Fans of the popular Wilderking series will be thrilled to learn that author Jonathan Rogers has a new fantasy book out called The Charlatan’s Boy. This well-written, stand-alone novel for middle grade kids follows the adventures of Grady, a young boy who makes his way in the world as a side kick of a traveling con man named Floyd.

The background of the main character is a mystery. Grady does not know who his parents are, where he was born, or where he belongs. Throughout the book, this mystery haunts Grady as he migrates (or flees) from town to town while Floyd scams money off people paying to see Grady’s performance as a wild Feechie. Grady feels uncomfortable with the deception but sees no way of escape. The inner conflict serves as subtle tension between the two characters because while Grady does his best to not to take advantage of others, he always ends up helping Floyd succeed in his extortions.  

Rogers’s main character, Grady, has a strong and distinct voice. Told in first person, readers are hooked by Grady’s slow, southern dialect as he describes his view of the world and his inner thoughts. This unique vernacular lends authenticity to the tale.

It also reveals Grady’s simple approach to life. He sees things in black and white, and even while he is often forced to operate in the black, he longs for the white. He also views Floyd as a father figure even though Floyd emotionally mistreats Grady, leading Grady to find himself ugly and unlovable. In fact, when given the opportunity to ditch Floyd and join a woman who treats him with kindness and acceptance, Grady choses Floyd. This particular and repeated action is a sad reflection of what often happens today, where people remain in toxic relationships perhaps because they cannot believe they deserve better.

The book reads like a collection of short stories tied together by an underlying theme of identity and belonging. Although the topic and honest tone align with components of a typical middle grade novel, I found the pacing and inner-focused thought processes better suited for a young adult audience. In fact, because each chapter had a clear stopping point, The Charlatan’s Boy might serve well as a family or classroom read aloud. There’s also an educator’s guide available, which makes this option especially appealing. This additional resource contains vocabulary words, discussion questions, art activities, an author study, and ELAR/ SS extension activities.

If you loved the Wilderking series, I highly recommend you check out The Charlatan’s Boy, which releases in October 2026.