The Eyes of Kid Midas

Kevin, a middle schooler who is often the target of bullies, finds a pair of high tech sunglasses on a school trip to a local peak. He quickly realizes the glasses possess a reality warping power: whatever he wishes for while wearing them becomes true. What begins as harmless fun and small revenges spirals into a dark transformation of his entire town as Kevin loses control over his own desires and the glasses take on a life of their own. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with bullying and power dynamics in a secular, direct way. While the magic is fantastical, the emotional fallout is grounded and realistic. The resolution is bittersweet and cautionary, emphasizing that some things cannot be undone. EMOTIONAL ARC: The story starts with a sense of wonder and empowerment but steadily descends into a psychological thriller. It builds from lighthearted fantasy to a heavy, high stakes exploration of greed and shame, eventually reaching a climax of intense self reflection and sacrifice. IDEAL READER: A 12 year old who feels overlooked by peers or frustrated by their lack of control over their life. This reader likely enjoys spooky or dark fantasy and is ready to think about the ethics of power. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child becoming increasingly manipulative or using 'shortcuts' to avoid hard work or social conflict. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware of a scene where Kevin accidentally 'erases' or severely alters people, which can be emotionally heavy. Reading the final third of the book is recommended to understand the dark shift. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers will focus on the 'cool' factor of the magic and the scary monsters, while older readers will pick up on the metaphors for addiction and the burden of absolute power. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many 'wish fulfillment' stories that remain whimsical, Shusterman takes the concept to a chilling, psychological limit that feels more like a Twilight Zone episode for teens.