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WORK TITLE: What’s in the Walls?
WORK NOTES:
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BIRTHDATE:
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CITY: Mirabel
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COUNTRY: Canada
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RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Female.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Independent journalist, marketing, writer; Curium magazine, editor in chief.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Booklist, January 2025, Jen Johnson, review of What’s in the Walls, p. 86.
Kirkus Reviews, February 15, 2025, review of What’s in the Walls.
In 2010, Julie Champagne left her career in marketing to become a full-time writer. She was an independent journalist for several years, writing articles on a variety of topics. She is now the editor in chief of the teen magazine Curium and has written a number of children's books. She lives in Mirabel, Quebec.
Champagne, Julie WHAT'S IN THE WALLS? Orca (Children's None) $12.95 2, 11 ISBN: 9781459839861
In this French import, a young boy uncovers a terrifying infestation in his school.
Alone in the gym, 10-year-old Zack hears a curious scratching sound as he's putting away the floor hockey equipment. Zack's used to odd noises--St. Joseph's is more than a century old, after all--but this one is different. His best friend, Henry, agrees that the sound is definitely not normal, but gym teacher Mrs. Clark and school custodian Mr. Lucas don't seem concerned. Henry's older sister, Justine, suggests that the boys have encountered Marcel, the school ghost. A mysterious incident with a bin of trash the next morning spurs Zack to further action, and he ropes Henry into participating in what he thinks will be a quick ghost hunt to confirm his supernatural theories. Unfortunately, he discovers a much more earthly problem--and, as it turns out, Mr. Lucas knows more than he's letting on. As other evidence comes to light, Zack and company try to find a way to prove to the adults that something dangerous is afoot before it's too late. The slightly silly and dramatic tone pairs well with the abundant and action-packed art for a squirm-inducing, very quick story that will delight readers. Physical descriptions are minimal, but characters vary in skin tone in Bigué's illustrations.
By turns creepy and humorous; horror fans will devour this one.(Horror. 8-12)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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Source Citation
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"Champagne, Julie: WHAT'S IN THE WALLS?" Kirkus Reviews, 15 Feb. 2025. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A827101099/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=b0396e67. Accessed 27 July 2025.
What's in the Walls?
By Julie Champagne. Illus. by Genevieve
Bigue. Tr. by David Warriner.
Feb. 2025. 96p. Orca, paper, $12.95 (9781459839861).
Gr. 3-6.
Zack and his friends, Henry, Raf, and Justine, are stuck battling an unknown entity and, despite how hard they try, the adults aren't listening. It all started when Zack was in the school gym and he could hear noises coming from the wall. After investigating and talking to the school janitor and teachers, he is told the school is safe, despite being over 100 years old, and is definitely not haunted or infested. Situations escalate as Zack and his friends try to uncover the unknown horror, even adventuring into the off-limits basement, which contains just-scary-enough disgusting creatures. This Goosebumps-like horror story presents the importance of friendships, asking questions, and being curious while also showing the consequences of recklessly ignoring the rules. Bigue's illustrations perfectly complement the eerie mood and carry over into the reading experience--for instance, when the main characters are trapped in the dark, the pages are black with white text. Middle-grade readers who have read through every Goosebumps they can get their hands on will appreciate this.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2025 American Library Association
http://www.ala.org/aboutala/offices/publishing/booklist/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
Johnson, Jen. "What's in the Walls?" Booklist, vol. 121, no. 9-10, Jan. 2025, p. 86. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A829739572/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=6cb291fb. Accessed 27 July 2025.