Jonathan Stroud’s The Screaming Staircase captivates with its atmospheric setting and well-crafted, eerie plot. Readers praise the engaging characters and thrilling adventure, though some find the pacing uneven. Ideal for fans of supernatural mysteries, this book blends humor and suspense effectively, making it a compelling read despite minor flaws.

Fans of thrilling, supernatural adventures like Harry Potter and Lockwood & Co. will enjoy The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud. This reader appreciates well-crafted ghost stories, clever protagonists, and a touch of humor. Ideal for those who love intricate plots and atmospheric settings.

In The Screaming Staircase, Lucy Carlyle joins Anthony Lockwood and George Cubbins in their ghost-hunting agency, Lockwood & Co., in a ghost-infested, quasi-post-apocalyptic London. They investigate a haunted mansion with a dangerous reputation, uncover a sinister plot linked to a past murder, and use their unique abilities to navigate the perilous supernatural world.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Unnerving

Jonathan Stroud

Middle grade

Novel

Lockwood & Co.

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Screaming Staircase reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Screaming Staircase | SuperSummary

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Overview

Get ready to explore The Screaming Staircase and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Screaming Staircase Summary and Study Guide

Background

The Screaming Staircase Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “The Ghost”

Part 1 The Screaming Staircase Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Before”

Part 2 The Screaming Staircase Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “The Necklace”

Part 3 The Screaming Staircase Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “The Hall” - Part 5: “And After”

Parts 4-5

The Screaming Staircase Parts 4-5 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Screaming Staircase Character Analysis

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Themes

The Screaming Staircase Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Screaming Staircase Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Screaming Staircase Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Screaming Staircase Essay Topics

The Screaming Staircase Teaching Unit

Introduction

The Screaming Staircase Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

The Screaming Staircase Reading Context

During Reading

Reading Questions & Paired Texts

The Screaming Staircase Reading Questions & Paired Texts

Answer Key

The Screaming Staircase Reading Questions Answer Key

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

The Screaming Staircase Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Activities

The Screaming Staircase Activities

Essay Questions

The Screaming Staircase Essay Questions

Exam Questions

The Screaming Staircase Cumulative Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

The Screaming Staircase Exam Answer Key

The Screaming Staircase

Before You Read

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Screaming Staircase?

Reading Age

Book Details