John Bellairs is Author #2 in the 12 authors in 31 days challenge. John Bellairs wrote creepy supernatural mysteries for older readers - grades 6 and up - featuring one of three main characters. In 1973, Bellairs wrote his very first teen novel, The House with a Clock in its Walls, starring Lewis Barnavelt . This was followed by four more supernatural thrillers. When Bellairs died in 1992, Brad Strickland, already a well-known author for teens, fleshed out outlines for 2 more Lewis Barnavelt stories.
Bellairs' most popular hero is Johnny Dixon, who first appeared in The Curse of the Blue Figurine, written in 1983. Johnny has appeared in a total of 6 novels, 4 by John Bellairs and 2 by Brad Strickland.
Bellairs' third hero is Anthony Monday. Anthony Monday's first appearance was in The Treasure of Alpheus Winterborn, a straightforward mystery with no supernatural elements. When Anthony Monday returned in The Dark Secret of Weatherend, he was battling evil spirits, just like Lewis and Johnny before him.
John Bellairs' family has developed a very complete website, Bellairsia, about Bellairs' life and works for teens and adults. Bellairs' books are best for the strong-hearted reader in grades 6 and up. The books are truly creepy without being too graphic.
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