Hollow Earth

Lots of twins have a special connection - being able to finish each other's sentences; sensing what the other is thinking; perhaps even knowing when the other is in trouble or in pain - but for 12-year-old twins, Matt and Emily Calder, the connection is beyond special. Together, the twins have extraordinary powers - they are able to bring art to life, or enter paintings at will. Their abilities are sought by villains trying to access the terrors of Hollow Earth - a place where all the demons, devils and creatures ever imagined lie trapped for eternity.

The twins flee with their mother to the security of an island, off the west coast of Scotland, where their grandfather has certain protective powers of his own. But too much is at stake, and the twins aren't safe there either. The villains will stop at nothing to find Hollow Earth and harness the powers within...

John and Carole E Barrowman's first novel for young adults was published by Buster Books on 2 February 2012 and is available from all good bookstores and online retailers. On 6 February, Hollow Earth topped Amazon's chart of Children's Sci-fi and Fantasy novels.

John has recorded an audiobook version of the novel for AudioGO (UK) and this is now available for download or on CD.

Order Hollow Earth from AudioGo as download or on CD

The sequel to Hollow Earth, Bone Quill, will be published in the UK on 7 February 2013.

US Publication

Hollow Earth was published in the US on 30 October 2012 by Aladdin Books, the children's division of Simon and Schuster, and is now available from all good book stores and on-line retailers.

Order Hollow Earth from Amazon US

Signing events in the US

John and Carole have announced that they will be signing copies of the book at the following venues (all times quoted are local):

Tuesday, 30 October at 7.00pm
The Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL 60077
(co-hosting with The Book Stall)

Wednesday, 31 October at 7.00pm
Anderson's Bookshop
123 W. Jefferson Ave, Naperville, IL 60540

Friday, 2 November at 7.00pm
Alverno College Wehr Hall (sales through Boswell's Bookstore)
3401 S. 39th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53234
More information on event

Saturday, 3 November at 6.00pm
The Red Balloon Bookshop
891 Grand Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
More information on event

Saturday, 24 November from
4.00pm-7.00pm
Just Fabulous
515 North Palm Canyon Drive
Palm Springs CA 92262

TV Rights

It was announced on 19 July 2012 that the TV rights to Hollow Earth have been obtained by Zodiak Kids' The Foundation, who will partner with Barrowman Barker Productions to co-produce the series. John and Carole said:

"We are so thrilled to have our TV rights in such good hands. We can't wait to see all of Matt and Em's wild adventures and all their art come to life for viewers."

Hollow Earth Events

Reviews and Interviews (may contain spoilers)

Financial Times
"The central conceit - that certain people, known as Animare, are able to bring to life any picture they draw - is interesting and explored well, and the main characters, Matt and Emily Calder and their hearing-impaired friend Zach, are appealing and given convincing dialogue. The plot, meanwhile, sees sinister forces aligning to exploit the children's powers to open up a netherworld full of demons and there's a good use of lesser-known beasts from myth and fable."