4 stars Eleven-year-old Sebby lives in a dilapidated house in a devastated town. A company owned by his father’s old high school chum, is strip-mining nearly the entire town, buying people’s homes that get in the way. Nearly everyone has left including Sebby’s older brother Jed who took o... more

4 stars Eleven-year-old Sebby lives in a dilapidated house in a devastated town. A company owned by his father’s old high school chum, is strip-mining nearly the entire town, buying people’s homes that get in the way. Nearly everyone has left including Sebby’s older brother Jed who took off one day without saying where he was going. Even when Jed phones, he refuses to say where he has gone or what he is doing. Then Sebby’s father disappears after a night of heavy drinking. In addition, his mother’s chickens have all flown the coop, but to where? Amidst all of this craziness, Sebby finds the Hole in the Wall, an Eden-like oasis in the minefields. It has a cave perfect for getting away from his bickering family. Oddly, the cave flashes colors that are visible only with a pair of Mr. Odum’s old glasses Sebby “found” while looking through the man’s old shed. Sebby thinks the strip-mining is the culprit that is causing all the awful and strange occurrences happening to the town and his family. With his twin sister’s help, Sebby goes on an adventure he never would have imagined in his wildest dreams. The Hole in the Wall is one of those strange stories that feels like it could really happen. There is the bad guy who is spoiling the earth in this town and the people who are being harmed, but do not realize it or refuse to believe. Then there is Sebby, one lone person who searches for the truth (though he does finally get some help from his twin sister Barbie). The family dynamics are realistic and at times gut wrenching. I really liked this story for the realism mixed in with the fantasy. I think there are two themes in the plot: man’s savaging the Earth and families coming together despite how dysfunctional they may seem. Written for the middle grades, The Hole in the Wall is slow to start but then begins to make more sense. With the initial meandering, reluctant readers will get bored, lost, confused and ditch the book. But, kids who like to read will enjoy this story. Received from publisher.