The Demon Headmaster: Mortal Danger
by Gillian Cross (Oxford University Press, 2019)
audiobook read by Steven Crossley (Nudged, 2019)
An oddly flat instalment, with little to no description of persons or place. The child protagonists are spirited but not particularly quick-witted or resourceful. Fortunately, then, the Headmaster’s plan, while shifty enough to keep everyone guessing, turns out to be utter bosh.
The Prime Minister’s Brain
by Gillian Cross (Oxford University Press, 1987)
A worthy sequel to The Demon Headmaster. The subverting of free will looms once again as a terrifying middle-grade threat, to be countered by a group of (argumentative, bickering) friends all of whom bring different attributes and foibles to bear. Addictive reading.
Crash Landing and Other Stories
by Gillian Cross; ill. Maureen Bradley (Puffin, 1998)
Three very short stories, two of which feature the Demon Headmaster and plucky schoolkids who think up ways to counter his hypnotic influence. Slightly rare but unremarkable, this collection is a 10-minute read, perhaps best used as a palate cleanser between novels.
The Demon Headmaster: Total Control
by Gillian Cross (Oxford University Press, 2017); audiobook read by Steven Crossley (Nudged, 2017)
One of the great middle grade villains returns, bringing his hypnotic powers into the digital age. At first the characters’ understanding lags a bit too far behind the reader’s. Thereafter, however, the kids become plucky and resourceful heroes, easy to cheer for.
The Demon Headmaster
by Gillian Cross (Oxford University Press, 1982)
The first in an award-winning series of children’s books featuring schoolkids Dinah, Lloyd and Harvey, who must fight back against the eponymous demon headmaster — a sinister man/creature who uses his hypnotic powers to take over the school… while eyeing even bigger conquests!