The Lightning People Play

By: Tim Cummings

Narrated by: Will Collyer

Fourteen-year-old Kirby Renton is a gifted theatre kid who wants to fix things: his dads’ marriage, his younger brother’s epilepsy. When ten-year-old Baxter’s seizures start involving visits from “the lightning people,” who descend from the sky and show him strange symbols, Kirby knows he needs to protect his brother, but how? He thinks he’s found the answer when the neurologist advises his family to consider a seizure-alert dog, but the cost is too much for his family to afford.

Determined to raise the money himself, Kirby enlists his best friends and a crew of brilliant teens from his theatre troupe to put on a play in his epic forest of a backyard. At first, the play brings its own pressures as the drama between Kirby’s dads worsens and his fears for his brother intensify. But little does Kirby know of the magic that awaits him and his friends—and the portals that will open—from his daring to make a difference.

From the award-winning author of Alice the Cat comes another intriguing tale set in the fictional town of Weirville, where more strange magic transforms the lives of the inimitable teens who live there.

©2025 Black Rose Writing (P)2025 Black Rose Writing

Critic reviews

“There are kinda heroic teens confronting mysterious symbols from the other side (maybe?). It's absolutely everything you’d want in a YA novel and then some.” –Josh Berk, Edgar Award nominee, author of The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin

This book is amazing!

This book is for everyone! Had me laughing, in tears and left me feeling the wonder and magic of human connection. I already want a follow up to this story because I want to know what these characters are up to now. I love Tim Cummings' playful characters and his thoughtfulness and sensitivity in exploring all human emotions. This should be in every classroom and bookshelf. I read it first and then listened to the audiobook and it is was equally as propelling. The voiceover artist, Will Collyer, really brought the characters to life. Go listen to this book immediately!

Magical, funny, touching

Tim has such a knack for writing a modern story that also evokes childhood memories and nostalgia. The story is moving, warm and very funny. The power of sibling love, of devoting oneself to something bigger than you, the power of theatre and storytelling makes this book a riveting page turner, and impossible to put down.

A humorous, moving, compassionate story

Tim Cummings has written another wonderful story -- full of humor, wisdom, and a whole lot of heart. Will Collyer does a great job narrating. A must for anyone who was a "theatre kid" growing up.