Author(s): Karen Foxlee

Senior Fiction | Fantasy & Magic | Detective

There are those who hunt monsters to harm them and there are those who hunt monsters to help them. Which one are you? Dressed in sparkly red shoes and carrying her strawberry-scented notebook, Mary-Kate is accompanying her archaeologist mother to the tranquil English countryside to investigate some interesting bones found in an old well. But once they arrive, they realise that the village of Woolington is not as peaceful as it seems. Mysterious noises, earth tremors and a terrifying legend have the locals frightened. Could there be any truth in the myth of the beast who lives in the ancient well? And if so, why would it return? Mary-Kate might be anxious, but she is not afraid to get to the bottom of this monstrous mystery.

Description: There are those that hunt monsters to harm them and there are those that hunt monsters to help them. Which one are you?

Dressed in sparkly red shoes and carrying her strawberry-scented notebook, Mary-Kate is accompanying her archaeologist mother to the tranquil English countryside to investigate some interesting bones found in an old well. But once they arrive, they realise that the village of Woolington is not as peaceful as it seems. Mysterious noises, earth tremors and a terrifying legend have the locals frightened.

Could there be any truth in the myth of the beast who lives in the ancient well? And if so, why would it return? Mary-Kate might be anxious, but she is not afraid to get to the bottom of this monstrous mystery.

A delightful fantasy-adventure from the award-winning and bestselling author of Lenny's Book of Everything and Dragon Skin, with lively line illustrations by Freda Chiu.

'A deliciously thrilling mystery, full of heart, wisdom, wit and ingenuity.' Edwina Wyatt, award-winning author of The Secrets of Magnolia Moon

'Easily one of the most charming books for young readers I have come across ... A perfect balance of fun, fantasy, humour and innocence.' Katrina Nannestad, author of the Travelling Bookshop series

Review: 'An intriguing, suspenseful, action-packed and deliciously thrilling mystery, full of Karen Foxlee's trademark heart, wisdom, wit and ingenuity. A gently reassuring and inspiring story about the value of courage, knowledge and kindness. It reminds us that we all have the capacity for bravery, despite our worm holes, worries and monster-shaped fears. Ultimately, we see that truth is at the heart of every monster hunter's search. And that sometimes all we need to do is start - by putting one red sparkly footstep in front of another. Perfect for young fans of The Ghouls of Howlfair by Nick Tomlinson and Jonathan Auxier's The Fabled Stables.' Edwina Wyatt, award-winning author of The Secrets of Magnolia Moon

'The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm is easily one of the most charming books for young readers I have come across. It has a perfect balance of fun, fantasy, humour and innocence. I think it takes real talent to create something that is exciting/dramatic with a fantasy element without getting too dark. I'm big on keeping things innocent for our kids, while giving them plenty to challenge their imagination and literacy skills. This really hits the sweet spot! Not surprising, really, because Karen Foxlee is a genius.' Katrina Nannestad, author of the Travelling Bookshop series

Author Biography: Karen Foxlee is an Australian author who writes for both kids and young adults. She grew up in the Australia outback mining town Mount Isa and still frequently dreams she is walking barefoot along the dry Leichhardt River. Karen's first novel The Anatomy of Wings won numerous awards including the Dobbie Award and the Commonwealth Writers' Prize for Best First Book. Ophelia and the Marvellous Boy, Karen's first novel for children, was published internationally to much acclaim while her second novel for younger readers, A Most Magical Girl, won the Readings Children's Fiction Prize in 2017 and was CBCA short-listed the same year. Her next book was the internationally successful Lenny's Book of Everything, which has won multiple awards including the NSW Premier's Literary Award, the Indies Book Award, the Queensland Literary Award, was a CBCA Honour Book and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest middle-grade novel, Dragon Skin, was short-listed for the CBCA Awards, the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, the Aurealis Awards and the Indie Book Awards. Karen lives in South East Queensland with her daughter and several animals, including two wicked parrots, who frequently eat parts of her laptop when she isn't looking. Her passions are her daughter, writing, daydreaming, baking, running and swimming in the sea.

Freda Chiu is an author and illustrator from Sydney, Australia. As well as illustrating children's books, her work spans comics, editorial and retail graphics. Outside her art practice, Freda lectures in Illustration at the University of Technology Sydney. Her debut picture book, A Trip to the Hospital, was short-listed for the IBBY Australia Ena Noel Award.