The Boy in the Smoke

A SHADES OF LONDON exclusive World Book Day story

On a cold night, Stephen Dene went to the Eton boathouse to perform a desperate act. But someone stopped him along the way, sending his life in a new and decidedly strange direction—leading him to London, to two new friends, and to a world of shadows and mystery.

ABOUT THE AUTHORMaureen Johnson was recently crowned the 2012 Queen of Teen in the UK - but, as it turns out, she is American. She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, during a massive snowstorm. After a little dalliance with astronomy (she had a glow in the dark star chart) and archaeology (she had a little shovel), Maureen declared her intention to become a writer at the age of eight or nine or so.

She is a New York Times bestselling author of ten YA novels (including SUITE SCARLETT, SCARLETT FEVER, 13 LITTLE BLUE ENVELOPES, THE NAME OF THE STAR, and THE MADNESS UNDERNEATH). She has also written many collaborative works, such as LET IT SNOW (with John Green and Lauren Myracle), and THE BANE CHRONICLES (with Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan). She writes frequently on the subject of Young Adult literature for many publications, and is well-known for her online presence on Twitter (@maureenjohnson). Maureen lives in New York, and online on Twitter (or at www.maureenjohnsonbooks.com). She's not giving that crown back.