
Reach for this book when your child is using imaginative play to navigate a difficult life transition, such as a family move or a change in household dynamics. It speaks to the middle schooler who feels caught between the magic of childhood games and the heavy realities of the adult world. The story follows Jeremy and his friends as their elaborate fantasy game in a local ravine begins to collide with real world challenges. It beautifully captures the way creativity serves as both an escape and a tool for processing grief and anxiety. Parents will appreciate how it validates the need for 'big play' while gently guiding children toward emotional maturity and resilience. It is a thoughtful choice for ages 9 to 12, offering a mirror for those who feel their world is shifting beneath their feet.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals with parental absence and emotional neglect in a realistic, secular manner. The father's absence is a hovering cloud, and the mother's depression is handled with empathy rather than judgment. The resolution is hopeful but grounded: things do not magically fix themselves, but the protagonist gains the tools to cope.
A 10 or 11 year old who is a 'dreamer' or a Dungeons and Dragons fan, particularly one who is currently dealing with a 'broken' home life and uses stories to hide from their feelings.
It is helpful to read this cold, but parents should be prepared to discuss the scene where a child gets injured in the ravine, as it serves as the catalyst for the shift from fantasy to reality. A parent might choose this after seeing their child retreat into video games or books to avoid talking about a recent family argument or a major life change.
Younger readers (9) will focus on the adventure and the 'coolness' of the ravine world. Older readers (12) will better grasp the metaphor of the ravine as a mental safe haven.
Unlike many 'portal' fantasies, this book is firmly realistic: the magic is entirely in the children's heads, which makes the emotional stakes feel much higher and more relatable.
Jeremy and his friends have created an intricate, long running fantasy world in a nearby ravine. As Jeremy deals with his father's absence and his mother's struggle to keep things together, the 'world' in the ravine becomes a sanctuary. However, the boundaries between their shared fiction and reality begin to blur when a new boy joins the group and a real life accident occurs, forcing the children to abandon their roles and face the consequences of their actions in the physical world.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.