The Gray

Sasha這一年過得不容易。學校裡的霸凌讓他越來越沉默，心裡的焦慮感──他稱為「灰影」──也日漸擴大。父親不理解他的不安，只要他「撐過去」。於是，Sasha被送到鄉下姑姑家度暑假，遠離熟悉的生活，也避開那段說不出口的痛。在那裡，他遇見了一匹同名為「Gray」的馬，意外喚醒他內心的共鳴與思考。他重新感受到與人連結的可能，也在森林與田野間學著呼吸。當新朋友突然失蹤，他不得不決定，究竟是逃避，還是勇敢。《The Gray》是一部細緻描寫焦慮與自我修復的故事，陪伴青少年面對內心的低谷，找到屬於自己的聲音。

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?