This novel centres around 3 friends who are not having the easiest of teenage lives-in fact they're really struggling with things that we all hope our children wouldn't have to struggle with but lots of young people DO. AJ is the main character and this story is really his-the mystery surrounding his father , his awakening of his own talents and his recognition of this chance to change his life. The boys are living a harsh life but the magic and mystery in the book contrasts with this and gives it a quirky lift. I like that bit of magic particularly when it is a key which enables you to go back into time and in a more exciting way than in the Magic Key that Biff and Chip use!!
14 + for this one I think-it's got some themes better suited to this age range -drug use, gangs. The book uses the F word a couple of times just to warn you if you feel offended by that or if you like to know what you're children are reading. It would detract if they said something much more polite because it just wouldn't feel real.
Read it if you haven't already and then read 'I Coriander' if you haven't already ......