A child’s greatest fear may be abandonment or becoming lost. What will I eat or drink? What is hidden in the world that can hurt me? How can I stay warm when the cold comes? Those questions are at the heart of Janisse Ray’s The Woods of Fannin County, and the book is terrifying, yet filled with love and consolation.

We all enjoy an adventurous thriller that keeps us on the edge of our seats, and one that involves young children dealing with extreme adversity can be particularly engaging.