
A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is struggling with the messy, surreal, and often lonely aftermath of losing a parent, particularly when that loss feels unresolved or poetic in its tragedy. The story follows Melissa, a girl whose father, a flamboyant poet with a satyr-like personality, drowned exactly one year ago. When a mysterious boy appearing to be a real faun emerges from the woods, Melissa must decide if he is a supernatural reincarnation or a manifestation of her own desperate need for closure. It is a sophisticated exploration of grief, the line between myth and reality, and the ways we romanticize those we have lost. Jane Yolen uses rich, lyrical language to validate the complex emotions of a 12 to 17 year old navigating deep sadness and the slow process of letting go.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe father's death by drowning is the central backstory; it is described but not seen.
Some tension regarding the mysterious boy's intentions and a scene involving rough water.
The book deals with the death of a parent by drowning. The approach is secular but deeply metaphorical, using Greek mythology as a lens for grief. The resolution is realistic and bittersweet, focusing on the acceptance of loss rather than a magical reunion.
A thoughtful, creative teenager who appreciates mythology and is navigating the 'anniversary' of a significant loss. This reader might be prone to escapism or romanticizing the person they lost.
Parents should be aware that the book explores the father's eccentricities and the possibility that his death was not purely accidental, though it is handled with subtlety. Reading the first few chapters to understand the father's satyr-obsession will help provide context for the boy's appearance. A parent might notice their child withdrawing into books, art, or fantasy as a way to avoid the 'real world' chores and social interactions following a family tragedy.
Younger teens (12-13) may focus on the 'is he a faun?' mystery, while older teens will better grasp the psychological nuances of Melissa's projection and her father's complex legacy.
Unlike many 'grief' books that are strictly realistic, this uses the framework of high-concept mythology and 'The Silenus' archetype to explore the intellectual and creative bond between a father and daughter.
One year after the death of her father, a celebrated and eccentric poet named Joss, Melissa is struggling to find her footing in a world that feels diminished. Her father often identified with satyrs and fauns in his work and life. When a boy named Gabriel appears on the beach looking remarkably like a satyr and claiming to have a connection to her father, Melissa is drawn into a psychological mystery. She must determine if this is a magical occurrence or a human deception, ultimately forcing her to confront the reality of her father's flaws and her own grief.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.