Description

Book Synopsis

The book is about, among other things: the strongest boy in the world, a talking cockatoo, a faulty mind reader, a beautiful bearded lady and a nervous magician, an old museum, and a shrunken head.

Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey''s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. Philippa is a powerful mentalist, Sam is the world''s strongest boy, and Thomas can squeeze himself into a space no bigger than a bread box. The children live happily with museum owner Mr. Dumfrey, alongside other misfits. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events.

When the museum''s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts.



Trade Review
Stupendous and stupefying! A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a Shrunken Head. If you aren't curious about Curiosity House somebody must have pickled your brain and put in a jar. Read this book immediately. -- Pseudonymous Bosch, New York Times bestselling author of the Secret Series and Bad
Step right up! Step right up! Mystery, murder, curses, and sideshow freaks! Or are they superheroes? There's only one way to find out... Read Curiosity House! You'll be glad you did! -- Adam Gidwitz, New York Times bestselling author of the A Tale Dark & Grimm
An absolute delight . . . The story is packed with mystery, murder, adventure, humour and magic, but above all it is a beautiful evocation of loss, tempered by the gradual blossoming of friendship, trust and hope. Although aimed at younger readers, the lightness of touch and the tenderness of the message could make grown men weep. * Daily Mail on LIESL & PO *
A gorgeous story -- timeless and magical. -- Rebecca Stead, Newbery winner for When You Reach Me
LIESL & PO by Lauren Oliver brings much-needed magic to an increasingly neglected age group . . . there are some exquisitely drawn characters . . . it's books like this, with its classic quest plot, intertwined with lyrical metaphysics, that can set a child up for life. * Sunday Telegraph
on LIESL & PO *

Curiosity House The Shrunken Head Book One

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    £8.54

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    RRP £8.99 – you save £0.45 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Sat 20 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Lauren Oliver, H C Chester

    2 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Curiosity House The Shrunken Head Book One by Lauren Oliver

      Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
      Publication Date: 06/10/2016
      ISBN13: 9781444777215, 978-1444777215
      ISBN10: 1444777211

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      The book is about, among other things: the strongest boy in the world, a talking cockatoo, a faulty mind reader, a beautiful bearded lady and a nervous magician, an old museum, and a shrunken head.

      Blessed with extraordinary abilities, orphans Philippa, Sam, and Thomas have grown up happily in Dumfrey''s Dime Museum of Freaks, Oddities, and Wonders. Philippa is a powerful mentalist, Sam is the world''s strongest boy, and Thomas can squeeze himself into a space no bigger than a bread box. The children live happily with museum owner Mr. Dumfrey, alongside other misfits. But when a fourth child, Max, a knife-thrower, joins the group, it sets off an unforgettable chain of events.

      When the museum''s Amazonian shrunken head is stolen, the four are determined to get it back. But their search leads them to a series of murders and an explosive secret about their pasts.



      Trade Review
      Stupendous and stupefying! A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a Shrunken Head. If you aren't curious about Curiosity House somebody must have pickled your brain and put in a jar. Read this book immediately. -- Pseudonymous Bosch, New York Times bestselling author of the Secret Series and Bad
      Step right up! Step right up! Mystery, murder, curses, and sideshow freaks! Or are they superheroes? There's only one way to find out... Read Curiosity House! You'll be glad you did! -- Adam Gidwitz, New York Times bestselling author of the A Tale Dark & Grimm
      An absolute delight . . . The story is packed with mystery, murder, adventure, humour and magic, but above all it is a beautiful evocation of loss, tempered by the gradual blossoming of friendship, trust and hope. Although aimed at younger readers, the lightness of touch and the tenderness of the message could make grown men weep. * Daily Mail on LIESL & PO *
      A gorgeous story -- timeless and magical. -- Rebecca Stead, Newbery winner for When You Reach Me
      LIESL & PO by Lauren Oliver brings much-needed magic to an increasingly neglected age group . . . there are some exquisitely drawn characters . . . it's books like this, with its classic quest plot, intertwined with lyrical metaphysics, that can set a child up for life. * Sunday Telegraph
      on LIESL & PO *

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