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The Creakers

Tom Fletcher

4.30 · Rating details · 1,926 ratings · 285 reviews

What silently waits in the shadows at night? What's under your bed, keeping just out of sight?

Do you ever hear strange, creaking noises at night? Ever wonder what makes those noises?
Lucy Dungston always did.
Until, one morning, Lucy discovers that all the grown-ups have disappeared - as if into thin air. Chaos descends as the children in Lucy's town run riot. It's mayhem. ...more

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Kindle Edition, 368 pages

Published October 5th 2017 by Puffin

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Average rating 4.30 ·

Rating details

· 1,926 ratings · 285 reviews

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Oct 14, 2017 Sandra (LadyGrey Reads) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio-books, 2017-reads

Now it's not very nice to use little girls as live bait to catch monsters, but, if you do ever have to, then it's always best to use an annoying little sprog like Ella, just in case they do actually end up getting snatched.

One morning, Lucy wakes up to find that all the grown-ups in the world have gone missing.
Terrific! is what all the other kids in town seem to think.
But Lucy wonders why. And how. And when. Soon, she discovers that there are creatures appearing in her room at night - and wo ...more

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Nov 19, 2018 Kerri rated it it was amazing

4.5

Incredibly fun, well written, funny, with brilliant characters and absolutely wonderful illustrations.

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Aug 09, 2020 Floor Flawless rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own-read, read-2020

Wonderful book for the age of 8+
It's quite a chunker, but the font is big and it has a lot of illustrations, so don't be intimidated by the size!

The most fun part of it is that the author also interacts with the main character Lucy. He acts as the narrator of the story. Hilarious sometimes! ...more

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Dec 11, 2019 Stanislav Lozanov rated it liked it · review of another edition

I wish that book was translated into Bulgarian. A lot of kids would enjoy it.

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Feb 01, 2020 Daniel Williamson rated it really liked it

Truly Incredible
In my house there are two copies of this story which shows it’s good. When it first came out I could not put the book down 👍 from me!!!
Well done Tom!!!

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Mar 23, 2018 Mehsi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 5-twinkling-stars, octarine, the-butler-did-it, away-laughing-on-a-fast-camel, warning-english-books, children-s-books

"What silently waits in the shadows at night? What's under your bed, keeping just out of sight?"

Squee, this was just such a fun, exciting, delightful book!

The story starts off with a bang, our MC wakes up to find that her mom has disappeared! But she quickly finds out that it is not just her mom, it is all the adults in town! The kids are at first quite afraid and want their moms/dads/family members, but then they find a note (so obvious, but hey they are kids) and they get to celebrating their ...more

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Nov 01, 2017 Charlotte (The Writers' Crown) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Wonderful writing again from Tom Fletcher. I loved this story. Creepy, funny, and magical. The main character is very inspiring. From standing up for what she believes in to making friends with lonely children. She's certainly a character I would want my future children to read about! I really loved that the book had an underlying message of the importance and usefulness of recycling and being sustainable with our waste. It really is an all-round excellent book for young readers (and the Creaker ...more

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Feb 01, 2018 Mikayla rated it it was amazing

Loved it as always Tom Fletcher writes amazing children's books. ...more

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Sep 10, 2018 Meredith Mara rated it really liked it

4.5/5 stars :) Such a cute, magical and creepy middle-grade adventure read.

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Jan 12, 2020 Gethin rated it it was amazing

We started it at the beginning of the summer holidays and didn't read it much and then read the Christmasaurs also by Tom Fletcher. I really enjoyed this book and is lots of fun to read! I highly recommend this book to everyone! Best Book of the year so far! #1 🤣🏆🥇 ...more

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Aug 28, 2019 Trish rated it really liked it

3.75 stars

This was an adorable story about Monsters under bed and discovering what happens while you sleep.

We begin and the story was up and running. We are introduced to Lucy and learn about her family circumstances. Just her and her Mom since her Dad left. Lucy wakes up one morning and her Mom is gone; and not just her Mom but all the adults.

Lucy becomes the leader and tries to discover why the parents left while helping all the children. Enter The Creakers.....

This was an endearing story abo ...more

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Nov 05, 2019 Izzy Dorrance rated it really liked it

Shelves: list-of-betterments-2019-2020, friendship, courage, sbc-3-summer-texts, adventure, ks2

Edit: SBC 3 (An Adventure Story) The children end up going on an adventure under their beds. The book follows the structure of an adventure story and contains the key features. I would use it in the classroom as an example of an adventure story.

I really enjoyed reading this book because it has a great overall message in the story. ‘Its okay to be different’ This really comes across in the book and I like the added touch at the end (The author, Tom Fletcher, wrote a song to go with the book call ...more

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Oct 21, 2017 Kristina rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

One of the best books I've read so far this year!

The plot gave me such Home Alone vibes that I literally fell in love with it from page one and couldn't put it down.

I loved that we had a strong heroine who was brave, smart and kind!

Oh guys, the illustrations! Adore them!!! ...more

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Oct 05, 2018 Miss L rated it really liked it

I wasn't keen on the writing style, I didn't feel that it flowed! However, i think the children in my class will love this book so I've rated it 4 stars and I'm looking forward to reading it to them. ...more

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Oct 05, 2017 Rebecca Farren rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: children-s, fiction

This review is available on my blog here: https://rebeccafarren.com/2017/10/16/...

The one word that Tom Fletcher has used repeatedly to describe his second novel in the lead up to its release is 'disgusting', and I have to say I completely agree with him (in a good way!)

How would you feel if you woke up one day to find all of the grown-ups had disappeared? Excited? Worried? Mischevious? Well, that's exactly what Lucy Dungston and the children of Whiffington face one morning when they find all of This review is available on my blog here: https://rebeccafarren.com/2017/10/16/...

The one word that Tom Fletcher has used repeatedly to describe his second novel in the lead up to its release is 'disgusting', and I have to say I completely agree with him (in a good way!)

How would you feel if you woke up one day to find all of the grown-ups had disappeared? Excited? Worried? Mischevious? Well, that's exactly what Lucy Dungston and the children of Whiffington face one morning when they find all of their parents and teachers are nowhere to be seen. Most of the kids have no clue what to do, so it is up to Lucy to take charge and not only stop anyone from burning their houses down but to figure out how to get the adults back. A mysterious note on the school gates says that they are gone forever, but Lucy is convinced that this isn't true, and her suspicions are confirmed when she discovers monsters under her bed! The Creakers! Lucy and her friends must come up with a cunning plan to rescue the grown-ups, but if the stinky Creakers have anything to do with it, it's not going to be easy!

The Creakers is an exciting new take on the classic monsters under the bed story, with clear influences from the likes of The Gremlins and The Borrowers. It is properly scary from the off. I could really feel Lucy's fear of being without her mum and was genuinely worried for the kids' fate! From beginning to end it is a fast-paced page-turner; I was always on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next.

It is a true fantasy adventure. Tom's creativity shines through once more and his world-building is fantastic. The vivid descriptions that work so well in The Christmasaurus triumph again, although this time reading about all of the foul stenches and dirty rubbish-loving tendencies of the Creakers in all of their putrid glory made me feel a bit queasy! It is ever so slightly too disgusting for me (I think I'll stick to the North Pole!) but kids will absolutely love delving into the Creakers' lair, squirming and shrieking with laughter!

In my review of The Christmasaurus, I asked Tom to give us more girl heroes, and my goodness did he deliver! Lucy is sensible and responsible and brave and clever and daring and kind! She is a true leader and I couldn't ask for more in the main character. I loved her friends too. Norman is eccentric, skilful and sweet and I was pleased to see a girl of colour in Ella, the sassiest six-year-old you will ever meet! Although, I would have liked her to play more of a key role than just the annoying younger one that always tags along. I was thrilled by the cameo from William and Brenda, but I wanted to hear more from them and maybe even Bob and Pamela too.

Tom addresses the reader directly a lot in The Creakers, and while this is effective for most of the time, occasionally it does go overboard and gets, dare I say it, a bit waffly?! The way that he looks forward to what is coming in later chapters is a bit obvious and unnecessary. I wanted to shout 'STOP TELLING ME WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, YOU WALLY!' However, overall the writing style is very good and kept me engaged throughout.

Once again, Tom manages to convey important messages in The Creakers. Celebrating difference is a key theme carried through from The Christmasaurus. The values of looking after the environment and living and working in harmony with those who aren't like us are emphasised, challenging readers to think about the world around them brilliantly.

The Christmasaurus will always have my heart, but The Creakers is a strong follow-up novel with an incredible heroine falling into and a scary, fun and heartwarming adventure, guaranteed to make kids look forward to bedtime.

8/10

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Nov 10, 2017 Kathi rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Creakers by Tom Fletcher is about Whiffington Town, where one morning all the grown-ups had disappeared. First, all children were thrilled by it and enjoyed their time without rules and listening to their parents. But Lucy soon realizes that something must have happened to their parents and begins to search for them. With the help of Norman and Ella she discovers The Woleb, where the Creakers live.

I was really excited to start reading this book, but kind of scarred that I would not like it. The Creakers by Tom Fletcher is about Whiffington Town, where one morning all the grown-ups had disappeared. First, all children were thrilled by it and enjoyed their time without rules and listening to their parents. But Lucy soon realizes that something must have happened to their parents and begins to search for them. With the help of Norman and Ella she discovers The Woleb, where the Creakers live.

I was really excited to start reading this book, but kind of scarred that I would not like it. I'm not a big fan of creepy stories, even if they are for children. But I enjoyed The Christmasaurus by the same author a lot, so I couldn't wait to read this book too. When I started reading it, I did not really know what exactly this book was about. I only knew that there were monsters under children's beds, but as soon as I started the book I knew that I would love it! When I realized the protagonist of the book was a girl I was very excited. Lucy is a wonderful young girl, who is not quite the "typical" girl we know from other books. She does not really like dresses and likes her hair short and she is not disgusted by disgusting things. She fights for what she thinks is right and never gives up on her dreams. During the book she becomes friends with Norman, who everyone thought was funny and different, because Lucy realized that he does not differ from anyone.

When we first met the Creakers, I knew that I liked them. I mean kind of. They are a bit scary and don't look nice and are a bit mean. But they have reasons. Their home is in my opinion a very good creation! It reminded me a bit of the Room of Requirement from Harry Potter.

What I loved the most about this book, beside the story, was the hidden message about rubbish and litter in our world. Lucy often told the children and the grown-ups that the Creakers complained about people throwing rubbish into the ocean and everywhere else (they also complained about other things, and therefore the message was very hidden, but it was there). This memo could have been more obvious in my opinion. Another thing I absolutely love about this book are the short intervals between all the chapters. They made me smile a lot, and I think children will enjoy them a lot.

All in all, this book was really good. I enjoyed it a lot and the illustrations in the book by Shane Devries are just awesome, and the cover is too. Well done. ...more

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Oct 13, 2019 Joey Woolfardis rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ahreet, bairns, humour, sterling, 2019, ce21, bookshelf, masculine

A nicely written adventure following Lucy as she wakes up to discover all of the grown ups gone and things creaking about under her bed.

Adventurous and humorous, though I found the humour a little forced or unnecessary at times, which put me off whilst I was reading. It felt a little try hard, and I was reminded of the likes of Roald Dahl, but the inherent genius just wasn't there.

I also wasn't particularly convinced that Lucy and her friends were six years old, but I enjoyed the whole package t ...more

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Apr 28, 2018 Anna rated it liked it · review of another edition

I massively enjoyed Fletcher's first novel 'The Christmasaurus' with it's quirks and humour and magic. However The Creakers left me feeling a little more meh. Of course I'm not actually it's target audience but I do love me a good 9-12 fiction (Harry Potter anyone?!)

The narrator chapters just felt a bit too silly and jarring to me, and while Fletcher obviously draws inspiration from Dahl, he doesn't quite reach that man's genius (though really, who can?). The Creakers is funny and clever and wh ...more

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Apr 23, 2020 Kelly rated it really liked it

This book was brilliant!! I loved the storyline, loved the characters - Lucy is fantastic! - and loved the world that was created. I happen to think that the Creakers are super cute too but that might just be me!! I thought the upside-down world was really clever, if a bit gross and I think that Tom Fletcher does a great job of adding in a moral to his stories, this one teaching kids that they do need adults, that one man's rubbish is another man's treasure and to be kind and listen to each othe ...more

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Jul 19, 2020 Amy rated it it was amazing

This was utterly brilliant; i've had this for a while and have honestly been holding off because it was the first of Tom's books that I have read and I wasn't sure what he was going to be like as an author but I shouldn't have had any doubts!!

This was such a heart-warming and enjoyable story full of friendship, love, and adventure. The illustrations were magnificent and just really added to the story. I loved Lucy, Norman, and Ella and thought they were all delightful and distinguished from one ...more

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Dec 16, 2017 Reine4 Nguyen rated it it was amazing

This book is so mysterious and exiting that once you pick it up you just can't put it down. Lucy is so brave and courageous that I think after reading this book I want to be more like her. Now the Creakers. Grunt, Gruff, Scratch and Sniff. Although they may be stinky and smelly they certainly are not just bad. I think it's good they eat the rubbish because rubbish goes to landfill and that is pollution. The Creakers is not only a good book it teaches good lessons and has great people to look up ...more

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Sep 16, 2018 Elspeth Hall rated it it was amazing

If you have a child scared of monsters under the bed then this is the book to read them. (Though probably not just before bed.)

Addressing the question as to whether the monsters under the bed are really wicked and out to get you or just mysterious, misunderstood and perhaps just as afraid of us. The book also champions unlikely heroes in the form of a tom boy from a broken family and a scout who's "weird" hobby (scouting) means he is a target for bullies. ...more

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Sep 08, 2018 Fiona Sing rated it it was amazing

My boys (aged 5 & 7) rated this book 5 stars .. they loved that Lucy was brave but most of all they loved the creakers and the way that they speak (especially when I got into character with the voices) .. this is a great family book full of adventure and I’ve loved the quality time it’s given us while reading this magical book !

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Oct 23, 2017 Sammy Buttery rated it it was amazing

Best book I have read this year! Defiantly recommend reading this book you won’t be able to put it down

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Oct 29, 2017 Tabea Vanessa rated it it was amazing

I loved this so much! It was so precious and exactly what I needed right now. And the illustrations <3 nothing more to say here.

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Jan 20, 2018 Daisy May rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: To my cousin, and anyone who likes an adventure

Recommended to Daisy by: My dad

The Creakers is an amazing book from a funny author. It is about adults from a town are snatched by weird creatures that love rubbish and hate sun light, called the creakers. A young girl called Lucy trys to find the adults. To think, it is based under children's bed. Page turner. ...more

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Apr 13, 2018 Laura rated it it was amazing

A great book for kidderlings (and adults!) I enjoyed the story and how it tied in with 'The Christmasaurus'. I loved the wonderful imagination of Tom Fletcher, especially the description of Creakerland. The illustrations added to the enjoyment and I loved the ending. ...more

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Sep 15, 2018 Cheryl marked it as someday-elsewhere

Elspeth's daughter and her friends like this. It reminds me a bit of The Girl Who Owned a City but maybe more fun & better for kids raised more by movies than books. ...more

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