Parents' Guide to The Way Back

Parents need to know that The Way Back, by Gavriel Savit (Anna and the Swallow Man), is a rich, complex, irony-drenched, dark fantasy tale steeped in Jewish folklore. Demons, monsters, rotting corpses and armies of the undead wreak havoc among humans whenever they can. Pitted against them is the holy Rebbe (or rabbi), who hovers protectively over his little world, comes to the rescue of those in distress, offers life-changing advice to seekers -- and who the demons and other evil beings would love to turn to the dark side. Then there's Death, who's just out there doing his job until, in the process of carrying off a young teen's grandmother, he loses an important tool of his trade -- and soon isn't the only one trying to retrieve it. In the general disorder that follows, another teen's father is killed before his time, and the kid is determined to make Death give him back. Characters make deals with demons to advance their quests and often pay a heavy price (one costs a kid an eye). A teen breaks another's nose in a fistfight. There are lots of scenes with graveyards, bones, restless souls, and creepy situations. The spooky story leaves no doubt that dark, dangerous forces are afoot in the world and often get their way, but love, family, friendship -- and a willingness to heed wise words -- serve young, often rash heroes well.