About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with feelings of being an outsider or lacks confidence in their own unique talents. It is a powerful choice for children in foster or adoptive families who need to see a protagonist navigating complex feelings of belonging and betrayal. The story follows Jack Carr, a foster child and aspiring escape artist who is traded to a supernatural carnival in the Forest of the Dead. While the setting is a spooky, atmospheric fantasy, the heart of the story is Jack's resilience and his discovery that his 'tricks' are actually the tools of his survival. It deals with heavy themes like abandonment and mortality through a secular, metaphorical lens, making it an empowering read for middle-grade students aged 9 to 12 who enjoy high-stakes adventure and spooky mysteries.
