Martin Emerson's family, friends, and even his therapist have trouble figuring him out. He never showed much of a reaction to the death of his mother, and his behaviour of late has been getting more and more bizarre.

And yet, his website - Emerso.com - has made him something of a cult figure to followers who believe that, if not having all the right answers, "Emerso" at least has all the right questions.

Shoulder the Sky is a rarity among young adult novels - it challenges the reader with philosophical thought and complex observations.