CHILDREN’S FANTASY AUTHOR RELEASES LATEST NOVEL IN AWARD WINNING SERIES!
Multi-award-winning children’s author Rob Keeley is preparing to release the latest instalment in his popular Spirits series, taking readers on a magical journey back to the Middle Ages. The Spirit of Adventure is a new fantasy novel that takes children from 8-16 years old on an awe-inspiring time travel journey and it’s available to order now!
The Wirral author is set to delight young readers with the release of his latest children’s novel, The Spirit of Adventure, a thrilling tale of ghosts, time travel and medieval mystery. The new book, officially released on 28th November 2026 but available to order now, is the latest instalment in Keeley’s long-running Spirits series, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2024.
This time, Victorian ghost Edward Fitzberranger receives an invitation to visit his medieval ancestor, Sir Francis, at Fitzberranger Castle. Accompanied by his friends Ruby and Jayden, Edward embarks on an extraordinary adventure that takes the trio back in time. But what begins as a visit soon turns into a dangerous quest when the travellers discover that Sir Francis has been ordered by King John to retrieve a mystical relic from an ancient, abandoned church.
As they journey through a spooky forest and across a river, they encounter magical guardians and the mysterious powers of the spirit world. With questions surrounding the true purpose of Sir Francis’s mission, the friends must overcome a series of challenges if they are ever to return to the present day. Combining fantasy, suspense and historical adventure, the novel’s medieval setting and exploration of contemporary themes also make it suitable for classroom reading.
Keeley, who lives in Wirral, has been writing stories and plays since childhood. His literary career began with the publication of The Alien in the Garage and Other Stories in 2011, and he has since published 18 children’s books. His Spirits series began with Childish Spirits in 2014 and has continued to introduce young readers to supernatural adventures, mysteries and time-travelling escapades.
Over the years, his writing has received considerable recognition. High Spirits won the young adult category of the 2018 Georgina Hawtrey-Woore Award, while The Spirit of London was highly commended for the 2016 Independent Author Book Award. His work has also been longlisted for the Bath Children’s Novel Award and the International Rubery Book Award, while his books have received a nomination for the People’s Book Prize.
Keeley’s talents extend beyond children’s fiction. In 2022, he published his first adult novel, a murder mystery entitled Death at Friar’s Inn. He has also written for BBC Radio 4 Extra, contributed to anthologies and explored writing for the stage. Alongside his writing career, Keeley is passionate about encouraging children to read and develop their own storytelling skills. He regularly delivers author workshops in schools and libraries, drawing on his experience as a writer and his academic background, which includes a master’s degree in Creative Writing from Lancaster University.
His work with young people has also earned recognition, with his author workshops nominated for the Fearless Freelancer Award at the 2024 Northern Cultural Education Awards. A patron of the Children’s Media Foundation, Keeley has previously served as a judge for the IGGY and Litro Young Writers’ Prize and was Children’s Writer in Residence at the Stay at Home Literary Festival during lockdown.
Rob says: “My Spirit series consists of novels that are fun, full of adventure and also encourage learning about various subjects and history through time-travel. The feedback and reviews have been fantastic and have won awards, so I’m very excited to be releasing this 7th novel in the series. Official release date is 28th November but it’s available to pre-order and you can catch me selling copies at Liverpool Book Festival on Sunday 15th November at BoxPark.”
With The Spirit of Adventure, he continues a series that has entertained young readers for more than a decade, combining historical settings with supernatural storytelling. The new novel promises an imaginative journey into the Middle Ages, filled with mysterious encounters, unexpected dangers and the enduring appeal of friendship and adventure. The Spirit of Adventure is being published by Troubador Publishing, released on 28th November 2026 and is already available to pre-order through the publisher.
Rob Keeley / The Spirit Of Adventure
For more information on Rob Keeley, his books and workshops, visit his WEBSITE
