Hokey Pokey

Still digesting this one. What can I say? My main concern throughout reading it was whether or not this would appeal to kids, and I can't seem to come up with an answer. The first chapter confused the heck out of me, and I continued to read because I feel like I am supposed to like Jerry Spinelli. Once I got through the second chapter, it was better, but I still felt like it lacked tension (it is obvious what is happening to Jack)and it threw focus on things that, in the end, didn't really matter (ie the girls digging in the shack, The Destroyer). At the same time, I enjoyed exploring Hokey Pokey. Mostly, I felt bad for the kids who lived there. And so many unanswered questions! What happens in the real world while this is going on, and who was The Kid and why is there a Hokey Pokey in the first place? I really thought it was going to end up being a mental sanctuary for abused children. I get that it is all metaphorical, I do. But, will a child? Most importantly, will a modern child get this? Can they relate to this at all? I just don't know.