Bravery
For young fifth-graders coming of age, being scared of things is a hard obstacle to overcome. However, what Nate and Trevor do may not be considered brave by all. Instead, it seems what they did was foolish, as contacting authorities would have solved the problem much quicker. Still, when Trevor and Nate try to stop Belinda from killing people, and realize that what she is trying to do is wrong, they show that they are willing to overcome their fears to serve the greater good.
Morals
For a fifth-grader, morals and common sense aren't always taken for granted. Considering that the group of four elementary kids didn't contact authorities, perhaps they haven't fully developed a knack for responsibility, but then again, many fictional adults do the same sort of thing when it comes to adventure stories. The kids in the text prove that they know the difference between right and wrong when they stand up against Belinda White. They do not give in to her offerings of magic candy, which would be a big temptation for many, and they do not blindly follow what she says.
Good vs. Evil
Good vs. Evil appears to be the overarching theme of the novel, as Belinda White fills the role of antagonist and Stott and the kids play the roles of protagonists. Stott is also looking for the Fountain of Youth, but is not willing to go to the extreme lengths that Belinda does. As usual, the main characters are the protagonists, which lead to a plot with lots of adventure. The title itself even suggests that this is a war, and, ultimately, good wins over evil.
