"I liked this book much more than I expected, and it really wasn't about what I thought it would be about. It's not a comic-book story. It's definitely a Stephen King story. King did a nice job of telegraphing the ending, so the reader doesn't have inappropriate expectations that would lead to disappointment.

Having worked with thousands of kids, I felt like these characters were real, the kids as well as the ""teachers."" Our world is full of cruelty, and it takes a tribe to stand up to that. Stronger together.

My only struggle with the characterization is Avery. It's hard to believe that a kid with that level of TP can be that naive. Accidentally poking around peoples thoughts would kill naivety pretty quickly. But still, I loved him as a character.

The final section with the lisping man gives the story a nice closure and hits again on the theme of doing the wrong things for the right reasons."