About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts noticing that the adults in their community carry invisible burdens or when they are ready to discuss how people cope with past trauma. It is a quiet, poetic story set in a small Minnesota town where two twelve-year-old boys observe a mysterious man named Carl. While the community initially sees Carl as a strange outsider, the boys witness his journey of healing through movement and connection. This story explores themes of post-traumatic stress, communal empathy, and the restorative power of art. It is ideal for middle schoolers who are developing a more nuanced understanding of human behavior. Gary Paulsen moves away from his typical survival adventures to offer a gentle, sophisticated look at how a community can hold space for someone who is hurting, ultimately showing that hope can be found in the most unexpected places.
