About the Author

Chris Columbus has written, directed, and produced some of the most successful box-office hits in Hollywood history. He first made his name by writing several original scripts produced by Steven Spielberg, including the back-to-back hits Gremlins and The Goonies. As a director, Columbus has been at the helm of such iconic projects as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Home Alone, Stepmom, and Mrs. Doubtfire. As a producer, Columbus was also behind the hit films Night at the Museum and The Help.

Ned Vizzini (1981-2013) was the bestselling author of the acclaimed young adult books It's Kind of a Funny Story (also a major motion picture), Be More Chill, Teen Angst? Naaah . . . , and The Other Normals. He wrote for the New York Times, Salon, and The New Yorker. He also wrote for TV, including MTV's hit show Teen Wolf. His work has been translated into twenty-five languages.

Chris Rylander is the author of the Fourth Stall saga and the Epic Series of Failures trilogy, as well as Codename Zero and its sequels. A fan of baseball, statistics, and baseball statistics, he lives with his family in Chicago. You can visit him online at www.chrisrylander.com.

Reviews

"Fans will relish this final adventure . . . Delightfully imaginative" -- BooklistPraise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: "A breakneck, jam-packed rollercoaster of an adventure about the secret power of books, HOUSE OF SECRETS comes complete with three resourceful sibling heroes, a seriously creepy villainess, and barrel loads of fantasy and fear." -- J.K. RowlingPraise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: "A swift-paced . . . clever page-turner for any reader who has wanted to take part in literary adventures. . . . This story is compelling, great fun, and sure to be popular." -- ALA BooklistPraise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: "In a rousing adventure reminiscent of THE EMERALD ATLAS, director Columbus and author Vizzini catapult a trio of siblings across time and space, as they square off against a forgotten writer's literary legacy... The nonstop action comes with increasingly high stakes...wildly imaginative." -- Publishers WeeklyPraise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: "[It] stirs up plenty of action involving pirates, giants, and man-eating insects - not to mention a skeleton sword fight worthy of Jason and the Argonauts. House will have even reluctant readers lining up for a sequel." -- Tara Fowler, Entertainment Weekly (A- Review)Praise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: "HOUSE OF SECRETS is one of the most entertaining middle-grade fantasy novels I have ever read. Anyone can enjoy House of Secrets because it's chock full of action, adventure, and humor...Once you read HOUSE OF SECRETS you'll be begging for the sequel!" -- Jonathan Goldhirsch, Examiner.comPraise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: "This book is a true masterpiece of perfection." -- Krazy Kesh, The GuardianPraise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: "Columbus and Vizzini craft a fast-moving, cinematic narrative that packs plenty of punch." -- Kirkus ReviewsPraise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: "Columbus and Vizzini know how to keep a story moving. Every chapter ends in a cliffhanger." -- Marjorie Ingall, The New York TimesPraise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: BATTLE OF THE BEASTS: "A dark action-adventure-fantasy with surprising heart." -- Kirkus ReviewsPraise for HOUSE OF SECRETS: BATTLE OF THE BEASTS: "[An] imaginative, fast-paced adventure that is sure to please fans." -- Booklist