Surrender the Key (The Library Book 1)

Book excerpt: Previously published as Curse of the Boggin. A fast-paced, thrilling series opener from bestselling author D. J. MacHale. Check out a book—and unlock an adventure! There's a place filled with tales that don't have an ending. Puzzles that won't be solved until someone steps in to finish them. Enter the Library. Marcus and his friends have found the key to open it. And they need to use it, because, clearly, something is up. A strange guy in a bathrobe haunts them; fires rage and flare out in an instant; a peculiar old lady keeps telling them, “Surrender the key. . . .” At first Marcus thinks he’s going nuts, until the mystery gets personal. The Library may hold some answers, but the clock is running out. Because on these library shelves, the stories you don’t finish might just finish you. . . . Kids love Surrender the Key (The Library, Book 1): “A mysterious, hard-to-put-down book with a twisting plot, funny characters, and haunting souls. I can’t wait to hear what adventures they have next.” —A.J. H., age 11 “I read enough in just one day to fill my school reading log for a week.” —Michael C., age 10 “A unique, intriguing book filled with page-turning adventures.” —Madeline H., age 12 “Couldn’t put it down. I stayed up reading until 11:00 p.m. with only one thought in my mind: one more chapter!” —Ben H., age 11