The Thing In The Basement

by Michaela Morgan

The Thing in the Basement is an atmospheric mystery story with a school setting. When the boy arrives at his new school everything is strange and different. The big, Victorian building has many storeys and a basement...As he passes the basement he notices a smell of heat and soot and burning. He looks down there and suddenly there's bang and a flash, a roaring sound. He knows there's something down there. Something nasty...something monstrous. And as the day goes on, all the evidence leads to suggest that the 'something' is a dragon...

48 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2006

Reviews

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great, well illustrated, story that children of the target age range (Y3 - 7 to 8 years old) will find easy to relate to. The star is Scott, who is starting attending a new school. It is his first day and he wants to go in on his own so the other children won't make fun of him. That's when his adventures start! Get ready for mysterious noises, a strange character - Stovie - and new classmates. A brilliant story for children.

[Sylvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boy in a new school meets scary basement furnace.

[John Bolton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this to my students, and found it to be a quick-paced, engaging read, with plenty of scope to discuss characterisation and to explore alternative endings. Definitely recommended for the age group.

[Fiona Balchin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable read which hooked my class in and which kept them engaged to the end. The mystery element was created by good use of suspense.