About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling with intense, perhaps even frightening, resentment toward a new stepparent or a changing family dynamic. Robert Westall's classic supernatural thriller externalizes the 'devils' of adolescent rage, providing a powerful metaphor for the destructive nature of holding onto the past at the expense of the present. While the story features haunting scarecrows and a chilling mystery, its core is a deeply realistic exploration of a boy who feels his home and his father's memory are being erased. Parents will find this a useful tool for normalizing the messy, often 'ugly' feelings that come with blended families. It is best suited for older middle schoolers and young teens who can handle suspenseful horror and complex emotional themes. By showing the protagonist's journey from isolation and hatred toward a more grounded reality, the book opens a safe space to discuss how anger can warp our perception of those we love.
