This was one of my favorite books when I was young--I remember it was one of the books I checked out at the great old town library on my own. Around the same time I also got Island of the Blue Dolphins. Both of them rocked my world and really stayed with me, and I think maybe even shaped me at that age. I just started reading it with my kids. It is not for the faint of heart--it starts with the boy being afraid of his imminent death.

We just read it as a family. My kids loved it. I read one review that said it can be hard for parents, and I think this is true. The story STARTS with the difficult topic of the death of children. And yes, the idea of what happens after death is fantasy-like, but it is not just pretty and it gives rise to some good discussion. I like that it just jumps right in.

Also, it is very Euro/Scandanavian in terms of feelings--which can also be tough for Americans. For instance, the characters can be frank in what I would think of as self-deprecation, but I think they see as honesty.

Great romping adventure story in the afterlife! Hard to beat that!