Grave Matter by Juno Dawson

A dark YA tale of love, loss and the supernatural from Queen of Teen Juno Dawson, collaborating for the first time with prize-winning illustrator Alex T. Smith.

Since the crash, since Eliza died, Samuel can't find a way to go on. His need to see his love again is overwhelming, and so he ventures into the strange, terrifying world of Hoodoo. Samuel is about to make a pact with powers he cannot comprehend, let alone control...A chilling tale of love that reaches beyond the grave.

Juno Dawson is the multi award-winning author of YA novels. She also wrote the bestselling non-fiction guides to life for young people, This Book Is Gay and Mind Your Head, and the 2016 World Book Day title, Spot the Difference.
||
Alex T. Smith is much-loved for his prize-winning picture books, his artwork for authors from Dodie Smith to David Almond, and as the creator of the indomitable Claude, soon to be a Disney animated series. Grave Matter marks Alex's first foray into illustration for older readers - and he says he has really enjoyed this adventure to the dark side.

"There aren't enough illustrations used in YA fiction, and Alex T Smith's

terrifying, gothic pictures complement this dark tale beautifully" - The Times

"A deliciously succinct, creepy thriller interspersed with Alex T. Smith's

shadowy, atmospheric images" - The Guardian

"Dawson deals very deftly with powerful issues of life, religion and death. The emotions felt by Sam and his circle are highly nuanced, despite the brevity of the book" - Books for Keeps

"This beautifully presented novella is creepy, disturbing and genuinely chilling ... a substantial and complex addition to any super-readable bookshelf" - BookTrust

"A cracking Halloween read ... pulls no punches and delivers some ghastly shocks ... a real page turner" - The Letterpress Project