Reading Metrics
Description
Bobby is a teenage boy living in Dublin who engages in reckless behavior including smoking, drinking, and stealing cars. When his mother moves the family to a cottage in the countryside, Bobby becomes convinced that something sinister lurks within their new home. The novel, which was shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal in 2009, follows this troubled teenager as he confronts the darkness and secrets of his new surroundings. The book contains profanity and is written for upper grade readers.
Quick Summary
A rebellious Dublin teen who steals cars and pushes back against his family's move to a creepy countryside cottage gets more than he bargained for when the old house starts revealing dark secrets that will keep readers turning pages late into The Night Diary. If your kid loves the moody, suspenseful Irish atmosphere of Patrick Ness's A Monster Calls combined with the troubled-but-lovable protagonist energy of The Outsiders, they will devour every chapter. Perfect for teens in grades 9-12 who want a darkly atmospheric read that tackles family, loss, and the supernatural without feeling like a typical horror story.