Dublin, 1937

At the Grand Central Cinema on O’Connell Street, the children of Dublin watch their Hollywood heroes on the silver screen

When Sylvie meets tenement boy Jem and his daredevil sister Juno, they bond over their love of movies. But an accident means Juno will miss the latest film at the Grando, so they hatch a plot to hijack the movie reel and do a top-secret private showing instead!

Meanwhile, a sneak thief called The Magpie has his eye on the Grand Central Cinema too. Can Sylvie and Jem revive Juno’s ailing spirits by bringing the movies to her? And will they foil The Magpie’s feather-brained plan in time?

Strong in its 1930s setting and made all that more entertaining with the author's signature use of wit, Nolan's new series is a fusion of history and mystery that shines a spotlight on the true magic of the silver screen and the importance of imagination

With clever twists and a cast of unforgettable characters, this is a beautifully woven story of friendship, adventure and the magic of movies.

A rip-roaring story set in 1930s Dublin! Alan Nolan delivers a dazzling, cinematic adventure with friendship at its core ... Set against the golden age of cinema in Ireland, this is a perfect read for young dreamers, mystery lovers and anyone who relishes a great story

A witty, warm, and exciting adventure about cinema, the power of daydreams, and so much more. A wonderful book!

Alan Nolan has created another brilliant book for young readers, the perfect blend of history and adventure. He brings the world of 1937 Dublin alive and readers will be captivated ... great fun, the plot is fast-paced and there are laughs galore. Perfect for young history and adventure fans. A magnificent ode to early cinema and to the creativity and ingenuity of young people!

Brilliant for all ages. Do yourself a favour and read this book, you won't be disappointed!

A truly heartwarming tale of friendship, adventure and the magic of movies … With clever twists and a cast of unforgettable characters, this beautifully woven story invites readers into a world where friendship and imagination light up the screen. With rich descriptions of 1930s Dublin, readers who know the city well will be able to picture the scenes, while readers who are less familiar, might even feel curious to explore the places that inspired this story. Overall, a captivating and very well-written book that leaves you longing for more adventures from the Grand Central Cinema Club

A warm-hearted, sweet and funny adventure and friendship story, set in the golden age of cinema

a good adventure ...I really enjoyed this book, says reviewer Keelan, age 10

A warm-hearted, sweet and funny adventure and friendship story, set in the golden age of cinema

Alan Nolan's story of friendship, film, and fun; as well-to-do Sylvie and tenement children Jem and Juno find common ground in their shared love of movies … in Laurel-and-Hardy style, everyone and everything converges as this cinematic caper for readers aged nine-plus hurtles towards a chaotic crescendo

ALAN NOLAN was awarded the 2024 Children’s Books Ireland Annual Award for his outstanding contribution to children’s books. Alan grew up in Windy Arbour, Dublin and now lives in Bray, Co. Wicklow with his wife and three children. Alan is the author of the Molly Malone and Bram Stoker series. He is also the author and illustrator of Fintan’s Fifteen, Conor’s Caveman and the Sam Hannigan series, and is the illustrator of Animal Crackers: Fantastic Facts About Your Favourite Animals, written by Sarah Webb. Alan runs illustration and writing workshops for children, and you may see him lugging his drawing board and pencils around your school or local library. www.alannolan.ie Bluesky: @alnolan Instagram: @alannolan_author Shane Cluskey is an illustrator from Galway in the west of Ireland. He studied at The National College of Art & Design in Dublin and after that, traveled to America and London to further his illustration career. Now, he's back in his hometown, still daydreaming and drawing pictures, and he hopes to keep doing it for a very long time!