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Alexandra Adornetto (born 1992) is the Australian author of three children's books in a projected trilogy, The Strangest Adventures.

Adornetto's completed books are The Shadow Thief (published 2007) and The Lampo Circus (2008), and Von Gobstopper's Arcade (2009) allpublished by HarperCollins. She says she was 13 years and on school holidays when she decided to become a recluse and started writing her first book for Young Adults, entitled The Shadow Thief. She did some research into Australian publishing houses, making sure she followed all the submission guidelines exactly, and then sent her manuscript to HarperCollins.^[1] She has said that it took HarperCollins about twenty weeks to get back to her asking to publish her book.^{[citation needed]}

In 2006 Adornetto won the State Legacy Public Speaking competition.^[2]

Contents 1 The Shadow Thief 2 The Lampo Circus 3 Von Gobstopper's Arcade 4 References

[edit] The Shadow Thief

The main characters of Shadow Thief are Millipop Klompet and Ernest Perriclof, who live in Drabville — a town whose residents suffer from having their shadows stolen by Aldor, who wants to use the shadows to become immortal,all-powerful and rule the world. According to Adornetto, "The shadow represents individuality and colour and a person's spirit, really." She said the two main characters were based on herself and her cousin, Tom Sellitto, and their own adventures together.^[1]

[edit] The Lampo Circus

The arrival of Federico Lampo and his travelling circus brings a new threat to Drabville when the children are kidnapped and transported to the grim world of the Conjuors′ Realm. Lord Aldor‚ assisted by Ringmaster Lampo and the vicious Contessa Bombasta‚ is plotting to conquer the fairy province of Mirth. . The children embark on a quest to warn the Queen of Mirth‚ encountering some fearsome obstacles‚ not least the ferocious Grin Bandits and their tooth−extracting apparatus. As the day of battle draws near‚ Milli and Ernest realise that if Lord Aldor defeats them‚ theirs won′t be the only lives at stake...

[edit] Von Gobstopper's Arcade

Master toymaker Gustav VonGobstopper announces plans to build a special Toy Arcade − brimming with the world′s greatest toys −− to commemorate the extraordinary bravery of Drabville′s children who have twice escaped the clutches of the wicked Lord Aldor. The children couldn′t be more excited. But when Milli and Ernest encounter Theo‚ the bandana−wearing teddy‚ deranged designer Tempest Anomalie and the immoral Botchers at the Arcade‚ it quickly becomes apparent that they have stumbled upon a macabre plot. Could this be the work of the evil Aldor − a malicious master plan designed to extinguish the very existence of childhood? As Christmas Eve draws close‚ Milli and Ernest find themselves enlisted as Santa′s helpers‚ for a Christmas spectacle that will be like no other ... But can they protect the town before catastrophe strikes?

[edit] References