This is so completely and utterly different to anything in the Wonder suite but it is every bit as engaging, gripping and heart-warming. Silas has been raised by his father single-handedly, his mother having died in childbirth. Pa is a bootmaker but has a passion for ‘photography’ – that is the daguerreotype process which he has improved upon to such an extent that his skilful work in creating portraits has almost eclipsed his cobbling trade.
For as long as he
can remember Silas has had the company of Mittenwool. He realises at a very
early age that it is only he who can see, hear and even touch Mittenwool and as
he grows older he realises that his best friend is, in fact, a ghost – and not
the only one that Silas can see.
When three
rough horsemen come in the middle of the night and take Pa away by force, Silas
is left alone with his fear but luckily with Mittenwool for some small comfort.
A strangely marked pony which had been with the kidnappers returns the
following morning, as if as a sign to Silas, who takes control of his fear, and
despite Mittenwool’s stern warnings, the boy follows the trail of his captive
father.
The wild and
often frightening adventure that ensues, crosses wilderness unknown to Silas
and the dubious help of a grizzled old US Marshall, who claims to be hunting
the same gang, is little help to the boy who battles his constant struggle to
keep his emotions in check. Along the way, Silas’ wonderings about his father’s
true history, and thereby his own, becomes overwhelming and he also realises
that whatever the outcome, his journey of discovery is only just beginning.
Silas’ quest
for the truth about his father, his mother and Mittenwool lead him far away
from his childhood home and the narrow confines of his life with his pa. The
revelation of the terrible wrongs against the First Nations people, the sad
history of the soldiers involved in the Mexican Wars and the impending grief of
the Civil War all become part of the fabric of Silas’ journey and shape the
rest of his life.
An
adventure, a tale of love, courage and resilience with some history thrown in filled with memorable characters and dramatic incidents, this will become a
firm favourite with many readers. Those who have quickly become fans of Oddity
(Eli Brown) will certainly be keen as this echoes that same sort of
setting. Although the publisher (and others) suggest ten years upwards, I am
suggesting this for readers a little older as there is no doubt that some of
Silas’ ‘ghostly’ encounters could be quite confronting for some readers.
Author: R J Palacio
Publisher: Penguin, Imprint: Puffin, RRP: $26.99
Date of Publication: September 2021
Format: Hardback
ISBN: 9780141377056
For Ages:10+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
