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The Gray
The Gray is a sensitively told middle grade story from Chris Baron about living with anxiety and finding ways to cope.
It’s been a tough year for Sasha—he’s been bullied at his middle school and his anxiety, which he calls the Gray, is growing. Sasha’s dad tells him to “toughen up”—and he does, but with unfortunate, hurtful results. His parents and therapist agree that a summer in the country with his aunt might be the best medicine, but it’s the last place he wants to be. He'll be away from his best friend, video games, and stuck in the house that reminds him of his beloved uncle who died two years earlier.
His aunt is supportive, and there are lots of places to explore, and even some potential new friends. When Sasha is introduced at a local ranch to a horse coincidentally--incredibly--nicknamed the Gray, he feels he's found a kindred spirit.
But his own Gray is ever-present. When one of his new friends disappears, Sasha discovers that the country is wilder and more mysterious than he imagined. He tries to muster enough courage to help in the search . . . but will the Gray hold him back?
It’s been a tough year for Sasha—he’s been bullied at his middle school and his anxiety, which he calls the Gray, is growing. Sasha’s dad tells him to “toughen up”—and he does, but with unfortunate, hurtful results. His parents and therapist agree that a summer in the country with his aunt might be the best medicine, but it’s the last place he wants to be. He'll be away from his best friend, video games, and stuck in the house that reminds him of his beloved uncle who died two years earlier.
His aunt is supportive, and there are lots of places to explore, and even some potential new friends. When Sasha is introduced at a local ranch to a horse coincidentally--incredibly--nicknamed the Gray, he feels he's found a kindred spirit.
But his own Gray is ever-present. When one of his new friends disappears, Sasha discovers that the country is wilder and more mysterious than he imagined. He tries to muster enough courage to help in the search . . . but will the Gray hold him back?
299 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2023
9 people are currently reading
590 people want to read
About the author
Chris Baron
9 books163 followersChris Baron is the award winning author of Novels for Children including ALL OF ME, an NCTE Notable Book, THE MAGICAL IMPERFECT a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book/ a SLJ Best Book of 2021 & the forthcoming novels, THE GRAY a ProjectLIT 23-24 Selection and SPARK from Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, and SECRET OF THE DRAGON GEMS, a Middle Grade novel co-authored with Rajani LaRocca from Little Bee Books, and editor of ON ALL OTHER NIGHTS: A MIDDLE GRADE PASSOVER ANTHOLOGY, from Abrams (24), He is a Professor of English at San Diego City College and the director of the Writing Center. He grew up in New York City, but he completed his MFA in Poetry in 1998 at SDSU. HE lives in San Diego with his family. He is represented by Rena Rossner from the Deborah Harris Literary Agency.
Twitter: @baronchrisbaron
Instagram: @christhebearbaron
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 22, 2023
The Gray bravely addresses the mental health topic of generalized anxiety and panic attacks, along with bullying, screen time, and video games. Importantly, it showcases the power of kindness, acceptance, and that change can be a gradual process. I appreciate this frank and honest acknowledgement that anxiety is something that you have to keep working on, that you live with, that it doesn’t just magically disappear if you ignore it or try to "tough it out."
Sasha, Ivy, Eli, Boon, Aunt Ruthie, and all the rest of the cast are fully-realized characters. The prose is sharp and concise, with no wasted words. It is no surprise, given the author, that the diction is poetic and I found myself pleasantly re-reading many phrases to twist the words on my tongue and better savor them. The chapter endings tug at you to read the next because of the emotional investment, pulling you through the story.
Chris Baron has such a terrific middle grade voice, while also subtly peppering in real life lessons from which kids will inevitably learn. For example, he teaches techniques to deal with anxious moments that I’ve learned too, like identifying something with every sense and the box breathing technique.
I admire the bravery of the author to be vulnerable and supportive as in the acknowledgements of his own battles with anxiety and others’ expectations of how he should have dealt with it as a kid.
This is one of those books that I wish had existed when I was a child and I heartily recommend it to all.
Just a few samples I enjoyed:
“I don’t think Aunt Ruthie will understand how kids hang out these days.”
“I want to do something, but the way forward suddenly opens onto a path of infinite choices”
“It’s the slow change, the trickle of water, that matters most. We can’t always see it, but little by little, that water is slowly changing the surface of the impossible stone.”
“it felt like a good place to be: not perfect but headed in the direction of getting better.”
Sasha, Ivy, Eli, Boon, Aunt Ruthie, and all the rest of the cast are fully-realized characters. The prose is sharp and concise, with no wasted words. It is no surprise, given the author, that the diction is poetic and I found myself pleasantly re-reading many phrases to twist the words on my tongue and better savor them. The chapter endings tug at you to read the next because of the emotional investment, pulling you through the story.
Chris Baron has such a terrific middle grade voice, while also subtly peppering in real life lessons from which kids will inevitably learn. For example, he teaches techniques to deal with anxious moments that I’ve learned too, like identifying something with every sense and the box breathing technique.
I admire the bravery of the author to be vulnerable and supportive as in the acknowledgements of his own battles with anxiety and others’ expectations of how he should have dealt with it as a kid.
This is one of those books that I wish had existed when I was a child and I heartily recommend it to all.
Just a few samples I enjoyed:
“I don’t think Aunt Ruthie will understand how kids hang out these days.”
“I want to do something, but the way forward suddenly opens onto a path of infinite choices”
“It’s the slow change, the trickle of water, that matters most. We can’t always see it, but little by little, that water is slowly changing the surface of the impossible stone.”
“it felt like a good place to be: not perfect but headed in the direction of getting better.”
Read
August 5, 2023THE GRAY was one of my most anticipated books of 2023, but I needed to wait until I was in the right headspace to read it because books that focus on anxiety can be triggering for me. I knew I was in excellent hands with this author, though, as his writing about tough topics is honest, sensitive, and heartfelt. After a difficult school year of bullying and overwhelm, Sasha’s parents want him to regroup by disconnecting from his phone and video games. They send him to stay with his aunt in the country for the summer, but The Gray, one way Sasha experiences anxiety, follows him. Not only is Sasha faced with the absence of his uncle, who passed away a couple of years ago, but he makes an enemy of one of the local kids and faces more bullying. Fortunately, Sasha also makes new friendships, including with a horse named Duke and a boy facing his own inner struggles. He also discovers Krav Maga, which gives him new coping strategies for his emotions. Sasha’s supportive network accepts him for who he is, which also helps him learn to accept himself.
I most enjoyed how the author vividly describes Sasha’s experiences with anxiety and the practical tips he shares and reiterates throughout the story. Whether or not a reader has experienced something like The Gray, they will walk away from this book with a better understanding and empathy for those who do, which is a priceless gift to those of us who struggle with anxiety and how others see it.
This book deserves all the buzz and praise it’s received, and I highly recommend you add it to your TBR lists, classrooms and libraries.
I most enjoyed how the author vividly describes Sasha’s experiences with anxiety and the practical tips he shares and reiterates throughout the story. Whether or not a reader has experienced something like The Gray, they will walk away from this book with a better understanding and empathy for those who do, which is a priceless gift to those of us who struggle with anxiety and how others see it.
This book deserves all the buzz and praise it’s received, and I highly recommend you add it to your TBR lists, classrooms and libraries.
June 29, 2023
Absolutely loved this one.
As a 4/5th grade teacher, I’ve seen an increase in the number of students with anxiety. With the help of characters experiencing anxiety in middle grade novels, my students are becoming more wiling to discuss their experiences, and I’m so grateful to have Sasha and his “gray” as an example.
Sasha’s story touches on bullying, anxiety, guilt, family, and friendships. It also gives readers coping mechanisms for dealing with “the gray” as well as highlights the real struggles our children have with dependency on devices.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
My favorite lines:
Pages 32/33: “Our family is tough, and you are part of that family. It’s just that toughness doesn’t always look the same for everybody.”
Page 115: “But slow change is still change.”
Page 137, on improving: “To me, it felt like a good place to be: not perfect, but headed in the direction of getting better.”
Page 228: “How you are in this moment doesn’t define you. It’s where you go from here that makes the difference.”
Page 268: “Isn’t that what magic is? Isn’t magic just ordinary things being extraordinary?”
As a 4/5th grade teacher, I’ve seen an increase in the number of students with anxiety. With the help of characters experiencing anxiety in middle grade novels, my students are becoming more wiling to discuss their experiences, and I’m so grateful to have Sasha and his “gray” as an example.
Sasha’s story touches on bullying, anxiety, guilt, family, and friendships. It also gives readers coping mechanisms for dealing with “the gray” as well as highlights the real struggles our children have with dependency on devices.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
My favorite lines:
Pages 32/33: “Our family is tough, and you are part of that family. It’s just that toughness doesn’t always look the same for everybody.”
Page 115: “But slow change is still change.”
Page 137, on improving: “To me, it felt like a good place to be: not perfect, but headed in the direction of getting better.”
Page 228: “How you are in this moment doesn’t define you. It’s where you go from here that makes the difference.”
Page 268: “Isn’t that what magic is? Isn’t magic just ordinary things being extraordinary?”
January 18, 2023
“Everything feels swallowed up in The Gray.”
🐴
Sasha is having an exceptionally hard year: losing friends, being bullied and feeling like his anxiety is taking over his life. After Sasha fights back against one of his bullies at school, his parents decide to send him to the country to stay with his aunt for the summer. Time away from electronics and video games might be just what the doctor ordered. However Sasha still gets bullied in this new town too. He also makes a new friend, Ivy, and befriends a loner, Eli, who is struggling with his own demons. Once Sasha starts taking Krav Maga, helping out in the stables and learning more about his anxiety and the fog he goes into called The Gray, he’s able to learn how to handle it better.
🐴
What a beautiful MG story that I wish I’d had growing up. Like his Author’s Note states those of us who grew up in the 80s didn’t get mental health help. Just a “toughen up” speech like Sasha gets from his dad at the beginning of the book. I’m so glad books like this exist in the world today and that mental health awareness is growing, especially since the pandemic. We should be talking about mental health as much as we talk about physical health with our children. This amazing novel releases June 13. Preorder it now!
CW: vomit, anxiety attacks, child abuse (mentioned), death of a grandparent (off page), bullying
🐴
Sasha is having an exceptionally hard year: losing friends, being bullied and feeling like his anxiety is taking over his life. After Sasha fights back against one of his bullies at school, his parents decide to send him to the country to stay with his aunt for the summer. Time away from electronics and video games might be just what the doctor ordered. However Sasha still gets bullied in this new town too. He also makes a new friend, Ivy, and befriends a loner, Eli, who is struggling with his own demons. Once Sasha starts taking Krav Maga, helping out in the stables and learning more about his anxiety and the fog he goes into called The Gray, he’s able to learn how to handle it better.
🐴
What a beautiful MG story that I wish I’d had growing up. Like his Author’s Note states those of us who grew up in the 80s didn’t get mental health help. Just a “toughen up” speech like Sasha gets from his dad at the beginning of the book. I’m so glad books like this exist in the world today and that mental health awareness is growing, especially since the pandemic. We should be talking about mental health as much as we talk about physical health with our children. This amazing novel releases June 13. Preorder it now!
CW: vomit, anxiety attacks, child abuse (mentioned), death of a grandparent (off page), bullying
January 19, 2023
The Gray is a beautiful story about a young boy suffering from severe anxiety. This book will help readers understand what anxiety can be like and also provide strategies for kids who struggle and also for family and friends of people who suffer from anxiety. This book also shows the power of disconnecting from technology and reconnecting with nature.
Sasha has had a really tough time in life lately and his family sends him to live with his aunt for some of the summer in order to disconnect from technology and hopefully get his anxiety under control. This is pretty difficult, as Sasha doesn't have friends near his aunt's home, or much to do. He quickly realizes he can revisit special places he used to love, and he quickly befriends some local kids who are equally misunderstood.
I highly recommend this fabulous book to all readers, MG and beyond!
Sasha has had a really tough time in life lately and his family sends him to live with his aunt for some of the summer in order to disconnect from technology and hopefully get his anxiety under control. This is pretty difficult, as Sasha doesn't have friends near his aunt's home, or much to do. He quickly realizes he can revisit special places he used to love, and he quickly befriends some local kids who are equally misunderstood.
I highly recommend this fabulous book to all readers, MG and beyond!
January 6, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is an excellent middle grade book and I think adults would enjoy this book too. It's very relatable to anyone who has anxiety. I like that the author involves animals, mainly horses, in Sasha's journey to understanding his anxiety. The bullies were portrayed well and shows a side of them that is hurting.
Great book.
This is an excellent middle grade book and I think adults would enjoy this book too. It's very relatable to anyone who has anxiety. I like that the author involves animals, mainly horses, in Sasha's journey to understanding his anxiety. The bullies were portrayed well and shows a side of them that is hurting.
Great book.
December 27, 2022
As someone who struggles with anxiety, this beautifully descriptive read really hit home. There are so many wonderful layers to Sasha's story that that it's a MUST read for 2023! Chris Baron has done it again!
March 3, 2024
Sasha has extreme anxiety. His Dad tells him to be tough, his mom is worried, so worried they take the Doctor advice to send him to his Great Aunt for the summer away from video games and most technology. At his Aunt he meets a host of characters some bully him enough he hires a body guard to protect him. He doesn’t want a repeat from school where he hurt someone when he stuck up for himself. Can he make friends with his bodyguard? Can he live without technology? Can he put his anxiety behind him to help his bodyguard when he needs him? So many question and only Sasha can answer those questions.
I felt this was a great representation of anxiety disorder. I suffer greatly from anxiety since I was a child as Sasha I was told to toughen up, if only it was that easy!! I thought the book spoke words on anxiety disorder. If you have a child who suffers from anxiety disorder this book would be wonderful for them to read it!! Great read!!!!!
I felt this was a great representation of anxiety disorder. I suffer greatly from anxiety since I was a child as Sasha I was told to toughen up, if only it was that easy!! I thought the book spoke words on anxiety disorder. If you have a child who suffers from anxiety disorder this book would be wonderful for them to read it!! Great read!!!!!
July 27, 2025
Such a strong and well written book about experiencing anxiety and how it feels to go through it.
I recommend this book to anyone, if you struggle wilt anxiety you will feel recognizing, and if you don’t struggle with anxiety you get a glimpse of how it can feel for someone and what you can do when you see it.
READ THIS!
I recommend this book to anyone, if you struggle wilt anxiety you will feel recognizing, and if you don’t struggle with anxiety you get a glimpse of how it can feel for someone and what you can do when you see it.
READ THIS!
December 7, 2022
ARC recieved from NetGalley.
When Sasha becomes overwhelmed by his anxiety his mind takes him to a place he refers to as "The Gray". Sasha's parents become overwhelmed themselves after an incident at school and send him to stay in country with his Aunt Ruthie for a mostly technology free stay before he begins the eighth grade in the fall.
After a bullying incident with a group of kids at the closed Camp Akiva, Sasha offers to pay Eli to be his bodyguard. Slowly, Eli opens up to a friendship with Sasha where the two begin working with the horses at a nearby ranch, taking lessons in Krav Maga at the Temple Aday Shalom and morning trips to go fishing. When Eli doesn't make it home the community must rally together to find them and the local teens must overcome their differences to assist in the search.
I loved that this middle grade book approaches the topic of anxiety and the connection to overuse of technology. Students who have anxiety will appreciate the tips for coming down from a panic attack. I also liked that after the first few chapters the focus became more about relationships between teenagers, bullying and the power of letting people see your inner self.
When Sasha becomes overwhelmed by his anxiety his mind takes him to a place he refers to as "The Gray". Sasha's parents become overwhelmed themselves after an incident at school and send him to stay in country with his Aunt Ruthie for a mostly technology free stay before he begins the eighth grade in the fall.
After a bullying incident with a group of kids at the closed Camp Akiva, Sasha offers to pay Eli to be his bodyguard. Slowly, Eli opens up to a friendship with Sasha where the two begin working with the horses at a nearby ranch, taking lessons in Krav Maga at the Temple Aday Shalom and morning trips to go fishing. When Eli doesn't make it home the community must rally together to find them and the local teens must overcome their differences to assist in the search.
I loved that this middle grade book approaches the topic of anxiety and the connection to overuse of technology. Students who have anxiety will appreciate the tips for coming down from a panic attack. I also liked that after the first few chapters the focus became more about relationships between teenagers, bullying and the power of letting people see your inner self.
March 20, 2025
Such an important and approachable novel that deals with anxiety in such a masterful way. Love the setting and all the animals and nature elements!!
May 29, 2023
Chris Baron has done it again! He has written a deeply moving story about characters who tug at reader's heartstrings. Sasha, the protagonist, is one many our middle grade readers can connect with. Life is full of twists, turns, and unknowns. He falls into the Gray, a place where he can disappear into. His anxiety causes many life changes, and slowly he begins to open himself up to these changes. Readers meet Eli, Ivy, and other characters who struggle with friendship, their past, and learning to cope in uncertainty. This book is perfect for educators seeking some books to support the social emotional learning of our students. Even though Baron has so eloquently descried the Gray, as a reader I am left feeling hopeful knowing despite the heavy feelings our characters have everything is going to be ok with the power of family, friendship, and community. Thank you to Net Galley for the early read!
June 20, 2023
As someone living with generalized anxiety, I loved seeing it sensitively portrayed in a middle-grade novel, especially one with a male protagonist. I received an ARC at TLA, and I really enjoyed this book about the healing power of animals and nature and the need to destigmatize mental health issues.
March 21, 2024
It was my FAVORITE book it including horses in it. I feel like it went by super fast and I read it in only a very days. It was sooooo good I might read it agian in the future.
January 4, 2023
The Gray is a powerful and engaging story that touches meaningfully on bullying, anxiety, guilt, bravery, the concept/expectation of “being tough”, the worry involved in living up to parental expectations, what it’s like to miss and honor someone’s memory, the power of friendship, intergenerational relationships, and community, and the significance of both connections with animals and nature, as well as the power of movement as “medicine”. There is so much to love about this story, its characters, and its messages. Not only is there much to simply enjoy as you turn the pages, but there is also much to sit with/ponder and learn from. I love that it also shares techniques Sasha uses to deal with anxiety in enough detail that someone might be able to jump right in and try a strategy themselves in a time when they might find it can help them.
This story is special, and I can’t wait to share it with other readers.
(So glad I was able to read this early via a Netgalley and publisher provided eARC!)
This story is special, and I can’t wait to share it with other readers.
(So glad I was able to read this early via a Netgalley and publisher provided eARC!)
June 14, 2023
Who among us has not felt anxious? Anxiety can present itself as large or small. It appears regardless of your age. In Chris Baron’s title, The Gray, released today, soon to be eighth grader Sasha is experiencing a form of anxiety which can bloom into panic. His senses are super-charged and his vision of the world changes. Colors fade and are replaced with gray, like a world filled with shadow.
After a bullying episode at school in which he exploded due to students overwhelming him, his parents and doctor believe he needs to take a break from the city and all technical devices except his phone. He will be spending a month in the country with his Aunt Ruth, who he has not seen in two years since his uncle’s memorial service. His Uncle Lou was a soulmate. They moved together in a similar rhythm. (There is no Wi-Fi at his aunt’s home.)
As the days pass at his aunt’s home, he slowly adjusts to life in the country, the nearby lake, former camp, forest, the horse ranch, and The Stone of Power. The local gals and guys his age harbor secrets about a past event. Sasha learns bullies can be everywhere we go, but so are those waiting to be our friends. Courage comes when it is needed the most.
Author Chris Baron writes exquisite scenes about Sasha’s anxiety. HIs descriptions of place allow us to take the summer journey with Sasha. The conversations and situations between family and friends are heartachingly true to life. There will be times when you have to pause, you are so moved. This is a memorable and gentle book with short chapters for those with anxiety and for others to understand how agonizing it can be. I highly recommend it for those with children of all ages in their lives. The author’s note and acknowledgments at the end are a must read.
After a bullying episode at school in which he exploded due to students overwhelming him, his parents and doctor believe he needs to take a break from the city and all technical devices except his phone. He will be spending a month in the country with his Aunt Ruth, who he has not seen in two years since his uncle’s memorial service. His Uncle Lou was a soulmate. They moved together in a similar rhythm. (There is no Wi-Fi at his aunt’s home.)
As the days pass at his aunt’s home, he slowly adjusts to life in the country, the nearby lake, former camp, forest, the horse ranch, and The Stone of Power. The local gals and guys his age harbor secrets about a past event. Sasha learns bullies can be everywhere we go, but so are those waiting to be our friends. Courage comes when it is needed the most.
Author Chris Baron writes exquisite scenes about Sasha’s anxiety. HIs descriptions of place allow us to take the summer journey with Sasha. The conversations and situations between family and friends are heartachingly true to life. There will be times when you have to pause, you are so moved. This is a memorable and gentle book with short chapters for those with anxiety and for others to understand how agonizing it can be. I highly recommend it for those with children of all ages in their lives. The author’s note and acknowledgments at the end are a must read.
June 1, 2023
Thirteen-year-old Sasha is no stranger to anxiety, but his feelings have amplified since the death of his Uncle Lou two years ago. Now, Sasha’s anxieties have become personified into a landscape he refers to as the Gray, and even his beloved video games are not enough to keep the Gray at bay. Since therapy, breathing techniques, and medication have only partially helped, Sasha’s parents have decided to send him to his Aunt Ruthie’s house for a month, where Sasha will be forced to live without the everpresent pull of technology. What begins as a summer of deprivation transitions slowly, like water wearing down a rock, into one where Sasha becomes more connected to—and accepting of—who he truly is.
Anyone who has suffered from anxiety or panic attacks will immediately empathize with Sasha and his struggles. When the outside world is too close or too overwhelming, the Gray appears, and all of Sasha’s carefully practiced techniques escape him. Myriad details of Sasha’s surroundings flow through the narrative, amplifying the intensity with which Sasha experiences the world. Sights, sounds, and smells are mentioned with particular frequency, and these become especially rich as Sasha spends more time in the small town where his aunt resides. Short chapters and compelling storytelling keep the narrative flowing smoothly while making the book particularly accessible to middle grade readers.
Sasha is Jewish, and elements of his culture and heritage are interwoven into the novel. From Yiddish language to Jewish foods to Krav Maga, readers will find themselves immersed in Sasha’s world no matter their own backgrounds. Bullying is a pervasive element of this novel as well, and several intense moments bring Sasha’s anxieties to the forefront of readers’ minds. As readers experience Sasha’s transformative summer alongside him, they not only observe some of the effects anxiety can have, but also the tangible techniques Sasha uses to mollify his anxious feelings when they arise. Both readers experiencing anxiety themselves and those who know others in this situation will come away from this novel with a better understanding of anxiety and several tools they can use to lend support to themselves and others. This is a powerful and meaningful addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
Anyone who has suffered from anxiety or panic attacks will immediately empathize with Sasha and his struggles. When the outside world is too close or too overwhelming, the Gray appears, and all of Sasha’s carefully practiced techniques escape him. Myriad details of Sasha’s surroundings flow through the narrative, amplifying the intensity with which Sasha experiences the world. Sights, sounds, and smells are mentioned with particular frequency, and these become especially rich as Sasha spends more time in the small town where his aunt resides. Short chapters and compelling storytelling keep the narrative flowing smoothly while making the book particularly accessible to middle grade readers.
Sasha is Jewish, and elements of his culture and heritage are interwoven into the novel. From Yiddish language to Jewish foods to Krav Maga, readers will find themselves immersed in Sasha’s world no matter their own backgrounds. Bullying is a pervasive element of this novel as well, and several intense moments bring Sasha’s anxieties to the forefront of readers’ minds. As readers experience Sasha’s transformative summer alongside him, they not only observe some of the effects anxiety can have, but also the tangible techniques Sasha uses to mollify his anxious feelings when they arise. Both readers experiencing anxiety themselves and those who know others in this situation will come away from this novel with a better understanding of anxiety and several tools they can use to lend support to themselves and others. This is a powerful and meaningful addition to library collections for middle grade readers.
August 13, 2023
2 1/2 stars.
A quiet, friendly story about an anxious boy whose parents send him to an aunt in the country to unplug and reset. There is lots of friend drama, some encounters with managing bullies, plenty of idealized nature and some insights into becoming comfortable and confident in the slow potency of incremental change.
What detracted from the story? This is a very first person narration heavy account. We are told a lot. Dialog is occasionally clunky and unbelievable -
“Tommy’s gone now. After it all happened, the police did a big investigation, and later on they arrested Tommy! But everyone still steers clear of Eli.”
Also there is some discontinuity that diminishes believability. Near the end in a pivotal scene Sasha saddles a horse. He comments twice that the saddle may be too loose. He also struggles with his mount (the horse is big) and winds up mounting from a saw horse. Loose saddles always slip, especially on the mount and when an inexperienced rider trots. Both those things happen, but the saddle never slips. Chekov’s rule has been violated. Also, as mentioned, Sasha can’t mount at the start, but after long ride, when his legs are tired (we are told twice) he can. Later he and his friends are on horseback and then a line later hiking without ever dismounting or dealing with the horses. Where they wind up is a ridiculously unbelievable location - a shallow cave behind a waterfall that has a presumably dry floor pleasant to sit on and have a picnic where it is easy to hear each other and chat. Absolutely spaces behind waterfalls are awesome but anyone who has ever been lucky enough to find them knows they are always damp and really noisy. All these little violations of reality undermine readers faith in the honesty of the author. If reality is so conveniently elided it is hard to have faith in the emotional resolutions.
Fundamentally this feels like an under-edited book from a talented writer.
A quiet, friendly story about an anxious boy whose parents send him to an aunt in the country to unplug and reset. There is lots of friend drama, some encounters with managing bullies, plenty of idealized nature and some insights into becoming comfortable and confident in the slow potency of incremental change.
What detracted from the story? This is a very first person narration heavy account. We are told a lot. Dialog is occasionally clunky and unbelievable -
“Tommy’s gone now. After it all happened, the police did a big investigation, and later on they arrested Tommy! But everyone still steers clear of Eli.”
Also there is some discontinuity that diminishes believability. Near the end in a pivotal scene Sasha saddles a horse. He comments twice that the saddle may be too loose. He also struggles with his mount (the horse is big) and winds up mounting from a saw horse. Loose saddles always slip, especially on the mount and when an inexperienced rider trots. Both those things happen, but the saddle never slips. Chekov’s rule has been violated. Also, as mentioned, Sasha can’t mount at the start, but after long ride, when his legs are tired (we are told twice) he can. Later he and his friends are on horseback and then a line later hiking without ever dismounting or dealing with the horses. Where they wind up is a ridiculously unbelievable location - a shallow cave behind a waterfall that has a presumably dry floor pleasant to sit on and have a picnic where it is easy to hear each other and chat. Absolutely spaces behind waterfalls are awesome but anyone who has ever been lucky enough to find them knows they are always damp and really noisy. All these little violations of reality undermine readers faith in the honesty of the author. If reality is so conveniently elided it is hard to have faith in the emotional resolutions.
Fundamentally this feels like an under-edited book from a talented writer.
June 11, 2023
Truly fantastic portrayal of a boy learning to cope with his own anxiety, while discovering his strengths and making connections with both nature and people. I love the way each character's story unfolds slowly, building empathy even for those who behave badly. Also a great reminder to put down our devices and experience nature. This is a story of courage, of kindness, and community, beautifully written and highly relatable. Recommended for grades 4-8.
February 20, 2023
*I received a free digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley*
I read this rather quickly while traveling, but I really felt for Sasha and the emotional and mental turmoil he experienced. I loved his good heart and it felt like the friendships he developed were authentic. A tough topic but a good middle grade read.
I read this rather quickly while traveling, but I really felt for Sasha and the emotional and mental turmoil he experienced. I loved his good heart and it felt like the friendships he developed were authentic. A tough topic but a good middle grade read.
March 10, 2023
E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus
Sasha has been struggling with anxiety and with other kids in his class at school, and after an incident when he hurt someone who was giving him a hard time, his parents think that therapy and medication are not enough. He needs a break from screens, and a change of scenery, so they decide to send him to live with his Aunt Ruthie for the summer. Her husband, Sasha's favorite uncle, has died, and Sasha's parents would like her to leave her small, rural community and come live near them in the city. Ruthie has an active life near the closed Camp Akiva where she used to work, and still gives some dancing lessons to neighbor children like green haired Ivy. She encourages Sasha to get outside, and he meets a group of kids, including Ivy, at the abandoned camp. Unfortunately, his nerves get the best of him, and he ends up throwing up on the shoes of Boon, the local bully, who vows vengeance. He is saved by Eli, who is very quiet but has a history that has led the other children to leave him alone. Eventually, Sasha engages Eli to be his "bodyguard" and spends more time at Eli's family farm. Sasha's anxiety and depression sometimes descend upon him in very significant ways, and make the world around him seem to receed; he calls these episodes "the gray". His uncle suffered from them as well, so his aunt understands and is able to help. There is a horse Sasha would like to ride who is coincidentally called "the gray", but after being thrown, it's hard for him to get back up. His aunt enrolls him in a Krav Maga class. Ivy becomes friends with him, and claims that Boon and the rest are the only people in town to hang around, hence her involvement with them. Sasha learns a little about Eli's problems with his family, and after the two spend some time together, Eli confides in Sasha himself. Will getting away from screens and being outdoors with other people his own age help Sasha to deal with his mental health challenges?
Strengths: There are a lot of good details about how Sasha deals with his anxiety. His diagnosis is "heightened sensitivity with social anxiety", he has a doctor whom he sees, and he practices a lot of coping strategies like box breathing and 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique. His aunt is a fun yet understanding character, and I'm glad that she is portrayed as having a full life of her own. The abandoned camp is a good touch, and reminded me of Matson's new The Firefly Summer. I imagine there are a lot of abandoned camps in the US, now that most parents don't necessarily get their children away from all of their screens! Sasha's parents are also very understanding and want the best for him.
Weaknesses: The issues with Eli were important but seemed like a bit much to add to a story where a lot was already going on. Younger readers won't quite understand what happened to his brother.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like this author's other books(The Magical Imperfect and All of Me), LeGrand's Some Kind of Happiness or Haydu's One Jar of Magic.
Sasha has been struggling with anxiety and with other kids in his class at school, and after an incident when he hurt someone who was giving him a hard time, his parents think that therapy and medication are not enough. He needs a break from screens, and a change of scenery, so they decide to send him to live with his Aunt Ruthie for the summer. Her husband, Sasha's favorite uncle, has died, and Sasha's parents would like her to leave her small, rural community and come live near them in the city. Ruthie has an active life near the closed Camp Akiva where she used to work, and still gives some dancing lessons to neighbor children like green haired Ivy. She encourages Sasha to get outside, and he meets a group of kids, including Ivy, at the abandoned camp. Unfortunately, his nerves get the best of him, and he ends up throwing up on the shoes of Boon, the local bully, who vows vengeance. He is saved by Eli, who is very quiet but has a history that has led the other children to leave him alone. Eventually, Sasha engages Eli to be his "bodyguard" and spends more time at Eli's family farm. Sasha's anxiety and depression sometimes descend upon him in very significant ways, and make the world around him seem to receed; he calls these episodes "the gray". His uncle suffered from them as well, so his aunt understands and is able to help. There is a horse Sasha would like to ride who is coincidentally called "the gray", but after being thrown, it's hard for him to get back up. His aunt enrolls him in a Krav Maga class. Ivy becomes friends with him, and claims that Boon and the rest are the only people in town to hang around, hence her involvement with them. Sasha learns a little about Eli's problems with his family, and after the two spend some time together, Eli confides in Sasha himself. Will getting away from screens and being outdoors with other people his own age help Sasha to deal with his mental health challenges?
Strengths: There are a lot of good details about how Sasha deals with his anxiety. His diagnosis is "heightened sensitivity with social anxiety", he has a doctor whom he sees, and he practices a lot of coping strategies like box breathing and 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique. His aunt is a fun yet understanding character, and I'm glad that she is portrayed as having a full life of her own. The abandoned camp is a good touch, and reminded me of Matson's new The Firefly Summer. I imagine there are a lot of abandoned camps in the US, now that most parents don't necessarily get their children away from all of their screens! Sasha's parents are also very understanding and want the best for him.
Weaknesses: The issues with Eli were important but seemed like a bit much to add to a story where a lot was already going on. Younger readers won't quite understand what happened to his brother.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like this author's other books(The Magical Imperfect and All of Me), LeGrand's Some Kind of Happiness or Haydu's One Jar of Magic.
May 15, 2023
The Gray by Chris Barron (Feiwel & Friends, June 2023) tells the story of a young teenager with anxiety that experiences panic attacks. During his forced device-free vacation in the country with his aunt, Sasha finds his own confidence. His trip into the country becomes one of self-discovery as he makes new friends and faces unique challenges that he would never have encountered in the city.
Thirteen-year-old Sasha wanted to spend his summer before eighth grade playing video games with his friend. His video gaming worlds have more defined boundaries and rules than real life does. In real life, Sasha faces anxiety. When he has an anxiety-induced panic attack, Sasha feels out of control. His view of the world changes as his heart speeds up. He calls these anxious moments “The Gray,” and he finds them embarrassing to deal with. I’ve gone through similar panic attacks, and understanding other people’s challenges like these are essential. I’m glad there are books to let middle grade readers peek into such moments in order to get a better understanding of mental illness in general, and especially to recognize and help those around them.
As he meets new people, Sasha comes to recognize that everyone else also has their own issues. Eli is a teen dealing with his own difficulties, including similar anxiety, and Ivy is a confident girl who wants to find her own place outside of the small town in which she lives. Boon acts like a bully, but misses his best friend. My favorite dynamic in this book is that Sasha also finds a closeness with his beloved Uncle Lou, who died two years previously; Aunt Ruthie tells Sasha about Lou’s own anxiety and panic attacks, and Sasha gains confidence to face “The Gray” with Uncle Lou’s strength in mind.
Sasha’s story was enjoyable and will certainly be enjoyed by middle grade readers (especially those who love nature), but it was not one that I loved. Although I liked Sasha and I could relate to some aspects of dealing with anxiety, his transformation did not resonate with me as much as I expected it too. His transition from gamer to nature lover felt too sudden, from the beginning to the end, or maybe he just wasn’t developed enough for me to like more. True, Sasha found confidence, learned new skills, and did hard things he did not do. He realized that being outside sometimes was better than just video gaming. But these realizations felt superficial to me.
Note: I received a digital review copy of The Gray.
Thirteen-year-old Sasha wanted to spend his summer before eighth grade playing video games with his friend. His video gaming worlds have more defined boundaries and rules than real life does. In real life, Sasha faces anxiety. When he has an anxiety-induced panic attack, Sasha feels out of control. His view of the world changes as his heart speeds up. He calls these anxious moments “The Gray,” and he finds them embarrassing to deal with. I’ve gone through similar panic attacks, and understanding other people’s challenges like these are essential. I’m glad there are books to let middle grade readers peek into such moments in order to get a better understanding of mental illness in general, and especially to recognize and help those around them.
As he meets new people, Sasha comes to recognize that everyone else also has their own issues. Eli is a teen dealing with his own difficulties, including similar anxiety, and Ivy is a confident girl who wants to find her own place outside of the small town in which she lives. Boon acts like a bully, but misses his best friend. My favorite dynamic in this book is that Sasha also finds a closeness with his beloved Uncle Lou, who died two years previously; Aunt Ruthie tells Sasha about Lou’s own anxiety and panic attacks, and Sasha gains confidence to face “The Gray” with Uncle Lou’s strength in mind.
Sasha’s story was enjoyable and will certainly be enjoyed by middle grade readers (especially those who love nature), but it was not one that I loved. Although I liked Sasha and I could relate to some aspects of dealing with anxiety, his transformation did not resonate with me as much as I expected it too. His transition from gamer to nature lover felt too sudden, from the beginning to the end, or maybe he just wasn’t developed enough for me to like more. True, Sasha found confidence, learned new skills, and did hard things he did not do. He realized that being outside sometimes was better than just video gaming. But these realizations felt superficial to me.
Note: I received a digital review copy of The Gray.
July 23, 2023
This is one of the best books I've read this year: a stunning realistic novel that seamlessly weaves together stories of struggle, healing, and the importance of giving people a chance.
Baron meticulously and vividly describes Sasha's experiences with the Gray, the anxiety that grips hold of him, making him helpless when under its grasp. Sasha knows techniques to deal with the Gray (including box breathing, one of my own favorites), and models how to use them in periods of immense stress. The mental health aspects of this novel are written with great sensitivity, realism, and power. It should help anyone feel empathy and respect for kids (and adults) like Sasha and his uncle who struggle with anything like the Gray.
Much of the story follows Sasha as he tries to believes that he can change, grow, become stronger, and deal with the Gray without it constantly overpowering him. But that's not the only story. We have Ruthie, his aunt, to whose house in the countryside he's sent to recover—and to try to convince her to leave her beloved nature-rich small town to live with Sasha's family in New York City. She's a marvelous character, a supportive adult, and a great role model with a lot of wisdom to share. There's also Eli, whose story is the other major plot. A mystery regarding a fight he had with another boy surround him, and there are hints that Eli—feared by all the other town kids—wasn't in the wrong. Sasha gives him a chance—in part, because he's looking for a bodyguard against town bullies—but the connections between these two outcasts is also clear. And Eli, once we get to know him, is a noble kid, and a powerful friend.
The horses are another high point of the story. Each one has a name and a distinct personality, and Sasha connects with them in multiple ways. They are a crucial part of two big plots, and essential to Sasha's journey. The healing nature of horses is on clear display here, and will delight any fan of horses, as well as teach those who unfamiliar with horse and human friendships.
There are a few of fights in this novel, but Baron doesn't glorify fighting as a means to achieve an end. Far better is understanding, listening, and giving people a chance. This utterly beautiful novel shares a positive message of change being possible, no matter where you are, and will keep young readers (and adults) utterly engrossed. A book that very much belongs in every classroom.
Baron meticulously and vividly describes Sasha's experiences with the Gray, the anxiety that grips hold of him, making him helpless when under its grasp. Sasha knows techniques to deal with the Gray (including box breathing, one of my own favorites), and models how to use them in periods of immense stress. The mental health aspects of this novel are written with great sensitivity, realism, and power. It should help anyone feel empathy and respect for kids (and adults) like Sasha and his uncle who struggle with anything like the Gray.
Much of the story follows Sasha as he tries to believes that he can change, grow, become stronger, and deal with the Gray without it constantly overpowering him. But that's not the only story. We have Ruthie, his aunt, to whose house in the countryside he's sent to recover—and to try to convince her to leave her beloved nature-rich small town to live with Sasha's family in New York City. She's a marvelous character, a supportive adult, and a great role model with a lot of wisdom to share. There's also Eli, whose story is the other major plot. A mystery regarding a fight he had with another boy surround him, and there are hints that Eli—feared by all the other town kids—wasn't in the wrong. Sasha gives him a chance—in part, because he's looking for a bodyguard against town bullies—but the connections between these two outcasts is also clear. And Eli, once we get to know him, is a noble kid, and a powerful friend.
The horses are another high point of the story. Each one has a name and a distinct personality, and Sasha connects with them in multiple ways. They are a crucial part of two big plots, and essential to Sasha's journey. The healing nature of horses is on clear display here, and will delight any fan of horses, as well as teach those who unfamiliar with horse and human friendships.
There are a few of fights in this novel, but Baron doesn't glorify fighting as a means to achieve an end. Far better is understanding, listening, and giving people a chance. This utterly beautiful novel shares a positive message of change being possible, no matter where you are, and will keep young readers (and adults) utterly engrossed. A book that very much belongs in every classroom.
June 5, 2023
After 13-year-old Sasha accidentally hurts someone while defending himself against school bullies and his therapist suggests that his video-game habit is exacerbating his anxiety, Sasha reluctantly agrees to a monthlong summer visit with Aunt Ruthie in upstate New York.
Ruthie lives near the shuttered, overgrown Jewish summer camp she operated with her husband, Sasha’s beloved Uncle Lou, who died two years earlier. The wifi isn’t reliable, but Sasha finds plenty of other interesting things to fill his days. Along with the supposedly haunted camp to explore, there’s a vast forest for wandering, a cow-dotted pasture (with one scary bull for evading), a lake for fishing, a pond for frog-catching and, within walking distance, a town for ice cream and martial arts lessons. There are new friends to get to know, including a stable of horses at a nearby ranch.
But, no matter where you go, there seem to be folks eager to belittle anyone perceived as a little different. So, there also are bullies.
“The gray” is the thing that’s a bit different about Sasha. It’s the place he goes—or that takes him?—during his frequent and serious panic attacks. This is a sensitive and realistic portrait of serious adolescent anxiety. Sasha does his best to deal with it—remembering most of the time to take his new medicine and practicing the breathing and grounding techniques he’s learned in therapy. The scenes in the gray are visceral and even a bit frightening...but they’re also ethereal and magical, especially as Sasha—with help from Ruthie and his new friends—begins to understand that there are lots of folks like him, who are sensitive enough to perceive, as Uncle Lou used to call it, “worlds within worlds.” Could Sasha’s anxiety also be a gift?
Sasha’s new appreciation for the natural world, his unexpected love for the horses, and his growing relationships with new friends and enemies filled my heart and made me eager to get outside.
Disclaimer: I only review books that I finished and enjoyed. I received a free Advanced Readers Copy of this book from the publisher for my unbiased opinion.
Ruthie lives near the shuttered, overgrown Jewish summer camp she operated with her husband, Sasha’s beloved Uncle Lou, who died two years earlier. The wifi isn’t reliable, but Sasha finds plenty of other interesting things to fill his days. Along with the supposedly haunted camp to explore, there’s a vast forest for wandering, a cow-dotted pasture (with one scary bull for evading), a lake for fishing, a pond for frog-catching and, within walking distance, a town for ice cream and martial arts lessons. There are new friends to get to know, including a stable of horses at a nearby ranch.
But, no matter where you go, there seem to be folks eager to belittle anyone perceived as a little different. So, there also are bullies.
“The gray” is the thing that’s a bit different about Sasha. It’s the place he goes—or that takes him?—during his frequent and serious panic attacks. This is a sensitive and realistic portrait of serious adolescent anxiety. Sasha does his best to deal with it—remembering most of the time to take his new medicine and practicing the breathing and grounding techniques he’s learned in therapy. The scenes in the gray are visceral and even a bit frightening...but they’re also ethereal and magical, especially as Sasha—with help from Ruthie and his new friends—begins to understand that there are lots of folks like him, who are sensitive enough to perceive, as Uncle Lou used to call it, “worlds within worlds.” Could Sasha’s anxiety also be a gift?
Sasha’s new appreciation for the natural world, his unexpected love for the horses, and his growing relationships with new friends and enemies filled my heart and made me eager to get outside.
Disclaimer: I only review books that I finished and enjoyed. I received a free Advanced Readers Copy of this book from the publisher for my unbiased opinion.
July 8, 2023
This new book by Chris Baron is marketed for ages 10-14 yet I believe adults and young adults can benefit by reading it as well, for both personal reasons and to learn from a story (a character) they may recognize. A young middle-grader, Sasha, is struggling in school with anxiety issues. He loses his best friend, ends up being bullied by that friend in the friend's new group, and strikes out with his only weapon, a textbook, causing a serious injury. That doesn't end well for Sasha at school and with classmates. He is anxious and trying hard with help from a therapist to overcome what he calls "the gray". Chris Baron's words show the feeling so well that I wanted to read faster to be sure Sasha would work it all out.
As people who have anxiety issues, I imagine they will recognize some of the descriptions and perhaps want to add more of their own personal ones. Sasha has an aunt to lives in a remote area, in a cabin in the woods near a small town. His therapist and parents believe it would be helpful for him to go there for the summer, to be away from the constant video game-playing that makes him feel safe, in his room, on the computer, with one friend. He hates going, and doesn't feel comfortable without that lifeline online! But he goes, and that is the real story that Chris Baron shows readers so well.
Sasha has more challenges and meets some who are also bullies, and some who slowly become friends. There are heartfelt scenes and those that bring anxious moments. Aunt Ruthie's brief words and good food are part of it, as is a pond with frogs, a large stone, and most of all, for readers, really listening to Sasha's thoughts. He shows us through his descriptions how 'The Gray" works within him. some reasons why, sometimes it's rather sly. Hasn't everyone experienced a moment where some event triggers an emotion and we wonder "Where did that come from?" There are many layers of growing up in Baron's story and it's one that should not be missed!
As people who have anxiety issues, I imagine they will recognize some of the descriptions and perhaps want to add more of their own personal ones. Sasha has an aunt to lives in a remote area, in a cabin in the woods near a small town. His therapist and parents believe it would be helpful for him to go there for the summer, to be away from the constant video game-playing that makes him feel safe, in his room, on the computer, with one friend. He hates going, and doesn't feel comfortable without that lifeline online! But he goes, and that is the real story that Chris Baron shows readers so well.
Sasha has more challenges and meets some who are also bullies, and some who slowly become friends. There are heartfelt scenes and those that bring anxious moments. Aunt Ruthie's brief words and good food are part of it, as is a pond with frogs, a large stone, and most of all, for readers, really listening to Sasha's thoughts. He shows us through his descriptions how 'The Gray" works within him. some reasons why, sometimes it's rather sly. Hasn't everyone experienced a moment where some event triggers an emotion and we wonder "Where did that come from?" There are many layers of growing up in Baron's story and it's one that should not be missed!
Read
June 28, 2023Sasha struggles with anxiety. He even has a name for it - the Gray. It describes the cloudy, misty emotional and physical feelings he gets when it overtakes him. The end result is often a sort of collapse, sometimes vomiting, and sometimes a rage which causes him to strike out. The day Jeremy bullied Sasha for the last time was the day Sasha used his algebra textbook to bash Jeremy in the face. It was also the day Sasha's parents decided to send him to stay with his aunt for a month.
Sasha remembers visits to his aunt's in the past. Her house is in the woods. There will be plenty of space and time to explore and hopefully escape the Gray. His therapist believes leaving video games and internet surfing behind for a month will reduce the stress and therefore reduce the Gray.
If only his uncle was there to help Sasha adjust. He knows his uncle also experienced the Gray, but now he's dead. Sasha will have to make do with remembered stories, the remains of wildlife carvings scattered by his uncle throughout the garden and surrounding woods. Visiting favorite spots also give Sasha a bit of comfort.
When his aunt arranges for Sasha to work at a local farm, he discovers the horses, especially one named Duke, help him relax. He also meets Eli. They work together and a tense friendship develops. It seems Sasha is not the only one struggling with inner demons. Will spending time away from the life he knows in the city help Sasha tame the Gray? Can he change in a way that will give his parents confidence that he can return home better able to handle life's stresses?
Author Chris Baron takes on anxiety and depression in this unique tale. Sasha's detailed description of what he feels when the Gray takes hold may help readers understand and relate to the anxiety felt by many. Baron also includes details of how Sasha uses breathing techniques and visualizations to calm his anxious feelings.
Sasha remembers visits to his aunt's in the past. Her house is in the woods. There will be plenty of space and time to explore and hopefully escape the Gray. His therapist believes leaving video games and internet surfing behind for a month will reduce the stress and therefore reduce the Gray.
If only his uncle was there to help Sasha adjust. He knows his uncle also experienced the Gray, but now he's dead. Sasha will have to make do with remembered stories, the remains of wildlife carvings scattered by his uncle throughout the garden and surrounding woods. Visiting favorite spots also give Sasha a bit of comfort.
When his aunt arranges for Sasha to work at a local farm, he discovers the horses, especially one named Duke, help him relax. He also meets Eli. They work together and a tense friendship develops. It seems Sasha is not the only one struggling with inner demons. Will spending time away from the life he knows in the city help Sasha tame the Gray? Can he change in a way that will give his parents confidence that he can return home better able to handle life's stresses?
Author Chris Baron takes on anxiety and depression in this unique tale. Sasha's detailed description of what he feels when the Gray takes hold may help readers understand and relate to the anxiety felt by many. Baron also includes details of how Sasha uses breathing techniques and visualizations to calm his anxious feelings.
September 10, 2023
If Middle School isn’t tough enough, Sasha also suffers from a condition that can, at times, get him into trouble. At first, Sasha seems to be a typical albeit shy middle schooler preoccupied with video games and texting his friend; however, we immediately learn that Sasha suffers extreme anxiety, which he tries to cope with through playing Earthfordge and watching YouTube videos for hours on end. This means of 'escape through technology' is not working, however. When Sasha is overwhelmed by anxiety, he goes to “the gray”, a place where he zones out and can hurt those around him. It is when Sasha enters “the gray” at school and beats a bully that his parents decide to take away all of his technology and send him to stay with his aunt out in the country. Sasha loves his aunt and does have fond memories of visiting his aunt and uncle until his uncle died two years ago. But his mom says his aunt “will look after [him] if [he’s] having a hard time,” and maybe he could “watch over her too”.
Throughout his visit, Sasha encounters several people, some of whom will become close friends and confidants and others who are just like the bullies he left at school. Through these encounters, Sasha learns that others around him encounter heart-wrenching life events that cause anxiety in them as well. Can he remember to manage his own “gray” while helping those he has begun to care for?
It is a wonderful novel that deals with anxiety in youth honestly and straightforwardly. Its characters are interesting and relatable, and it possesses many moments of suspense that propel the plot. A great addition to any middle schoolers' reading list!!
Throughout his visit, Sasha encounters several people, some of whom will become close friends and confidants and others who are just like the bullies he left at school. Through these encounters, Sasha learns that others around him encounter heart-wrenching life events that cause anxiety in them as well. Can he remember to manage his own “gray” while helping those he has begun to care for?
It is a wonderful novel that deals with anxiety in youth honestly and straightforwardly. Its characters are interesting and relatable, and it possesses many moments of suspense that propel the plot. A great addition to any middle schoolers' reading list!!
Read
June 12, 2023I’m so excited to FINALLY get to read a book by Chris Baron. I’ve heard so many positive things, and I actually think I have his other books, but this is the first I’ve read.
From the beginning, I definitely felt pulled into Sasha’s story and his anxiety symptoms. Some members of his family are super supportive, and he has a friend who has his back. But he has other relationships that are really challenging.
I loved the descriptions of his aunt’s home and property and the surrounding area. It sounded so green and peaceful (except for the ghosts!) and I loved the relationships he formed with other kids.
For Sasha, his anxiety manifests in kind of a physical way– in which his vision goes gray and foggy. Those descriptions made what he experienced so tangible. I liked that it kind of threw a veil between him and what was happening around him and made it clear what happened as he surfaced from that space.
I also loved the connection between him and his uncle. Even though he’d passed away, his memories of his uncle and the stories he shared helped Sasha see himself in a new, more positive way. They helped him feel less alone, too. So cool.
All in all, this is definitely a book I’d recommend not only for kids with anxiety but for anyone who’s felt alone or gone through painful changes in friendships.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.
From the beginning, I definitely felt pulled into Sasha’s story and his anxiety symptoms. Some members of his family are super supportive, and he has a friend who has his back. But he has other relationships that are really challenging.
I loved the descriptions of his aunt’s home and property and the surrounding area. It sounded so green and peaceful (except for the ghosts!) and I loved the relationships he formed with other kids.
For Sasha, his anxiety manifests in kind of a physical way– in which his vision goes gray and foggy. Those descriptions made what he experienced so tangible. I liked that it kind of threw a veil between him and what was happening around him and made it clear what happened as he surfaced from that space.
I also loved the connection between him and his uncle. Even though he’d passed away, his memories of his uncle and the stories he shared helped Sasha see himself in a new, more positive way. They helped him feel less alone, too. So cool.
All in all, this is definitely a book I’d recommend not only for kids with anxiety but for anyone who’s felt alone or gone through painful changes in friendships.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions my own.
September 4, 2024
This book was recommended as a "While you are Waiting," for my middle grade novel Blue to the Sky, a story about a girl struggling with multiple food allergies and as a result, a fear of public speaking. I like to read the recommended stories as when writers submit novels now, publishers want comparables. I want to know what the algorithms think are comparable. Plus I just love to read middle grade.
The Gray is about Sasha suffering from dark moods and being prescribed a month at his aunt's house, away from technology. This plot line interested me as I know a couple of my neurodiverse grands are perhaps over-frequently on their devices. Hard to banish these addictive little boxes as kids communicate with their peers and create extraordinary videos and drawings on them.
I also liked how nature acted as a balm to Sasha, something I am also exploring in outings with my grands. Fiction is fiction but in this case the story feeds into the feelings I have.
So is The Gray comparable? My character Ella is extremely anxious too but her platform of escape is poetry. The conclusion I draw as a parent and grandparent is that kids need a passion, be it a sport or an art form, gardening, hiking--something to take them away from their looping thoughts. Come to think of it, adults do too. Reading could be one passion that can help them--one that increases their attention span.
The Gray is about Sasha suffering from dark moods and being prescribed a month at his aunt's house, away from technology. This plot line interested me as I know a couple of my neurodiverse grands are perhaps over-frequently on their devices. Hard to banish these addictive little boxes as kids communicate with their peers and create extraordinary videos and drawings on them.
I also liked how nature acted as a balm to Sasha, something I am also exploring in outings with my grands. Fiction is fiction but in this case the story feeds into the feelings I have.
So is The Gray comparable? My character Ella is extremely anxious too but her platform of escape is poetry. The conclusion I draw as a parent and grandparent is that kids need a passion, be it a sport or an art form, gardening, hiking--something to take them away from their looping thoughts. Come to think of it, adults do too. Reading could be one passion that can help them--one that increases their attention span.
March 21, 2023
Had the pleasure of immersing myself in an e-ARC of this wonderful book.
The voice is so real for middle grade and not complex to scare off reluctant readers, either. It's interesting to read about anxiety from a kid's point-of-view, and I know so many middle schoolers will benefit from this book either because they see a bit of the main character Sasha in themselves or others they know. The exploration of several characters dealing with different types of grief will also help readers to learn compassion towards others as well as the importance of family and friends.
The plot and characters were lovely. You get to learn why everyone in the town is the way they are, even the bullies, and can't help but root for everyone in the end. Jewish traditions, food and stories were mentioned, but not to push religion. Using the story of Akiva and the stone to highlight Sasha's character arc was masterful. I love the new friends Sasha made, all without use of technology. And how what he learns about his uncle, aunt and the friends around him during the summer ultimately impacts his relationship with his parents.
The voice is so real for middle grade and not complex to scare off reluctant readers, either. It's interesting to read about anxiety from a kid's point-of-view, and I know so many middle schoolers will benefit from this book either because they see a bit of the main character Sasha in themselves or others they know. The exploration of several characters dealing with different types of grief will also help readers to learn compassion towards others as well as the importance of family and friends.
The plot and characters were lovely. You get to learn why everyone in the town is the way they are, even the bullies, and can't help but root for everyone in the end. Jewish traditions, food and stories were mentioned, but not to push religion. Using the story of Akiva and the stone to highlight Sasha's character arc was masterful. I love the new friends Sasha made, all without use of technology. And how what he learns about his uncle, aunt and the friends around him during the summer ultimately impacts his relationship with his parents.
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