This is the kind of book that separates kids who want their stories sanitized from kids who are ready to get a little weird—and that's a good thing. Klassen's gothic folktale respects young readers enough to give them shadows, ambiguity, and a skull as a sympathetic character.

The story works because it's genuinely atmospheric without tipping into nightmare fuel. Otilla's bravery feels earned, and the friendship between girl and skull is oddly touching. The unanswered questions (what's she fleeing? what threatens them nightly?) are features, not bugs—they invite kids to think critically about storytelling and metaphor.

It's not for every kid. Sensitive souls might need reassurance, and some parents will find the whole thing too dark for bedtime. But for families raising curious, resilient readers who can handle a little mystery and mood? This is a gem. The literary quality is there, the 4.7 Amazon rating backs it up, and it's the kind of book kids remember years later.