About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is beginning to feel the weight of social pressure or is struggling with the realization that even 'good' communities can succumb to selfishness and exclusion. It is a profound choice for young readers who are developing a sense of personal ethics and discovering their own unique talents, especially when those talents feel like a heavy responsibility rather than a simple gift. Matty lives in Village, a sanctuary for those fleeing harsh worlds, but he soon notices a dark change: citizens are trading away their deepest virtues for material goods, leading to a vote to close their borders to those in need. Matty must journey through a thickening, hostile Forest to bring a loved one home before the gates shut forever. The story explores honesty, the cost of healing others, and the courage required to stand against a mob mentality. It is a haunting yet hopeful allegory about the necessity of empathy and the true meaning of sacrifice, perfect for middle schoolers navigating their own changing social landscapes.
