Take a real situation and insert a hint of the supernatural. If done right, it's a formula that can be amazing. If you've read Ingrid Law's Savvy you've seen it done right. And the same can be said of Dust. The key here is that the central problems are based in the world as we know it. Avalyn is an outsider in middle school, coping with chronic medical issues and constant bullying. These are standard, relatable issues. So, unfortunately, is abuse. That's a tough topic to introduce in a middle grade book but Bowling does not shy away from the difficult. While the discussion is not explicit it is certainly present. More important than the specifics of the abuse, though, are the emotions associated. We see the trauma of the abused child, of course, but also how the knowledge and sense of helplessness affects Avalyn. This is a cast of characters with complex emotions and depth that serves the plot well.
Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley
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