SOLVED. YA; Boy discovers a secret room and trapped children, discovers he can fly, maybe early 90's book. [s]

[Pamela]

I bought this book in a gas station (7-11 type) in either 1993 or 1994 while waiting to take a bus when I was in 8th grade. I'm assuming it was a young adult book. It was a paperback. It was a story about a boy who somehow discovers a secret room in a house. I think there may have been captive children in the room or the room led to a secret place where children had been taken to or kidnapped. I seem to remember the boy flying at some point, maybe even something to do with bat's wings, but I'm not sure. I think that was near the end of the book, maybe he developed or earned some power. I seem to remember the boy needing to escape, this may be true or my spotty memory after so many years.I think the cover of the book was either a house or the boy flying out of the house.
Sorry for the spotty information. I'd love any suggestions. =)

[Cheryl]

bump - because I want to read it... ;)

[Brittany]

Pamela wrote: "I bought this book in a gas station (7-11 type) in either 1993 or 1994 while waiting to take a bus when I was in 8th grade. I'm assuming it was a young adult book. It was a paperback. It was a stor..."

Were the captive children made out of wax, or turned into statues maybe?

[Michelle Mulford]

This reminds me of a short story in Odder Than Ever called "The Metamorphosis of Justin Jones." It's probably not your book, but it's a good story.

[Pamela]

Brittany wrote: "Pamela wrote: "I bought this book in a gas station (7-11 type) in either 1993 or 1994 while waiting to take a bus when I was in 8th grade. I'm assuming it was a young adult book. It was a paperback..."

It's possible that they were wax or statues. I don't remember. I believe the main character in the story set them free somehow, but it was so long ago I really can't be sure.

[Pamela]

Bueller? LOL

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Pamela, are you still looking for this?

[Pamela]

Yes. I'm starting to think it's a lost cause. ;)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Pamela--bump this up every 30 to 60 days. I'm hoping for this to be found so that I can add it to my small (over 3k) book collection. :o)

[Emily]

Sounds good, hope you find out what the title is!

[Amber]

I think I actually know this one!

Check out The Thief of Always by Clive Barker. Really great book, sounds very much like it. :-)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

The Thief of Always for Amber's click.

[Cheryl]

... and a bump, to try to get Pamela to check out Amber's suggestion... otherwise I guess it gets moved to Abandoned...

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Pamela, was your book "The Thief of Always" or are you still looking?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

No response from Pamela.

Can others confirm that there is a high likelihood this is "The Thief of Always"?

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I sent Pamela a PM about the book, waiting to see if she answers or not.

[Pamela]

Sorry, I guess I'm not getting notifications for this thread. I looked over the synopsis of this book and it's a strong possibility. It looks like it came out at about the right time as well. I'm going to try and get a copy and see if reading it rings any bells!
Thank you all for checking back in on this and for sending me that PM. I really appreciate the kindness. :)

[Kris]

Here is the Google Books preview of The Thief of Always by Clive Barker - Amber's suggestion - https://books.google.com/books?id=LlU...
There are different cover images.

[Pamela]

I wanted to say thank you all so much! The book was "The Thief of Always"! I finally obtained a used copy from Thriftbooks and am reading it now. I'm not finished with it yet, but from the story so far and the illustrations I am positive that this was the book.
Again, thank you for helping me!
It's a fantastic thing to be able to read this book again. I read it originally during a difficult period during junior high and it was a comfort then.