Stanley Family

4 primary works

The Headless Cupid

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Published 1 July 1971

When the four Stanley children meet Amanda, their new stepsister, they're amazed to learn that she studied witchcraft. They're stunned to see her dressed in a strange costume, carrying a pet crow, and surrounded by a pile of books about the supernatural.

It's not long before Amanda promises to give witchcraft lessons to David, Janie, and the twins. But that's when strange things start happening in their old house. David suspects Amanda of causing mischief, until they learn that the house really was haunted a long time ago.

Legend has it that a ghost cut the head off a wooden cupid on the stairway. Has the ghost returned to strike again?

The Famous Stanley Kidnapping Case

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Published 1 January 1979

Kidnappers in Italy have their hands full when the captive American children advise them on running a better kidnapping and on proper nutrition.

Blair's Nightmare

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Published 1 November 1985

The Stanley kids and their stepsister try to keep secret a dog that Blair finds, keep David out of the clutches of the school bully, and find out if some escaped convicts really are nearby. Sequel to "The Famous Stanley Kidnapping Case."

Blair's Nightmare

by Zilpha Keatley Snyder

Published 26 August 2014

A giant Irish wolfhound might be the dog of David's dreams in the third book in the Stanley Family series, a companion to The Headless Cupid, from three-time Newbery Honor winner Zipha Keatley Snyder.

With five children, a raven, and a pet turkey named King Tut, the Stanley house is full-to-bursting. But David desperately wants a dog--even though his dad has forbidden another pet. So when Blair begins sleepwalking and having dreams of an enormous dog that comes to the house every night, David assumes Blair just wants a dog too. But what if Blair's Nightmare, as the kids quickly name the dog, isn't only a dream? Is Nightmare the dog they've always wanted? And how can the kids keep him--without letting their parents know?