The Boy from Tomorrow cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Middle Grades (MG 4-8)
Book Level 5.8
Points 10.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 61006
Points per Word 0.000164
Page Count 257
Points per Page 0.038911

Description

In this middle-grade tale, a girl named Josie in 1915 and a boy named Alec in 2015 discover they are living in the same house when a hand-painted spirit board links them across a century. Their nightly conversations forge an unlikely friendship, but the house's past contains dark events, including child abuse, that put both of them at risk. As they piece together the house's troubled history and the source of the supernatural connection, they must confront the lingering trauma of the past while protecting each other from danger.

Quick Summary

If you're looking for a time-travel story with real heart, this one goes in a different direction than most instead of the main character jumping through time, two kids from different eras connect through an old spirit board and become unlikely pen pals across a hundred years. It's a great pick for kids who love mysteries or stories about unlikely friendships, and the fact that it switches between 1915 and 2015 gives it an interesting historical angle that might appeal to readers who enjoy learning about the past without feeling like they're reading a textbook. Parents should know the book does deal with some heavy stuff, including a subplot involving child abuse, so while it's emotionally rich and ultimately hopeful, it's not a light read. Fans of books like "The Wild Robot" or "Hello, Universe" who want something with an edge will find plenty to love here.