Between Two Ends captures readers by pulling them into the living world of the Arabian Nights to solve a hidden family mystery. This adventure empowers children to tackle adult secrets and navigate emotional struggles through a brave, proactive hero. Books in this family share immersive magical realms where young protagonists confront high stakes to heal their families.
A parent would reach for this book when their child is beginning to notice that a parent is struggling with their own mental health, specifically long-term depression or sadness. It is a rare find for families looking to address the weight of adult emotional struggles through the protective lens of a high-stakes fantasy adventure. Yeats is a young boy who wants to fix his father's deep, historical sadness, and his journey into the world of the Arabian Nights provides a metaphorical space to explore empathy and family secrets. While the setting is exotic and full of pirate bookends and magical escapes, the core of the story is about the burden children often feel to heal their parents. It validates a child's desire to help while showing that healing is a journey involving the whole family. It is best suited for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12) who enjoy classic quest stories but are ready for more mature emotional undertones. Parents will appreciate how it normalizes clinical depression without being clinical in tone.
