Gloam
Sale price
$1697
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

Gloam

Written by Jack Mackay

A girl battles a sinister babysitter hiding a monstrous secret to protect her family.

4.1 Goodreads · 440 ratings
208 pages· 650L
$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Gwen's new home on a damp island hides dark secrets. With her mom gone, she must protect her siblings from Esme, a babysitter with a chilling secret. As nightmares come alive and the house decays, Gwen faces her fears to save her family. Can she uncover Esme's true nature before it's too late?

From the publisher

For fans of Small Spaces and Goosebumps comes a delightfully creepy tale of a girl who must defend her family home from a babysitter with a monstrous secret! “The first time I read this book, I was so frightened I hid under the bed–and read it again.”–Lemony Snicket Gwen doesn’t want to admit that everything has been different since her mom died. There’s no time for all these feelings now that she has her younger brother and twin sisters to look after. Especially not after the move into their late grandmother’s creaky old house on a tiny, damp island where someone–or something–is waiting for them. Esme Laverne. Gwen isn’t fooled by the beautiful babysitter with the hungry eyes and too-sharp teeth, even though everyone else is. How does no one notice the sinister threats beneath her sickly sweet words? It quickly becomes clear that if Gwen wants Esme gone, she’ll have to handle it herself. In order to protect her family, Gwen will have to fight off terrifying creatures and literal nightmares come to life. But as rot begins to eat away at the house’s walls and Esme’s power grows, Gwen must face everything she’s been running from and embrace what she’s truly scared of before she can defeat the monster in her home . . . for good.

At a glance
Format
Hardcover
Pages
208
Reading age
8–12
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
650L
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
~4.2
F&P level
~P
Publication
Published
August 12, 2025
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780593693834

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