Robert Cormier's simplest book tackles his major theme, evil, with an easy story suitable for readers younger than his usual audience. The brevity of the story helps intensify its impact on readers.

Does the Devil walk among us? Mr. Hairston has no supernatural powers; he is just an ordinary man--manipulative and nasty and bigoted, to be sure, but not in any epic fashion. And Henry is certainly no angel or saint. He is just a good kid. But isn't the corruption of good by offering irresistible rewards what the buying of souls is all about?

When Henry insists that he crashes the mallet down on the model village only because he sees a rat on the model, the reader can't be sure if a rat was really there or if Henry merely uses that excuse to justify his action. By refusing Mr. Hairston's rewards Henry redeems himself, and eventually moves beyond even that. He asks God for forgiveness, but also asks God to forgive Mr. Hairston. He makes his own monument for his brother's grave out of a bat and a baseball, and decides to help Mr. Hairston's daughter.

This beautifully written novel will give you and your children a lot to think and talk about. It is short enough that it doesn't intimidate most reluctant readers, and tells a story compelling enough to interest adults. It's an excellent introduction to Cormier's longer and more difficult works. Those who enjoy it may be better able to understand The Chocolate War and its sequel, Beyond the Chocolate War.