A boy sets out to visit his friend who has moved across town. He's decided it's time to show himself that he can be courageous and that's he's no longer a kid (though only 9). And so he sets out, and things don't go quite as planned. First, he has to bring his sister along. He runs into various people along the way. Throughout, there are glimpses of others carrying out their day, and though there's no obvious connection, you have confidence that there will be.

And then, suddenly, it all comes together in a tragic and horrifying way.

I adored this book. There was a momentum to it that's hard to explain. I knew going in what the big event was, and there are some hints before the crisis. But when that crisis hit, I couldn't put the book down.

Beautifully written, and an interesting combination of sweet nostalgia and the suddenness of growing up due to an extraordinary situation. And pretty funny in parts.

Highly recommended!