This book is different from most everything I've read before. Parts of it felt familiar, but I found myself caught up in the main character's- Oscar's- story. As he struggles to understand who he is and his place in the "grand scheme", I also found myself wondering about what he would learn..., and I had very strong feelings about what the outcome might be. 
 Other than the very believable characters, my favorite parts of this book were more related to the author's craft and purpose. Ursu has a lovely way with words-- the language of this book is rich with sensory description and "turns of phrase" that captivate the reader. They made me think of how I might do some things to make my own writing stronger. The other selling points for me were the themes: things like living a life of gratitude, being grateful for what you have, and the power of true friendship are just a few of the ideas woven throughout the book. 
 I loved this story, and believe that many of my students will as well!