The Shrunken Head
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2015 · Est. 7 hour read

The Shrunken Head

By Lauren Oliver, H. C. Chester, Benjamin Lacombe (Illustrator)

Part of the Curiosity House series

A stolen shrunken head leads four gifted orphans into a web of murder and secrets.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 2,767 ratings
384 pages· 64,750 words· Est. 7 hour read
$6.99Save 4%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In Dumfrey’s Dime Museum, orphans Philippa, Sam, Thomas, and newcomer Max, a knife-thrower, face a thrilling mystery. When a prized shrunken head vanishes, their quest to retrieve it uncovers a trail of murders and a shocking secret about their origins. As they navigate a world of oddities, including a talking cockatoo and a bearded lady, the stakes rise. Can these extraordinary children solve the mystery before it's too late? Dive into a tale where every twist reveals more than they bargained for.

From the publisher

Edgar Award nominee for Best Juvenile MysteryThe book is about, among other things: the strongest boy in the world, a talking cockatoo, a faulty mind reader, a beautiful bearded lady and a nervous magician, an old museum, and a shrunken head.Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey’s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events.When the museum’s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts.This sensational new series–a 2016 Edgar nominee for Best Juvenile book and New York Times bestseller–combines the unparalleled storytelling gifts of Lauren Oliver with the rich knowledge of the notorious relics collector H. C. Chester.What you will find in this book: A rather attractive bearded ladySeveral scandalous murdersA deliciously disgusting Amazonian shrunken headFour extraordinary children with equally extraordinary abilitiesA quite loquacious talking birdWhat you will NOT find in this book: An accountant named Seymour A never-ending line at the post office Brussel sprouts (shudder) A lecture on finishing all your homework on time A sweet, gooey story for nice little girls and boysLearn more about the series online at www.thecuriosityhouse.com

At a glance
Format
Paperback
Pages
384
Words
64,750
Reading age
9–12
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
760L
Themes & topics
Books about friendshipBooks about deathBooks about museumsBooks about familyBooks about curiosity
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The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
5.2
F&P level
~R
AR points
10
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
177435
Publication
Published
May 3, 2016
First published
September 29, 2015
Publisher
HarperCollins
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9780062270825

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