The spectrum of Gillian Cross's writing is wide and varied. Her stories for children and young adults delve into history, suspense, or simply the inherent problems of school life; no matter what the theme, she aims to strike a chord with her readers, particularly reluctant ones. Reviewers frequently point to her well-realized characterizations and her sympathy for the difficulties of growing up. Her willingness to deal bluntly with some of the nastier parts of childhood has won her many readers. Writing in the Times Literary Supplement, Sarah Hayes observed, "in all her writing Gillian Cross reveals a certain darkness that is sometimes shown as pure evil and sometimes a symptom of human weakness or need." As Cross told School Librarian, "I like to write for children and young people because then I feel free to write about important things: love, death, moral decisions. . . ." Even in her lightest vein...