The Road to Ever After

Davy is a thirteen year old homeless orphan in a joyless town ruled by the hypocritical Reverend Fall.  He loves sketching angels from an art book into the dirt around town, but he has to do it early in the morning to avoid getting caught. 

One morning on his early excursion he discovers one of the reverend's secrets.  Now Reverend Fall is trying to capture Davy, and his only option is to accept an unusual offer. 

Miss Elizabeth Flint, the town witch and shut in, believes she is about to die, and she wants Davy to drive her back to her childhood home.  It doesn't matter that Davy is only thirteen and has no idea how to drive or that her car is ancient. 

The two misfits form a reluctant friendship based on mutual crankiness.  Soon something strange begins to happen to Elizabeth.  She starts getting younger.  It's impossible, but it's happening.  As they travel, Elizabeth also begins to tell Davy the story of her past and all her regrets, and Davy realizes he has a responsibility to see Elizabeth through until she passes on to the next life. 

Moira Young's newest book is a bit confusing as a children's book.  Though the protagonist is thirteen, it seems more like a cautionary tale for adults to let go of the past and not be tied down by regrets.