For families grappling with mysterious events, this story explores a sister's deep worry and suspicion about her sleepwalking brother amid troubling island fires.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is wrestling with a secret or a deep worry about a family member's behavior. The Nightwalker centers on twelve-year-old Savannah, who lives on a remote island off the North Carolina coast. When mysterious fires begin to destroy local fishing shacks, she grows terrified that her younger brother, Poco, is the culprit during his frequent sleepwalking episodes. The story masterfully explores anxiety, loyalty, and the heavy burden of suspicion. For ages 9 to 13, this atmospheric mystery is an excellent choice for a thoughtful reader, opening up conversations about trust, fear, and when to share a difficult secret with adults.
Explores the emotional distress of suspecting a loved one of terrible things.
Sensitive Topics
The story's central conflict is psychological. It directly addresses a child's intense anxiety and the moral distress of suspecting a loved one of wrongdoing. There is environmental peril from the fires and a hurricane. The resolution is hopeful, reaffirming family bonds and resolving the protagonist's internal turmoil.
Ideal Reader
An ideal reader is a sensitive, introspective child aged 10 to 12 who enjoys atmospheric mysteries that focus more on character than action. It is perfect for a child grappling with a secret they feel is too big to handle, or one who is experiencing anxiety about a family member's behavior that they don't understand.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold. No specific preparation is needed, but parents should be ready for conversations about secrets, trust, and the importance of talking to an adult when you are scared or worried. The fire and storm scenes are tense but not graphically violent. A parent has overheard their child expressing deep worry about a sibling or family situation. The child might seem to be carrying a heavy weight, acting secretive, or taking on a level of responsibility that is inappropriate for their age. They might ask a vague, worried question like, "What if someone in our family did something bad?"
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will likely engage with the book as a straightforward whodunit, focusing on the clues and the mystery of the fires. An older reader (11-13) will connect more with Savannah's complex emotional journey. They will better appreciate the psychological depth of her fear, guilt, and loyalty to Poco.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many plot-driven middle grade mysteries, The Nightwalker's power lies in its internal, psychological tension. The central mystery is not just "who is the arsonist?" but "how do you cope when you fear the answer is someone you love?" Its strong, evocative coastal setting and quiet, building suspense make it a uniquely atmospheric and emotionally resonant story.
Read plot summary
Twelve-year-old Savannah lives on a coastal island where a series of fires are destroying fishermen's shacks on the nearby Shackleford Bank. Her younger brother, Poco, is a chronic sleepwalker. Savannah's growing anxiety leads her to suspect Poco is the arsonist, and she begins gathering evidence while trying to protect him. The emotional core of the book is her internal conflict between love, fear, and a sense of responsibility. The plot builds to a climax during a hurricane, where the true identity of the fire-setter is revealed, absolving Poco and repairing the siblings' strained relationship.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Savvy chose not to tell her parents about her fears regarding Poco. Why do you think she did that? What might have happened differently if she had told them sooner?
2
Before she suspected him of setting the fires, how would you describe Savvy's relationship with Poco? How did her suspicion change the way she treated him?
3
The story is set on an island with wild ponies and hurricanes. How did this isolated setting make the mystery feel more tense?
4
When Savvy finds out who the real arsonist is, she feels enormous relief. What other emotions do you think she was feeling in that moment, for herself, her brother, and the culprit?
