About This Book
A parent should reach for this book when their teenager is expressing a deep sense of invisibility or a desperate need to break away from their current circumstances. It is a powerful choice for families navigating the quiet struggles of financial instability or for teens who feel that their potential is being stifled by a home life they cannot control. The story follows Robert, a bright but overlooked boy who, feeling trapped by his family's poverty and his mother's struggles, decides to steal a plane in a daring bid for freedom. While the high-stakes premise feels like a thriller, the core of the book is a sensitive exploration of loneliness, the weight of responsibility, and the messy reality of growing up too fast. It handles themes of class and shame with great nuance, making it appropriate for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers. Parents might choose this book to open a dialogue about healthy vs. destructive ways to seek independence and to validate the intense emotions that come with feeling stuck in a difficult family dynamic.
