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Description
In this middle-grade novel, Avalyn, who has lived in the clear, dry air of Clear Canyon City since surviving a severe asthma attack, finally breathes easy until a quiet, dust-covered boy named Adam arrives and the town is hit by a rash of unexplained dust storms. As Avalyn gets to know Adam, she notices the storms seem to flare whenever his emotions spike, and she suspects his secret may be stirring the dust that threatens her lungs. Bullied by classmates and grappling with her own fears, Avalyn must untangle the mystery behind the dust, protect her new friend, and find a way to breathe again.
Quick Summary
"Dust" has this really unique premise where the increasing dust in the air actually responds to one boy's emotions, and it's up to Avalyn to figure out what's going on before things spiral out of control. Kids who love stories with a touch of mystery mixed with magical elements will probably get hooked pretty fast, especially if they liked "The Boy Who Grew Roses" or similar contemporary fantasy with real-world problems. There's some heavier stuff here though bullying shows up, and there are moments that get genuinely creepy or disturbing, plus a little violence so it's better suited for older middle graders who can handle that kind of thing. What makes it stick with you is how it mixes this almost supernatural mystery with really real friendship struggles and the weight of keeping secrets. If your kid wants something with more emotional depth than a typical adventure story but still has enough going on to keep pages turning, this one's worth picking up.