About the Book

1. What age group is this book for?

Ages 8–12 (middle grade), but meaningful for older readers as well.

2. What is the book about?

This is the story of a boy whose anger grows so loud it begins to shape the world around him. After losing the people he loves most, Riley Rowan is left with feelings he doesn’t understand and nowhere safe to put them. When those feelings pull him into a strange, carnival-like world, he must face the truth about his grief before it traps him there for good. It’s a story about anger, loss, and the quiet courage it takes to let go. 

3. What themes does the book explore?

The main themes include grief, anger, resilience, friendship, forgiveness, and emotional growth.

4. Is this book appropriate for the classroom?

Yes. While the story explores themes like grief, anger, and moments of bullying, it does so in a thoughtful, age-appropriate way for middle-grade readers, with moments of humor woven throughout to balance the heavier emotions. The book is designed to open the door to meaningful conversations about emotions, resilience, and choice. A free Activity Pack is also available to help guide discussion and support social-emotional learning in the classroom or at home.

5. Does the book deal with difficult topics?

Yes. The story includes themes like loss, anger within a home and within oneself, and feeling alone. These topics are handled with care and written in a way that is appropriate and accessible for middle-grade readers. The author's intention is for children to recognize their value in the world and feel seen, safe, and unshakably strong.

6. How can I use this book with children?

This book can be read independently or shared aloud, making it a great starting point for meaningful conversations. It works well for discussing emotions, choices, and resilience, and can be paired with the free Activity Pack for guided discussion and social-emotional learning.

7. Where can I get the Activity Pack?

You can download the free Activity Pack directly from this website. It’s designed to support discussion and social-emotional learning in the classroom or at home.