The Season of Styx Malone, by Kekla Magoon

(Paperback, 304 pages, first published in 2018)

Meet Caleb and Bobby Gene, two brothers embarking on a madcap, heartwarming, one-thing-leads-to-another adventure in which friendships are forged, loyalties are tested . . . and miracles just might happen.

Caleb Franklin and his big brother Bobby Gene are excited to have adventures in the woods behind their house. But Caleb dreams of venturing beyond their ordinary small town.

Then Caleb and Bobby Gene meet new neighbor Styx Malone. Styx is sixteen and oozes cool. Styx promises the brothers that together, the three of them can pull off the Great Escalator Trade—exchanging one small thing for something better until they achieve their wildest dream. But as the trades get bigger, the brothers soon find themselves in over their heads. Styx has secrets—secrets so big they could ruin everything.

Redeemed Reader Cautions: "This book includes "language (three uses of the d-word, one string of profanity at a moment of intense stress that can be interpreted as a prayer) [and] character issues (disobedience and risk-taking, both of which are dealt with)." See Redeemed Reader's full review here.

Recommended Age: 12-15