tricks!It's been two years since Emily and Jess Volnik visited ancient Castle Keep in Scotland and made the acquaintance of the Boggart, a mischievous shape-shifting spirit who has lived in the castle for centuries. Now they've returned for another Scottish adventure, joining their old friend Tommy and Mr. Maconochie, the new owner of Castle keep, on a trip to Loch Ness, where a new expedition is determined to find the fabled monster.Of course, the fun-loving Boggart comes along for the ride, and wherever the Boggart goes, things are bound to get lively. But this time the Boggart has a serious mission. His cousin Nessie is trapped in the monster shape he assumed long ago, and it's up to the Boggart to keep Nessie from being discovered by the expedition's high-tech equipment. Is modern science any match for the Boggart's ancient magic?

Set in the Highlands of Scotland, The Boggart and the Monster has all the trademarks of a first-class adventure: magic, high-tech expeditions, and mythical monsters. The boggart of MacDevon Castle, a mischievous shape-shifting spirit, spends his days happily playing tricks on the new owner of the castle. After discovering his old cousin Nessie miles down in the murky waters of Loch Ness, the boggart must enlist the help of a few human friends to return, with Nessie in tow, to his beloved castle. With a team of scientists hot on their trail, the MacDevon boggart and Nessie begin their adventure. Susan Cooper's inventive writing, infused with both scientific and magical elements, will captivate even the most disbelieving of young adults. (Ages 8 to 12)