Walking with Witches: a great book for 9-14s

When author Lynn Huggins-Cooper read a newspaper article about the bones of witches being uncovered in St Andrew's Church in Newcastle, she knew it would make a great story.

The result is Walking with Witches, an exciting adventure for 9-14 year olds. The story is set in Newcastle in many familiar locations such as Eldon Square, Seven Stories, the Lit and Phil Library, the Castle Keep and the Sage.

Two teenage girls, Eleanor and Izzy, discover a mysterious ancient crystal that links them to the spirit of another Ellenor, a young woman who was hanged for witchcraft in Newcastle in the 17th century. It also awakens the evil shape shifter who is determined to seize Ellenor's power.

Can Eleanor and Izzy reach back through the centuries to help Ellenor and her friends? And can Ellenor protect the girls from the dark forces of the shape shifter?

The writing is both humorous and exciting, with plenty of plot to keep the reader guessing right up to the end. The story will lend itself to many creative writing themes, to the local history of Newcastle and Tyneside, to social history, history, witchcraft, women's studies, persecution, prejudice.

Lynn, who lives in County Durham, is the author of several books for children including the Too Ghoul for School series which she writes under her pen name B. Strange. She spent months researching so she could frame the story with real places and real events. Lynn worked closely with illustrator Nigel J Brewis, also from County Durham, who produced haunting line drawings for the book.

Lynn is a trained teacher and can offer great workshops for schools.

Walking with Witches is published by Tyne Bridge Publishing at Newcastle Libraries. It featured at the Northern Children's Book Festival in Newcastle in November 2008.

Author Jill Murphy reviewed it as 'a satisfyingly interesting and creepy read'.

CULTURAL AMBASSADORS' SPECIAL OFFER

Tyne Bridge Publishing is happy to supply sample copies (one per school) and to offer a generous discount for multiple copies (more than10). Normal retail price of Walking with Witches is £5.99. We can offer it to schools at just £2.50 per copy.

Contact Tyne Bridge Publishing at Newcastle City Library, PO Box 88, Newcastle upon Tyne NE99 1DX; or phone Anna Flowers on 0191 277 4174; or email anna.flowers@newcastle.gov.uk.