Zilpha Keatley Snyder a commencé à écrire pour les enfants en 1964, publiant au fil de sa carrière 43 livres principalement destinés aux lecteurs âgés de 9 à 13 ans. Ses récits se caractérisent par leur capacité à capturer l'imagination enfantine et à explorer des thèmes tels que l'amitié et la famille. Snyder a fait preuve d'une grande polyvalence dans les genres, allant de la fantaisie à la fiction réaliste, avec un style qui touche les jeunes lecteurs.
A group of children, entranced with the study of Egypt, play their own Egypt game, are visited by a secret oracle, become involved in a murder, and befriend the Professor before they move on to new interests, such as Gypsies.
Life is never quite the same again for eleven-year-old David after the arrival of his new stepsister, a student of the occult.
Jessica has read enough books to know that her cat Worm must be a witch’s cat. He’s cast a spell on her, but to whom can she turn? After all, no one will believe that Worm has bewitched her . . . or worse,
The story follows 12-year-old William S. Baggett, who feels suffocated by his difficult family life. Prompted by his sister, he decides to escape with his two youngest siblings. Their adventure quickly takes unexpected turns, leading to challenges that test their bond and resilience. As they navigate their journey, William discovers the complexities of family and the importance of facing problems rather than running away.
The story follows familiar characters as they embark on a new adventure involving Gypsies. April is eager and enthusiastic, while Melanie feels hesitant as new information surfaces. Toby, claiming to be a real Gypsy, adds excitement by offering props from his grandmother. However, the fun takes a serious turn when Toby goes missing, prompting the group to confront the challenges of real-life Gypsy experiences. Their quest to find Toby reveals deeper issues, highlighting the contrast between imagination and reality.