I pulled the letter out of my pocket and looked at Grandpa's writing...I should give it to Mum - it was hers after all...But how could I? I'd have to admit going down into the cellar...Now that I'd come this far, I'd have to read what he'd said. I stood in the moonlight and began. Synopsis A forbidden foray into an old cellar leads Ish to unearth a startling discovery. When he opens his late Grandpa's undelivered letter to Mum, Ish is sucked into a vortex of secrets and lies - and one unexpected truth. Now he must live with the consequences. Ish writes poetry to make sense of his world - and learns that in the face of loss, treach-ery and deceit, love is what matters. Sales points - In the Dark explores the critical themes of identity, loss, honesty, family and friendship. It also exposes the reader to the concept and consequences of gambling, adoption and bullying - The use of humour contrasts some of the bleak things happening in Ish's life - Incorporates poetry to communicate emotions and feelings - A rich resource of true-to-life characters who deal with the adventures and challenges of everyday life in a way readers are positioned to engage with and relate to through an alluring story arc - References Australian Curriculum v8.2 English