The House with a Dragon in It - by Nick Lake

About the Book

When a mysterious hole opens up in her new foster family's living room, Summer encounters a dragon who offers her three wishes, but as she uses the wishes, the magic takes a dark turn and jeopardizes Summer's deepest desire for a home.

Book Synopsis

From the creators of Lily and the Night Creatures comes another "emotionally resonant and empathetic" (Kirkus Reviews) illustrated middle grade novel filled with magic and granted wishes--perfect for fans of The Beast and the Bethany and Kelly Barnhill.

Summer has moved around a lot and knows better than to trust her current foster family. She knows she can only count on herself, which makes adjusting to a new school in a new town very lonely. One day, while Summer and her foster family are having lunch, a hole appears in the middle of the living room.

The hole leads down to a dragon, who promises Summer three wishes, to be granted by a witch. Finally, things are looking up as Summer can have the security and company she's always wanted--guaranteed by magic with no complicated feelings involved.

But every granted wish makes the hole in the floor grow bigger and the witch more sinister. With the magic taking a dark turn, can Summer risk asking for her dearest wish?

About the Author

Nick Lake is a children's book editor at Harper UK. He received his degree in English from Oxford University. His Blood Ninja trilogy was inspired by his interest in the Far East, and by the fact that he is secretly a vampire ninja himself. Nick lives with his wife and daughter in England. Visit him on X @NickLakeAuthor.

Emily Gravett is the author and illustrator of many children's books, including Matilda's Cat, Again!, Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears (winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal), Meerkat Mail, Tidy, and Old Hat. Her first book, Wolves, was the winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award for Illustration. Her second book, Orange Pear Apple Bear, was a Quills Award finalist, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, and on the shortlist for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Emily lives in Brighton, England, with her partner, their daughter, and the family dog. Visit her at EmilyGravett.com.