The Figure in the Shadows

In this sequel to *The House with a Clock in Its Walls*, Lewis Barnavelt, a shy and overweight sixth-grade boy, finds an ancient coin he believes to be a magic amulet. Hoping it will protect him from bullies and bring him luck, he tests its power with his new friend Rosa Rita. However, the magic quickly turns sinister, leading to terrifying and unexpected events that challenge Lewis's bravery and self-confidence. This chapter book explores themes of fear, courage, friendship, and the consequences of wielding power, all wrapped in a suspenseful, eerie narrative suitable for late elementary readers.

Chubby Lewis, the timid but dauntless hero of *The House with a Clock in Its Walls*, returns in an even scarier tale of magic and mystery. Investigating the contents of Grandfather Barnavelt's ancient trunk, Lewis and Uncle Jonathan discover an old coin. Lewis hopes it's an amulet whose magic will protect him from bullies. Together with his new friend Rosa Rita, he performs a test to find the coin's power--but neither Lewis nor Rosa Rita is prepared for the astonishing and sinister events that follow.