Reading Metrics
Description
In this novel, Skip, an 11-year-old runaway, befriends Billy, a homeless man, and they flee a war-torn Australian city with 6-year-old Max. They camp out at a seaside amusement park, where they are later joined by Tia, a 15-year-old ballerina, and her baby. The group must scavenge for food and supplies while hiding from dangerous gangs and soldiers, and as the situation deteriorates, the young Skip must take responsibility to lead the fragile group.
Quick Summary
Set against an unusual wartime Australian backdrop where kids take matters into their own hands, this heartwarming story follows a runaway, a homeless man, and a stray ballerina who create their own makeshift family at an abandoned seaside amusement park. Young readers will root for these scrappy characters as they use ingenuity and humor to survive together, with a lovable baby adding moments of tender sweetness amid the chaos. If your kid loves the found-family magic of "Bridge to Terabithia" or the survival spirit of "Holes," they'll be completely hooked by this one. Perfect for kids in grades 4 through 7 who enjoy stories about resilience, unlikely friendships, and kids proving they can handle anything.