This is the second in a terrific adventure series from the pen of John Barrowman (of Torchwood fame) and his sister Carole. Bone Quill continues the story begun in Hollow Earth about twins Matt and Em Calder. They are Animare - which means they can bring their drawings to life - and they will need all their powers to stop mysterious forces bent on releasing an army of beasts from Hollow Earth.
As with Hollow Earth, the story includes both real and fictional paintings by famous artists represented in UK galleries, to encourage a passion for art, and well researched historical details to bring the Middle Ages to life.
12-year-old twins Matt and Emily Calder are Animare: they can bring art to life and enter paintings at will. They must do everything in their power to prevent a breach in Hollow Earth: a supernatural place that holds all the demons, devils and creatures ever imagined. The Hollow Earth Society are getting closer to finding the key that will release the beasts: an ancient bone quill whose powers can be only be used by a powerful Animare. The quill has been lost for centuries, but important clues to its whereabouts lie somewhere on the island of Era Mina - as does the entrance to Hollow Earth itself. Matt and Em must find the quill and protect it through their drawings, through certain famous paintings and, ultimately, deep into the mists of time itself. But their lives in the relative safety of Auchinmurn Abbey are thrown into confusion with the arrival of a newcomer who threatens to ruin everything they have worked for. All too soon, Matt makes a fateful decision which forces him to make a terrible choice - save his family, or save the world?
There's also a great interactive website where you can meet the characters, download your own mythical beasts and find out more about the paintings -www.hollow-earth.co.uk
"fascinating premise... The potential is huge" – Parents in Touch
"sure to capture children's imaginations" – Ulster Star
Author
About John Barrowman, Carole E. Barrowman
John Barrowman is an actor, a recording artist, a presenter and Carole’s wee brother. He’s best known for playing Captain Jack in the television series Doctor Who and Torchwood and the Dark Archer in Arrow.
Carole E. Barrowman is an English professor and the Director of Creative Studies in Writing at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and she’s John’s big sister. Carole and John love art of all kinds and wish they could draw as well as Matt and Em. They have collaborated on six books together.
The Book of Beasts is the third in their Hollow Earth trilogy.
Click here to download a Q&A with John and Carole.
