Part 1, The Shades of Spring: Chapter 1, Before the Sun, Chapter 2, Down in the Dark, and Chapter 3, The Invader Summary

The book begins with a brief introduction that tells the reader that the story contained in this novel is one of childhood, of coming of age, of a time when the narrator still believed in magic. This introduction also discusses with the reader the fact that the story is written in a first person narrative, but includes information which the narrator could not have known, but learned later.

In chapter 1 of part 1, Cory Mackenson's father, Tom, wakes him so he can help with the milk delivery that morning. Cory likes to help his father with his milk delivery, so he does not complain about the early hour. Cory and...