I like books that are straightforward and don't talk down to kids, but this book was over the top. As I was reading, I could easily see the intended audience being frightened by the story - so frightened that the ending (that it was all a nightmare) not being enough to easily shake them from their fears. The story takes a fantasy turn when the house and yard "leave him," and that really feels out of place. I doubt that there will be readers interested in re-reading this once they know this is the boy's dream.