*Everybody Sees the Ants* by A.S. King follows the life of Lucky Linderman, a teenager trapped in a cycle of pain and frustration. Lucky’s family is dysfunctional: his father is emotionally scarred from the Vietnam War, his mother is in denial about their problems, and his grandfather, who fought in the war, never returned home in the way he left. To cope with the harsh realities of his life, including being relentlessly bullied by a boy named Nader McMillan, Lucky retreats into vivid dreams.

In these dreams, Lucky escapes to Laos, where he imagines himself as a hero in a war-torn jungle—a place where he feels brave, strong, and capable of facing challenges. These dream worlds allow him to live out an alternate version of himself, one where he can confront danger and escape the crushing weight of his real life.

But as the bullying reaches a breaking point, Lucky realizes that hiding in his dreams isn’t a permanent solution. He must eventually confront the painful reality of his family’s issues, his own fears, and the deep wounds that have shaped him. Along the way, he learns to take control of his life, finding courage not just in his dreams, but in the real world.

King’s novel blends humor with emotional depth, offering a powerful exploration of trauma, identity, and resilience. Through Lucky’s journey, *Everybody Sees the Ants* emphasizes the importance of confronting the past and standing up to the struggles life throws at you, while also offering hope for personal growth and healing. It’s a poignant story about learning to live with life’s scars and finding the strength to move forward.

 

Product details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0316129275
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (September 18, 2012)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780316129275
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0316129275
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 15 years and up
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 10 and up
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.6 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.88 x 8.25 inches
• Condition: Used-Very Good

Teen & Young Adult Fiction, Multigenerational Family Fiction, Teen & Young Adult Fiction on Bullying, Teen & Young Adult Fiction about Self-esteem & Reliance,