Otherwood

Gr 5–7—Stuey Becker lives a comfortable, outdoorsy life in Minnesota with his artist mom and Grandpa Zach, in a rambling house at the edge of Westdale Wood. Family roots run deep in the area: Westdale Wood is set on the overgrown remains of Westdale Country Club, founded by Stuey's great-grandfather, and the scene of Pop's disappearance in the 1930s. Stuey meets Elly Rose, a girl who shares his birthday, and also has a great-grandfather who disappeared. She insists that Stuey's tree-shrouded hideout is her secret discovery: Castle Rose. When Elly disappears, the town is thrown into an uproar, and Stuey is afraid to tell anyone what he knows about it. Hautman plays with time and reality, spitting the story into two narratives, Stuey's and Elly's. The story lines touchingly merge for a satisfying conclusion. The main characters are likable and thoughtfully developed, with intelligence and flashes of humor.