Something Wicked This Way Comes

Reach for this book when your child is standing on the threshold of adolescence, beginning to feel the pull of adulthood or the fear of being left behind. This dark fantasy explores the heavy choice between staying young and rushing into maturity. It centers on two best friends, Will and Jim, who encounter a sinister traveling carnival that preys on people's deepest regrets and secret desires for youth or power. Through the lens of a father-son relationship, the story tackles complex emotional themes like the acceptance of mortality and the strength found in laughter and love. While the atmosphere is eerie and suspenseful, it serves as a profound tool for normalizing the anxiety that comes with growing up. It is best suited for older middle schoolers and teens who are ready for a metaphorical exploration of good versus evil.