Rex, a young teenager, has been sent off by his mum to stay with his godfather Sparky because his mum says it isn't good for him to stay home where 'everything is a reminder' of his dad of his slow, painful death from cancer and the funeral and party after. Sparky has always been a big part of Rex's life, and he is doing his best to help Rex, who eats very little, won't talk about anything important, can't sleep, and is so wrapped up in his strong emotions about the death of his dad that nothing else gets through, not even his love of drawing. The descriptions in this novella are intense and lyrically written, and we completely believe in what Rex is going through. In Sparky's garden there is a shed that Sparky and Rex's dad built for him when he was a young lad, and Rex has always loved going into it on visits and using it as his studio. Now, he is unable to go in, and really doesn't want too. Too many memories there as well. Sparky and Dad had been close friends all through their childhood and were next door neighbours, and when Rex meets a lad near his age, Sydney, who now lives in dad's old house, they are drawn together in a rather strange way. Sydney is abrupt, often difficult, and Rex isn't at all sure he wants to know him better. He certainly doesn't want to tell Sydney about his dad, so their relationship is wary. It is Sydney that insists that they go into the shed, and now that they have, Rex is able to go back on his own and finds the letter his dad has written and left for him, a wonderful letter about their relationship and all the things he will miss about Rex. Rex is at last able to cry, and with that, he begins to become himself again. This is a wonderful, short novel that will appeal to all ages and provide a true picture of what it is like to lose someone you love intensely. The black and white line drawings throughout are indicative of Rex's love of drawing. This is an important book. It will provide comfort of a tangible sort, and while readers may well cry, they will also feel the reality of it all. Superb.