Lewis James is unhappy. Overweight and unpopular, his dad despises him, the girl he likes won't look at him - he has no friends, no life. Desperate to change, anxious to know all about his future, he tries a fortune-teller with a difference. A beguiling and seemingly caring toyshop owner, Mr Jardine. Jardine is eager to help and first offers Lewis practical advice - such as taking up exercise and getting fitter to improve Lewis's chances with Lisa. He also offers Lewis a Saturday job in his shop and Lewis soon starts to feel more confident. He enjoys working in the shop, watching Jardine at work crafting his life-like and ultra-sophisticated puppets. But Lisa still evades Lewis, and he needs more help. Again he turns to Jardine - making the biggest mistake of his life. Jardine suggests Lewis somehow get a lock of Lisa's hair - then Jardine will use his 'psychic gifts' to influence her. But what Lewis doesn't know is that Jardine has no intention of helping him - or Lisa. Jardine is a spirit thief - a Soul Taker. He wants human souls to bring his 'children' to life and now he has Lewis right where he wants him. Ater all, a deal's a deal. A life for a life, a soul for a soul . . .

 

There are 160 pages in this book. This book was published 2003 by Hachette Children's Group .

Celia Rees lives in Leamington Spa where she writes her novels. She has been shortlisted for both the Guardian and the Whitbread Children's fiction awards. Her novels have been translated into over 20 languages.