The Night Children

Late yesterday I finished reading Kit Reed's new book "The Night Children." It is a classic page-turner and I enjoyed the story. Without divulging too much, I feel that Lance is an important character like the Lone Ranger, who appears on the scene right when you need him, and then disappears just as quickly when the job is done. Opposing what Lance stands for is the main villain, Amos Zozz, a cross between the Phantom of the Opera and Darth Vader, and equally as sinister. Isabella, his daughter, is also a powerful character and represents Zozzco and its reclusive founder to a "T." Between them, they wreak havoc on Castertown through their giant Megamall. Caught in the middle are the Night Children, who rise above their personal tragedies to make a difference. They include the main characters, Jule and Tick, as well as others like Mag and Doakie, whom the author fleshes out very well. They show surprising unity when the chips are down and create a microcosm that most adults would do well to imitate. With all the mysterious disappearances and other strange happenings at the Megamall, I wondered why an investigative reporter hadn't snooped around, but then this is a children's novel and some complexities are best left alone. Plus the fact that the people of Castertown were being drugged, as well as being paid very high wages, helps one to understand their greedy complacency. The novel's language is target age appropriate and its plot is well developed. I look forward to a sequel. Rev. Dennis J. Mercieri

People come from around the world to spend time at the Castertown MegaMall. Rich and poor they all flock to this premier wonder of the modern world. When last call occurs, zillions of people vacate the premises heading mostly to nearby hotels so they can easily return to shop until they drop. However, at closing not everyone leaves. Tonight sitting in a car at the top of the internationally acclaimed WhirlyFunride is local junior high school student Jule Deveraux following a fight with her guardian Aunt Christy over misplacing her cell phone; the next morning her only known living relative was gone without leaving a note. Knowing what happens to unsupervised teen orphans, the feisty thirteen years old hides in the mall for now. However, she is not alone as the Castertown MegaMall contains residents of the night. Two rival gangs consisting of abandoned and runaway teens, tweeners and even younger children battle for mall supremacy. The Castertown Crazies headed by Tick Stiles fight with the Dingos led by Burt Arno. Neither chieftain nor the newcomer they each want to join their side understands the real war is to begin. Castertown MegaMall owner Amos Zozz resents these young rats living and abusing his facility; extermination and youthful cleansing are coming military style to THE NIGHT CHILDREN; there hope to survive depends on a loner who belongs to no one. This is an exciting middle school thriller that hooks the audience from the moment the confused Jule meets the two rival gang leaders and learns the eyes of the kids are upon the unaware visitors. The story line is fast-paced from the onset yet provides moral insight into the social issue of what to do about unsupervised young that is summed up by a key secondary character who says: "Because you can't treat people like that". Kit Reed provides a strong parable of the richest society being so indifferent that they ignore the plights of the poor unless it negatively affects the bottom line. Harriet Klausner