The End of Time

Reach for this book when your child is starting to question the logic of the world and enjoys deconstructing mysteries that feel almost impossible to solve. It is an ideal pick for a young reader who is moving away from simple fables and toward stories that challenge their critical thinking and understanding of how history, science, and human fear intertwine. The story follows a young boy in a Victorian setting who becomes entangled in a high-stakes race against time involving a strange clockmaker and a potential supernatural threat. At its heart, this is a tale about the power of belief and the courage required to stand up against systemic fear. Avi masterfully balances an eerie, atmospheric tone with a grounded emotional core focused on loyalty and bravery. Parents will appreciate the sophisticated vocabulary and the way the book encourages children to look past the surface of a problem to find a rational or moral solution. It is a haunting yet hopeful mystery that respects a middle-grade reader's intelligence.