Jax Freeman and the Phantom Shriek - by Kwame Mbalia

About the Book

When twelve-year-old African American Jackson Freeman is forced to move from Raleigh, North Carolina to Chicago he finds himself suddenly in a world of talking glasses and clocks, magical inheritance, and daredevil train porters in a fight against a terrifying evil.

Book Synopsis

Now in paperback!

"I loved everything about this book."--Rick Riordan, New York Times #1 best-selling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series

12-year-old Jax Freeman discovers a secret world where a diverse group of students with unique talents wield magic by summoning the power of their ancestors

This unique magic-school fantasy series debut from the award-winning author of the Tristan Strong trilogy mixes Black history and thrilling adventure for young readers!

On his twelfth birthday, Jackson "Jax" Freeman arrives at Chicago's Union Station alone, carrying nothing but the baggage of a scandal back in Raleigh. He's been sent away from home to live with relatives he barely knows. But even worse are the strangers who accost him at the train station, including a food vendor who throws dust in his face and a conductor who tries to steal his skin.

At his new school, Jax is assigned to a special class for "summoners," even though he has no idea what those are . . . until he accidentally unleashes an angry spirit on school grounds. Soon Jax is embroiled in all kinds of trouble, from the disappearance of a new friend to full-out war between summoning families.

When Jax learns that he isn't the first Freeman to be blamed for a tragedy he didn't create, he resolves to clear his own name and that of his great-grandfather, who was a porter back in the 1920's. By following clues, Jax and his schoolmates unlock the secrets of a powerful Praise House, evade vengeful ghosts, and discover that Jax may just be the most talented summoner of all.

What do you get when you combine Kwame Mbalia's incredible imagination and world-building talent with trains, history, and ghosts? Nothing less than middle grade magic!

Review Quotes

"Jax Freeman is my new best friend. I loved everything about this book--the characters, the humor, the page-turning adventure. I'm glad Kwame Mbalia is such a prolific writer because I will be bugging him for the sequel immediately."--Rick Riordan, New York Times #1 best-selling author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians

"Funny, fast-paced, and full of heart and adventure. You'll be laughing and cheering and racing through the pages--and guessing right up to the end."--Shannon Messenger, New York Times best-selling author of the Keeper of Lost Cities series and Sky Fall series

*"With Jax's humor and wit shining even in the darkest moments, fans of Tristan Strong and magic-school stories will want this one on their shelves." -Booklist (starred review)

About the Author

Kwame Mbalia is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and the publisher of Freedom Fire, an imprint of Disney Hyperion devoted to stories about the Black diaspora by Black creators. His debut middle-grade novel, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, was awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, and it was followed by Tristan Strong Destroys the World and Tristan Strong Keeps Punching. Kwame lives with his wife and children outside Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is currently working on the next Jax Freeman adventure. For more information, go to www.KwameMbalia.com.