This book is simply magical. It's one of my "comfort books" that I read when I need to get lost in another time and place. A quick summery would say the book's about a dead guy strapped into a car and driven into a lake, but that's not what's at the heart of this book. It's about childhood and summer dreams, and first loves and special bikes and so much more. In my high school, this book was required reading for all sophomores and I think it was one that nobody really minded reading.

A brilliant, captivating journey, in which the author succeeds in making you as reader one with his main character - 11 year old Cory Mackenson. At times you will hold your breath and wish that if you closed YOUR eyes the bad things would go away and things would be better for Cory... sometimes you will find yourself laughing out loud - unable to stop the joy from bubbling over... and more often than anyone would wish a little kid to, you will feel terrible sadness and pain - as if someone has ripped your heart out of your chest... Such is the power and realism with which this story is told - truly a journey that every boy (and girl) from I'd say about 10 to 100 should experience, by reading... no LIVING through Cory's long, exhausting adventure!

If you have any children of your own, or any children in your life that you care about (young nephews/nieces, cousins, etc) - do them the favour of giving them a copy of this book! ( )

This book opens with Cory Mackenson and his father witnessing a murder made to look like a car accident whilst they are on a milk round. This eventful start though (graphically depicted on the cover of my copy of the book) really does not even begin to hint at the content of this book.

Yes that mystery is key to a greater part of the story, but this book is more a coming of age story than a murder mystery. And it is a very fine example of such a story too.

There is conflict in the story. Some of it is racial conflict, other is just about bullying, and power, and what money can buy you and what it can't. There are good families, unorthodox ones and downright odd ones. There is an eccentric millionaire who likes to walk around without clothes. There are stories of boy's own adventures, magical bicycles and dark plots.

This book cannot really be summed up and placed in a single category. It works on so many levels, but it really does work. I enjoyed it very much, and would have no hesitation in recommending it. It made me yearn for a slice of American life I never had and now perhaps no longer exists. ( )

Outstanding coming-of-age story with supernatural overtones. Set in the mid-1960's. Cory and his father witness a car accident that changes their lives and their small Alabama town forever. This is McCammon at his best. ( )

On page two, I knew I was going to love this book. My current "real" surroundings started to get blurry around the edges and Cory's room started taking its place. I don't ever remember being captivated so quickly by any book!