The Carnival of Lost Souls

The Carnival of Lost Souls introduces Jack Carr, a resilient foster child who finds solace and identity in mastering escape artistry, inspired by Harry Houdini. His life takes a dark turn when his new guardian, the Professor, reveals a dangerous secret: a soul-bartering deal with the undead magician Mussini. To save the Professor, Jack is sent to the 'Forest of the Dead,' a liminal space between worlds, where he's forced to perform in Mussini's macabre traveling show. With the help of other 'stolen' children, Jack must channel his inner Houdini to escape this perilous realm before he becomes a permanent resident. This exciting debut novel explores themes of belonging, bravery, and the power of ingenuity in the face of overwhelming odds, suitable for late elementary to middle school readers.

For one charismatic kid, the dangerous world of the Forest of the Dead becomes the setting for the ultimate escape trick in this exciting debut novel. Jack Carr has been shuttled from foster home to group home to foster home his entire life. The only constant has been his interest in magic, especially handcuff escapes like those mastered by his hero, Harry Houdini. When he’s placed with the Professor, however, he feels like he’s finally found a home—but his new guardian is hiding a dangerous secret. Years ago the Professor bartered his soul to the undead magician Mussini, and when the payment is due, he sends Jack in his place. Jack must travel with Mussini to the Forest of the Dead, a place in between the real world and the afterlife, where he’s forced to perform in Mussini’s traveling magic show. If he stays in the Forest long enough, he’ll die himself. To find his way home, he’ll have the help of Mussini’s other “minions”—kids stolen just like Jack—and his wits, nothing more. Can he follow the example of his hero, Houdini, and escape the inescapable?