Genre  

Science fiction/fantasy

Narrator 

Omniscient narrator

Climax 

Jim and Will's final ride on the carousel is the climax of the novel.

Protagonist 

William Halloway, James Nightshade, and Charles Halloway

Antagonist 

Mr. Dark

Setting (time) 

Unclear, but likely between 1920 and 1950

Setting (place) 

Green Town, Illinois

Point of view 

Mostly Will or Charles Halloway but several chapters are from the point of view of other characters.

Falling action 

Will and his father bring Jim back to life by dancing and singing and being happy.

Tense 

Immediate past

Foreshadowing 

The Prologue foreshadows much of the plot, and throughout the book major events are foreshadowed.

Tone 

The tone is mystical and poetic yet believable.