A thoughtful verse novel about a child facing an unwanted move and gradually finding steadiness. Its imaginary-friend narrator gives Ray’s worries a distinct voice while the story broadens towards kindness, refuge and understanding others.
Ray resists leaving his village, school and friends, then gradually settles after the family moves.FavourableFavourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.Favourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.
How the book presents it: The story presents coping with change as difficult but possible, with Ray’s adjustment unfolding over time rather than instantly.
Talk about: What helps Ray begin to manage feelings about the move, and whether might those supports work for someone else?
Imaginary friendship and inner feelings
Ray creates Jacob, who listens, watches and narrates the story as Ray faces distress.FavourableFavourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.Favourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.
How the book presents it: Jacob is portrayed as a supportive mechanism for expressing and witnessing Ray’s feelings, rather than as a way to change the family’s decision.
Talk about: What can Jacob do for Ray, and what remains outside Jacob’s control?
Empathy towards unfamiliar circumstances
Ray meets a homeless man while running away and later encounters a Ukrainian woman and her son, who receive help from his family.FavourableFavourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.Favourable: the book presents this theme approvingly or positively.
How the book presents it: The book presents this favourably.
Talk about: How does Ray respond when someone else’s needs are different from his own, and whether does his understanding change?
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
It may suit shared reading when a child is interested in feelings, change or imaginary companions. The verse structure and illustrations offer opportunities to pause over Ray’s emotions and how his responses to others develop.
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What Deserves Attention
The story includes strong distress about leaving home, running away, a homeless man, and a Ukrainian mother and son seeking refuge in the context of the war in Ukraine. The treatment is described as gentle, but these elements may still merit preparation.
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A Conversation Worth Having
How does Jacob help Ray express fears that are difficult to manage, and what changes when Ray meets people whose circumstances are unfamiliar to him? If your child has experienced upheaval, ask which parts feel reassuring or difficult.
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Reading Approach
Read in short sections, allowing time to discuss the verse and illustrations. Before the later refugee storyline, check whether your child wants context or a pause; afterwards, explore how uncertainty and kindness coexist.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Coping with change: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Imaginary friendship and inner feelings: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Empathy towards unfamiliar circumstances: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
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