Reading Metrics
Description
Eleven-year-old Joel Gustafson lives with his father, a former sailor who abandoned the sea, after his mother abandoned the family. One night, Joel spots a lonely dog from his window and begins sneaking out to find the animal, walking the streets at night. Through these nightly excursions, he gains unsettling knowledge about his neighbors, his father, and himself.
Quick Summary
When an 11-year-old boy starts walking the streets at night to escape his problems, he stumbles onto mysteries hiding in plain sight around his quiet Swedish town. The story delivers spooky encounters, a complicated father-son relationship that will make kids think, and the addictive thrill of a kid uncovering truths adults have tried to bury. If your kid likes the mysterious small-town secrets in "Holes" by Louis Sachar or the emotional depth of "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," they'll be hooked. Perfect for kids ages 10-14 in grades 5-9 who enjoy character-driven mysteries with real heart.