About This Book
A parent would reach for this book when their child begins questioning the fairness of rules or the motives of adults in positions of power. It is an ideal bridge for the reader who is outgrowing simple fairy tales and starting to grapple with the messy reality that authority figures are not always right. Set against a historical backdrop of superstition and witch hunts, the story follows a young apprentice who must choose between his loyalty to a mentor and his own sense of justice. It explores the heavy weight of integrity and the courage required to stand alone when the crowd is wrong. This is a sophisticated choice for middle schoolers ready to discuss moral ambiguity, the danger of groupthink, and the importance of evidence over fear. It provides a safe, historical lens through which to view modern themes of social pressure and systemic unfairness.
