
Reach for this book when your middle-schooler feels like the perpetual outsider or is struggling to maintain their identity through frequent family transitions. Jesse Alvarez is tired of being the new kid, and his latest move to a Wyoming ranch brings the added weight of family separation and local bullies. Through a blend of realistic school struggles and a touch of the supernatural, the story explores how shared grief and unlikely friendships can create a sense of home even in unfamiliar territory. It is an ideal choice for ages 10 to 14, offering a grounded look at resilience and the importance of finding one's community during times of isolation.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewSubtle tensions related to being an outsider in a rural, predominantly white community.
Threatening behavior from school bullies.
The book deals with parental separation and grief directly and realistically. The supernatural element (the ghost) serves as a secular metaphor for unresolved trauma and the 'ghosts' of the past that follow us. The resolution is hopeful and grounded in human connection.
A 12-year-old boy who has moved multiple times for a parent's job and feels he has to 'harden' himself to survive new environments.
Parents should be aware of the bullying scenes, which can feel quite visceral. It is helpful to discuss the cultural context of the Wyoming ranch setting and Indigenous themes if the child is unfamiliar with them. A parent might notice their child becoming withdrawn or 'giving up' on making friends after a move, or perhaps overhearing their child mention being targeted by a group at school.
Younger readers will focus on the spooky ghost mystery and the 'mean kid' dynamics. Older readers will resonate more with the internal struggle of family separation and the search for authentic identity.
Unlike many 'new kid' stories, this book integrates elements of magical realism and rural ranch life to heighten the emotional stakes of middle-school isolation.
Jesse Alvarez moves yet again when his father becomes a ranch foreman in Wyoming. Separated from his mother and dealing with the isolation of a rural school, Jesse must navigate aggressive bullying. He forms a bond with Aaron, a classmate paralyzed by grief, and discovers a supernatural presence on the ranch that mirrors his own feelings of being haunted by change. Together, they confront their fears and the people making their lives difficult.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.