The Light Jar
Scholastic Inc. | ISBN 9781338216318 Paperback
256 Pages | Ages 8 to 12
Scholastic Inc | ISBN 9781338216301 Hardcover
240 Pages | 5.73" x 8.54" | Ages 8 to 12
Scholastic Inc. | ISBN 9781338216325 Ebook
240 Pages | Ages 8 to 12
Available February 26, 2019!
A story of fear and hope, loneliness and friendship, from the author of Goldfish Boy
Nate and his mother are running away. Fleeing from an emotionally abusive situation, they hide out in an abandoned cottage in the middle of a forest. Though it's old and run-down, at least it's a place of their own.
Then Nate's mother heads off for groceries and doesn't return. Has she run into trouble, or simply abandoned him? He is left alone and afraid, with the dark closing in on him.
But comfort can come from the most unexpected of places: like a strange girl trying to solve the mystery of a treasure hunt, and the reappearance of a friend from his past. Will Nate find the bravery he needs to face down his fears, survive on his own, and ultimately illuminate his future?
The Light Jar is a captivating story of fear and hope, loneliness and friendship, and finding the light within, even in the darkest of times.
Raves & reviews:
Praise for The Goldfish Boy:
* "Thompson strikes the perfect balance, seemingly without compromise, between an issue-driven novel and one with broad, commercial appeal. This empathetic debut is a middle-grade whodunit with a very special heart." — Kirkus Reviews, starred review
"A multilayered mystery at once suspenseful and heartrending." — Booklist
"The novel successfully weaves Matthew's personal struggle with obsessive-compulsive disorder and the search for the missing toddler into a compelling story with a hearty dose of mystery and adventure." — School Library Journal
"This book is filled with intriguing characters and tragic, mysterious pasts. Thompson has created a modern teenage tale interwoven with classic literary themes like loss, guilt, neglect, and loneliness. This is a story for everyone, featuring mystery, drama, and enough realism to inspire students to research and understand the complexities of the mind." — School Library Connection
"Heart and humour, along with a strong message about the value of family, friends and facing fears... make this assured debut stand out." — Observer
"Both a genuine mystery and an emotionally charged examination of fear and loneliness, this is a terrific read with warmly engaging characters." — Daily Mail
"This carefully judged, poignant story should help those with OCD feel less alone — and help others to understand the impulses behind painful acts of repetition." — Guardian
"A genuinely clever mystery." — Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series
"A great cast of characters and an intriguing mystery — I loved it!" — Ross Welford, author of Time Travelling with a Hamster