A Review of the Book "Otherwood" by Pete Hautman

Title: Otherwood
Author: Pete Hautman
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Year: 2018
303 pages

A couple of years ago, our oldest child received "Otherwood" as a birthday gift, maybe Christmas, I don't completely recall. In any case, the moment she finished reading it, she insisted that we also read it. It may have taken us a couple of years to get around to reading the book, it was well worth the wait.

"Otherwood" is a well-written young readers book (ages 9-12) containing many themes - grief, memories, how the past affects the future, the preservation of nature, the existence of multiple universes, and ghosts. I am not kidding, all of those themes exist in this book!

The main character is a boy named Stuey. His best friend had moved away and so he spent a lot of time with his Grandpa Zach. They talked about everything from quantum physics and multiple universes to the ghosts that lived in the forest on the old family golf course. When Stuey met Elly Rose, his life changed completely and with the discovery of a family secret, Stuey's life gets turned upside down.

"Otherwood" is a page-turner, with just enough creepiness, emotional attachment, and cliff-hangers to make it hard to put down. While it is aimed at children aged 9-12, I recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with an incredible twisted ending.