I read Christopher Wayland’s book, Crossing The Meadow, in an afternoon, partly because it’s short, but also because it’s an intriguing story. I think both kids and adults will enjoy it.
A young boy, about to start 5th grade, is bullied by two other boys who force him one night to walk the long way through the bog at the back of the boy’s house, without a light. The boy is convinced he’s going to die. And his walk is rather harrowing.
There’s more to the story, including the death of the boy’s beloved dog, and a father who is not around much.
I don’t want to give away the ending, but I can tell you I liked the way Chris worked into the story a young girl who was very familiar with the bog.
Having spent a lot of time in bogs, including a large one on my woodlot, I found the boy’s hike to be very fa miliar, although I never walked through my bog at night. Turns out that can be frightening!