- Horror
- Chapter Books
- Ages 9–12
The shape of it
The shape of this universe.
Crater Lake is Jennifer Killick's funny-scary sci-fi horror duology, a school-trip-from-hell nightmare that readers race through and then dare each other to read at night. It follows Lance and his mismatched gang of Year Six friends as an alien body-snatcher threat takes over classmates and teachers who fall asleep — first at a remote activity centre, then, in the sequel, back home wearing his own mum's face. Killick blends genuine creepiness with wisecracking humour and real heart, keeping the dread relentless while never losing the friendship and teamwork at the story's core. Fast-paced, short-chaptered and hugely reluctant-reader friendly, it's a gateway horror series for readers aged nine and up who want to be scared but kept laughing.
Jennifer Killick's funny-scary alien-horror duology — a school-trip nightmare with a golden rule: don't fall asleep. Creepy, hilarious and brilliant for reluctant readers.
The series
One way in.
Cultural footprint
A shelf of evidence.
Cultural ubiquity
2/ 5A working classic for readers in the know.
Sensitivity
Moderate, and collection-wide.
Content notes
- Scary imagery
- Violence
Across the collection
All 2 books.
About the creator