Join the Secret Summer gang on an unforgettable magical adventure, full of humour and heart - for fans of The Famous Five and Roald Dahl.

Jack has been dreading the summer holidays - his dad works long hours, and so all he has to look forward to is an empty house. But when his boisterous neighbours, Bruno and Rocco, make it their mission to pull him into an adventure, his life will never be the same again.

Together they decide to explore the strange old house at the top of the hill, long abandoned and overgrown with ivy. But they soon discover the ivy hides more than just walls... the house is full of magical secrets, including a strange girl with no memory, who may hold the key to it all, if only she can remember...

Imaginative and fun-filled, Jack Ryder's first story is inspired by the summer holidays of his childhood and brought to life with glorious black-and-white illustrations by Alice McKinley. Young readers will be spellbound by this heartfelt adventure.

About the Author
Jack Ryder was cast in the role of Jamie Mitchell in EastEnders at the age of 16, a character he played for five years. He then moved into theatre, performing in plays by Alan Bennett, Tim Firth and David Hare, before going on to direct Calendar Girls, The Full Monty and the West End production of The Band Musical. He played Evan Crowhurst in Holby City in 2019, and in January 2020 he is directing a production of Alan Bennet's The History Boys. It is his lifelong ambition to be a children's book author. Alice McKinley has worked in publishing for most of her career, working with brilliant companies such as Andersen Press, Little Tiger Press and Nobrow. She decided to chase her dreams and become an Author/Illustrator and completed the Children's Picture Book Illustration MA at the Cambridge School of Arts in 2018. Her first author-illustrated book Nine Lives Newton published with Simon & Schuster UK this year and she is currently enjoying working on fiction and picture books in sunny Brighton. Here she lives with her boyfriend, myriads of books, and oh so many (many) plants! Other clients include Hachette Children's Books, Barrington Stoke and Affirm Press.

Reviews
an exciting tale that grounds its gentle fantasy in the emotional life of its young hero * The Irish Times *
Not all questions are answered in this first very readable book by Jack Ryder, but the nines-plus will be pleased to know there will be a sequel next year. * Newbury Weekly News *



Book Information
ISBN 9781444952971
Author Jack Ryder
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Hodder Children's Books
Publisher Hachette Children's Group
Weight(grams) 205g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 24mm