“A room can be lonely / when a boy not grown, / sees his new friend Greg / with a scar or bruise mark on his leg.” Everett Anderson feels sad, wondering if it’s true that his friend falls down the stairs and hurts himself every day. Adult readers will recognize the signs of an abused child immediately, but Everett comes to this realization slowly, wondering how he should respond. When he finally is able to talk to his own mother about it, she assures him he has done the right thing, that she’ll take charge, and that Everett can return to being the best friend he can be to Greg. Clifton’s gentle, understated story will provide a good, safe place for opening a discussion with children about ways to respond to difficult situations. (Ages 4–8)