About This Book
Reach for this book when your teen is grappling with the pressure of high expectations or struggling to define their own identity apart from the roles they have been cast in by others. This award winning science fiction novel presents a startling metaphor for power and submission through the eyes of Charley, a boy raised as a riding mount for an alien species. It is a profound exploration of what it means to be truly free versus comfortably cared for. While the premise sounds like a fantasy adventure, it is actually a deeply psychological study of the master-slave dynamic and the complicated loyalty that can exist within systems of oppression. Parents will appreciate the way it sparks conversations about agency, social structures, and the courage it takes to unlearn everything you have been taught about yourself. It is sophisticated enough for older teens but accessible for younger middle schoolers who enjoy high-concept stories.
