Kekla Magoon's The Season of Styx Malone offers a charming and adventurous tale about friendship and growing up. The narrative is praised for its engaging plot and relatable characters. Critics laud Magoon's ability to handle complex themes with sensitivity and humor, though some note that the pacing can feel uneven at times. Overall, it is a heartfelt and enjoyable read.

Readers who enjoyed Holes by Louis Sachar or Buds, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis would find The Season of Styx Malone compelling. This coming-of-age tale blends adventure, humor, and heartfelt moments, appealing to middle-grade readers who appreciate stories of friendship and self-discovery.

In The Season of Styx Malone, Caleb Franklin, 10, and his brother Bobby Gene meet Styx Malone, a cool 16-year-old in foster care, who introduces them to an exciting summer of adventures, defying their father's insistence on staying within their town's limits. As they embark on a series of trades aiming for a coveted moped, the boys confront themes of trust, dreams, and recognizing the value of what they have. Explores foster care and themes of personal worth and family.

Adventurous / Heartwarming / Humorous / Bittersweet / Nostalgic

- The novel The Season of Styx Malone received the Coretta Scott King Author Honor in 2019, recognizing outstanding writing by African American authors for children and young adults.
- Kekla Magoon, the author of The Season of Styx Malone, is also known for her work, How It Went Down, which was named a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book in 2015.
- The Season of Styx Malone was inspired by Magoon's own childhood experiences in a small Midwestern town and her observations of ordinary adventures turning extraordinary.

**Caleb Franklin**  
A 10-year-old protagonist who craves adventure and freedom beyond his family's rules, leading him to befriend Styx Malone and explore the limits of ordinary life in Sutton, Indiana.

**Styx Malone**  
A 16-year-old boy with a mysterious past in the foster care system, who introduces Caleb and Bobby Gene to new possibilities and adventures through his charismatic and freedom-loving nature.

**Bobby Gene Franklin**  
Caleb’s 11-year-old brother who balances a desire for adventure with a cautious nature, often trying to keep Caleb grounded while navigating their shared exploits.

**Dad (Bobby Franklin)**  
A father who prefers stability and safety for his family, initially seen through his strict rules but eventually shows a willingness to embrace broader horizons for his sons.

**Cory Cormier**  
An 11-year-old peer who begins as a rival to the Franklin brothers but evolves into a friend, demonstrating complexities in first impressions and character development.

Kekla Magoon

Middle grade

Novel

Fiction

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Chapters 23-33

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Chapters 34-44

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Chapters 45-54

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