Yonder

by Ali Standish

Overview

From Ali Standish, award-winning author of The Ethan I Was Before, August Isle, How to Disappear Completely, and The Mending Summer, comes a captivating historical fiction middle grade novel about a boy on the home front in World War II who must solve the mystery of the disappearance of his best friend. Perfect for fans of Alan Gratz and Lauren Wolk, this riveting adventure explores what true heroism means.

"Multilayered, moving, and tremendously powerful.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Standish’s uplifting mystery tackles big themes of abuse, bullying, heroism, mental health, and prejudice.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A heartfelt tale about what it means to be a hero and take a stand against injustice.”—Booklist (starred review)

Danny Timmons has looked up to Jack Bailey ever since Jack saved two small children from drowning during the Great Flood of 1940. Now, with his father away fighting in World War II and his mother about to have a new baby, Danny relies on Jack’s friendship and guidance more than ever.

So when Jack goes missing without a trace from their small Appalachian town, Danny is determined to find him. He wonders if Jack’s abusive father could be behind his disappearance, or if it has anything to do with Yonder—a hidden magical town Jack once spoke of, where flocks of rainbow birds fly through the sky and they’ve never heard of war. As answers elude him, Danny begins to fear that he didn’t know Jack as well as he thought.

Ultimately, Danny’s investigation forces him to reckon with even larger questions: What is America fighting for in this war? What role do each of us play in stopping injustices, big and small? And is there such thing as a true hero?

A Jane Addams Book Award HONOR BOOK!

A CYBILS AWARD MIDDLE GRADE FINALIST!

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

“Both timely and historical. An exploration of what it means to be brave and do good.” —Tae Keller, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Trap a Tiger 

"A thoughtful, eloquent, and honest examination of prejudice, loyalty, and what it means to be brave." —Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Ground Zero

“A beautiful and important novel that explores what it means to be a hero and the role of each of us to stand up for what’s right.” —Karina Yan Glaser, New York Times bestselling author of The Vanderbeekers series

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062985682
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	05/10/2022
Pages:	368
Sales rank:	136,503
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.30(h) x 1.20(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Ali Standish, author of the critically acclaimed The Ethan I Was Before, August Isle, and Bad Bella, grew up in North Carolina and spent several years as an educator in the Washington, DC, public school system. She has an MFA in children’s writing from Hollins University and an MPhil in children’s literature from the University of Cambridge. She lives in Raleigh with her husband, Aki, and their two rescue dogs, Bella and Keeper. You can visit her online at www.alistandish.com.

Editorial Reviews

★ 03/14/2022

Set in small-town Appalachia during WWII, Standish’s (The Mending Summer) uplifting mystery tackles big themes of abuse, bullying, heroism, mental health, and prejudice. Life has recently felt tumultuous for observant narrator Danny Timmons, 13, who delivers the local newspaper that his mother edits. Danny’s father is fighting in Europe, his mom is expecting a baby, and a longtime friendship has recently changed. And Foggy Gap, N.C., has also had its share of news lately—a Black family forced out of town, another ostracized for their son’s desertion. Danny sees good in courageous 15-year-old Jack, who protects him from the town’s bullies, once saved local twins from a flood, and tells Danny about a magical-sounding place called Yonder. When Jack suddenly goes missing, Danny is determined to find him, no matter the cost. Through an elegant voice and a series of flashbacks, the mystery of Jack’s disappearance unfolds alongside the story of Danny’s friendship with him, the increasing clarity with which Danny sees life as far from perfect, and the small but meaningful steps he takes to discover what bravery means. Most protagonists are white. Ages 8–12. Agent: Chelsea Eberly, Greenhouse Literary. (May)

Publishers Weekly

Both timely and historical. An exploration of what it means to be brave and do good.”  — Tae Keller, Newbery Medal–winning author of When You Trap a Tiger

"What does it mean to be a hero, and when is it all right—necessary, even—to put your own well-being ahead of others? YONDER is a thoughtful, eloquent, and honest examination of prejudice, loyalty, and what it means to be brave. I loved it." — Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of REFUGEE and GROUND ZERO

“A beautiful and important novel that explores what it means to be a hero and the role of each of us to stand up for what’s right. — New York Times bestselling author, Karina Yan Glaser

"Multilayered, moving, and tremendously powerful.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Set in small-town Appalachia during WWII, Standish’s (The Mending Summer) uplifting mystery tackles big themes of abuse, bullying, heroism, mental health, and prejudice…Through an elegant voice and a series of flashbacks, the mystery of Jack’s disappearance unfolds alongside the story of Danny’s friendship with him, the increasing clarity with which Danny sees life as far from perfect, and the small but meaningful steps he takes to discover what bravery means.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A heartfelt tale about what it means to be a hero and take a stand against injustice.” — Booklist (starred review)

"...The story ultimately serves as a sophisticated analogy for the self-serving and simplistic stories perpetuated about the role of the United States in World War II…The concluding message imparts there is no final horizon in the pursuit of peace and justice. Rather, like yonder, it is a direction." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Standish...thoughtfully explores a number of nuanced themes, including friendship, loyalty, prejudice and the horrors of war.” — BookPage

“This is a…powerful story told through flashbacks over the span of several years.” — School Library Journal

From the Publisher

"What does it mean to be a hero, and when is it all right—necessary, even—to put your own well-being ahead of others? YONDER is a thoughtful, eloquent, and honest examination of prejudice, loyalty, and what it means to be brave. I loved it."

Alan Gratz

A beautiful and important novel that explores what it means to be a hero and the role of each of us to stand up for what’s right.

New York Times bestselling author

"...The story ultimately serves as a sophisticated analogy for the self-serving and simplistic stories perpetuated about the role of the United States in World War II…The concluding message imparts there is no final horizon in the pursuit of peace and justice. Rather, like yonder, it is a direction."

Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

A heartfelt tale about what it means to be a hero and take a stand against injustice.

Booklist (starred review)

Both timely and historical. An exploration of what it means to be brave and do good.” 

Tae Keller

07/01/2022

Gr 5 Up—Jack Bailey became a hero to Danny Timmons the day he dove into floodwaters to save two girls while the adults stood by and watched. That was three years ago, but a lot has changed in that time. It's now 1943, and Danny's father is off fighting in the war, his pregnant mother is editing the local newspaper, a Black family has had to move away from town, and another family is being treated badly because of their son's desertion. One thing that hasn't changed is the bullying Danny has faced at the hands of a classmate. When 15-year-old Jack defends Danny, his hero status grows in Danny's eyes, and the two become friends of sorts. They share a paper route, go fishing, and Jack tells Danny of a magical place called Yonder. Then Jack disappears. Danny is determined to find out what happened to him—even if it means putting himself in the sights of Jack's abusive father to do so. Danny's quest to discover what happened to Jack opens his eyes to the bullying and prejudice all around him and make him question what it means to be brave, and what really makes a hero. VERDICT This is a quiet yet powerful, story told through flashbacks over the span of several years. Recommended for general purchase.—Heather Webb

School Library Journal

★ 2022-02-09
Three years ago, Danny Timmons witnessed young Jack Bailey rescue two little girls from floodwaters while adults stood by, too afraid to help.

Now it’s 1943, and Danny is describing his sharp observations of wartime life in the Appalachian town of Foggy Gap. Unlike his hero, Jack, Danny, almost 13 and a victim of persistent, merciless bullying, sees himself as weak and helpless. But Jack has a difficult home life with a damaged, abusive father. Danny’s parents offer Jack, now nearly 16, help and comfort, and he becomes Danny’s friend, mentor, and protector, especially after Danny’s dad goes to war. Jack helps him gain confidence and wistfully shares stories his mother told him about a perfect, peaceful place called Yonder. Danny is devastated when Jack suddenly disappears, and, in trying to find answers, he discovers that Jack has deep-seated fears that cause him to make an irrevocable, life-changing decision. Danny’s perceptions change as he recalls his mother’s insights and wisdom concerning ugly cruelties perpetuated in his town: People are ostracized, tormented, and even driven away through prejudice, hatred, and war-related distortions. Danny carefully guides readers through nonlinear developments utilizing flashbacks, each time viewing events more clearly and deeply. Danny’s narration is direct, with unassuming humility as he matures. His voice is true, strong, loving, and hopeful, and readers will recognize him as a hero in his own right. Most main characters are White.

Multilayered, moving, and tremendously powerful. (author’s note, historical notes, discussion questions) (Historical fiction. 10-16)

Kirkus Reviews