Storm Walker

Gr 4–6—It's been a year since 12-year-old Owen's artist mom died, but he and his dad are still adjusting to the changes. While Owen focuses on his soccer games, his dad, a writer, has been unable to pick up the pen since their loss. When his dad finally starts writing again, Owen is suddenly sucked into the dystopian landscape of his father's futuristic story. By navigating the bleak terrain in his father's realm, Owen hopes he can help his dad heal in the real world. Despite the sentimentality, the plot focuses on action and suspense. The characters are mostly white and male, with somewhat bland personalities. Some readers may find the Briticisms confusing, particularly the sports terminology, but otherwise, this dystopian tale aims at a younger crowd than most in the genre. Although the writing builds up a generous amount of anticipation, the final reveal seems too easy.