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Not yet taggedSynopsis
From the New York Times bestselling author of When Crickets Cry and The Water Keeper comes a story of self-discovery, healing, and h ope: When paramedics find a malnourished six-year-old boy near a burning car that holds a dead woman, they wonder who he is--and why he won't speak. On a stifling summer day, an old Chevy Impala ignored the warning signals and was annihilated by the oncoming train. What no one realized until much later was that the driver had paused just before entering the tracks and kicked a small boy out of the car. A small boy with broken glasses who is clutching a notebook with all his might . . . but who never speaks. Chase Walker was one of the lucky ones. He was in foster care as a child but finally ended up with a family who loved and cared for him. Now, as a journalist for the local paper, he's moved on and put the past behind him. But when he's assigned the story of this young boy, painful, haunting questions about his own childhood begin to rise to the surface. And as Chase Walker discovers, learning the truth about who you are can be as elusive--and as magical--as chasing fireflies on a summer night. Chasing Fireflies is an emotional, powerful story of family, finding your place in the world, and healing. "Martin understands the power of story and he uses it to alter the souls and lives of both his characters and his readers . . ." --Patti Callahan Henry | "Colorful, memorable characters; Southern regional flavor that's drop-dead accurate; and lyrical, intelligent writing make Chasing Fireflies an exceptionally good read." -- Aspiring Retail
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Is Chasing Fireflies: A novel of healing and hope appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 13 and up.
This emotional story deals with child abuse, abandonment, and foster care themes through a journalist's investigation into a traumatized boy's past. Content includes discussion of neglect and a death scene but handles sensitive topics with care and hope.
What to know going in
This book has mild violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include child abuse, child harm, death, and grief (see the full list above).
Publisher ages reflect reading level; our rating reflects content maturity — they can differ.
Who'll love this
Readers who appreciate emotional, character-driven stories about overcoming difficult pasts will find this moving tale of healing and family meaningful.