About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when a child is processing a major life transition, such as the loss of a parent or a difficult move, and needs a high-stakes adventure to help externalize those heavy emotions. The story follows siblings Emily and Navin who, after witnessing their father's accidental death, move to a mysterious ancestral home. When their mother is kidnapped by a multi-eyed creature, they must enter a subterranean world of robots and monsters to save her. While it features intense fantasy action and some frightening imagery, the core of the book is about family loyalty and finding the courage to protect those you love. It is an excellent choice for middle-grade readers who enjoy cinematic, fast-paced storytelling but are also ready to grapple with themes of grief and responsibility.
What Parents Should Know
Sensitive Topics
DISTRESS: The opening sequence depicts a car accident where the father is trapped and killed while the family watches. It is emotionally visceral. Additionally, the mother is kidnapped and poisoned by a monster that looks like a giant, toothy eye with tentacles, which may be scary for sensitive younger readers. CONVERSATION: Be prepared to discuss the burden of responsibility. Emily is given a choice to use a power she doesn't fully understand to save her family. Parents might want to talk about how grief can make us feel like we have to grow up too fast.
Ideal Reader
A 9-to-11-year-old who loves Star Wars or Studio Ghibli films and is looking for a story where kids have to be the heroes in a scary world.
Parent Prep
Preview the first 10 pages (the accident) and the creature design of the 'charnon' to ensure it won't cause nightmares for younger children. A child witnessing a parent's death in a car crash or seeing a parent in a life-threatening medical state (poisoned/unconscious).
Age Experience
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the cool robots and the scary monsters. Older readers (11-12) will pick up on the internal struggle Emily face: the stone's voice tempting her with power versus her own moral compass.
What Makes It Special
Kibuishi's cinematic art style and the blend of steampunk technology with dark, high-stakes fantasy set it apart from typical middle-grade graphic novels.
Read plot summary
After a fatal car accident claims their father, Emily and Navin move to their great-grandfather's estate. They discover a gateway to Alledia, a world where Emily becomes the 'Stonekeeper' of a powerful amulet. To save their mother from a 'charnon' (a tentacled parasite), they team up with a mechanical rabbit and a giant house-turned-robot.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The Amulet tells Emily that it can help her, but it also feels a bit dangerous. Do you think Emily should trust the stone's voice?
2
Navin and Emily have very different roles in the house. How do they use their different skills to help their mom?
3
Silas, the great-grandfather, spent his life building things in this house. Why do you think he kept his work a secret from the family for so long?
4
At the end of the book, Emily has to make a choice about whether to stay in Alledia or leave. Why does she choose to stay?
