This lyrical meditation on the world of night moves slowly and softly and subtly. Many children will find it dull. But for some it will open their eyes to a part of their own world they may not have noticed or thought about. Don't be surprised to find them slipping out into the yard after dark to experience Lila's magical world.

Setting is everything here: aside from Lila, none of the characters are more than shadows, and there is little action or plot, no great drama or emotional climax. Like the nighttime world, everything is toned down here, quieter, rendered in faded blues and grays. Nothing stands out too much in the night -- even the capital letters are gone. Lila's disease, though explained clearly, is mere pretext for the cool dim setting, and a catalyst for changes that are universal: growing up, sorting fantasy from reality, making and keeping friends, finding one's place in the world.

From the Book
you can see the city lights past the trees at night in my neighborhood. the city glows over the houses and trees. it glows past the grocery stores and wendy's water park on the edge of town. it glows past everything i know ...