About This Book
Reach for this book when your child starts looking at the corners of the backyard or the shadows in the park with a sense of expectant wonder. It is the perfect choice for a young reader who is beginning to crave independence and adventure but still finds comfort in the safety of home and family. The story follows siblings Terry and Max as they discover a literal gateway to the past in their Brooklyn yard, blending the magical with the historical. Ruth Chew is a master of the low stakes fantasy, making it ideal for 7 to 10 year olds who may be sensitive to high tension but love the idea of secret worlds. Through the siblings' journey to the time of the Lenape people, the book subtly introduces themes of environmental stewardship and respect for history. It is a gentle, cozy bridge between simple picture books and more complex middle grade novels, fostering a sense of curiosity about the land beneath our own feet.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
The approach is secular and simplified for a young audience, leaning into a sense of wonder rather than the complexities of colonization. There are no depictions of violence or heavy loss; the resolution is hopeful and magical.
