Zilpha Keatley Snyder ha iniziato a scrivere libri per bambini nel 1964, accumulando una produzione di 43 opere destinate in gran parte a lettori tra i 9 e i 13 anni. Le sue storie sono note per la capacità di catturare l'immaginazione dei giovani lettori, esplorando temi universali come l'amicizia e la famiglia. Snyder ha dimostrato una notevole versatilità nei generi, spaziando dalla fantasia alla narrativa realistica, sempre con uno stile coinvolgente.
A group of children, entranced with the study of Egypt, play their own Egypt game, are visited by a secret oracle, become involved in a murder, and befriend the Professor before they move on to new interests, such as Gypsies.
Life is never quite the same again for eleven-year-old David after the arrival of his new stepsister, a student of the occult.
Jessica has read enough books to know that her cat Worm must be a witch’s cat. He’s cast a spell on her, but to whom can she turn? After all, no one will believe that Worm has bewitched her . . . or worse,
The story follows 12-year-old William S. Baggett, who feels suffocated by his difficult family life. Prompted by his sister, he decides to escape with his two youngest siblings. Their adventure quickly takes unexpected turns, leading to challenges that test their bond and resilience. As they navigate their journey, William discovers the complexities of family and the importance of facing problems rather than running away.
The story follows familiar characters as they embark on a new adventure involving Gypsies. April is eager and enthusiastic, while Melanie feels hesitant as new information surfaces. Toby, claiming to be a real Gypsy, adds excitement by offering props from his grandmother. However, the fun takes a serious turn when Toby goes missing, prompting the group to confront the challenges of real-life Gypsy experiences. Their quest to find Toby reveals deeper issues, highlighting the contrast between imagination and reality.