About This Book
Reach for this book when your child feels weighed down by a past mistake or believes they are stuck in a cycle of bad luck. It is an ideal choice for pre-teens who are beginning to navigate the heavy emotions of guilt and the pressure to fix family problems. The story follows Dom as he travels to Thailand to retrieve a lost jade necklace and appease a vengeful spirit, exploring themes of accountability, cultural respect, and the courage required to face one's fears. Sleator provides a masterfully atmospheric mystery that is both a spooky ghost story and a psychological study of responsibility. While the supernatural elements provide a high-stakes thrill, the core of the book is about Dom's growth from a fearful boy to a resilient problem-solver. It is best suited for readers aged 10 to 14 who enjoy suspenseful stories that respect their intelligence and emotional complexity.
