Bone Jack

January 30, 2017
In this haunting debut set in the mountains of England, a teenager trains for an ancient annual tradition while dealing with everyday troubles that include an ex-military father with PTSD and a best friend who’s growing increasingly strange. Thirteen-year-old Ash Tyler is all set to perform as the stag boy in the Stag Chase, a dangerous race that originated as a pagan rite, in which he’ll have to evade the pack of runners chasing him. But as the race approaches, ghosts of races past, wolves appearing where they’ve no right to be, and the manifestation of Bone Jack—a mysterious nature spirit—all hint that something deadly is brewing. Worse, Ash’s friend Mark believes that sacrificing the stag boy is the only way to heal the land and end the drought. As the boundaries between reality and myth blur, British author Crowe crafts a tense, atmospheric tale steeped in folklore, where the setting itself comes alive. It’s a quick but memorable read, and a fascinating take on the power of belief and healing. Ages 10–up. Agent: Joanna Swainson, Hardman & Swainson.