What a page-turner of a read this was, and there were so many levels to appreciate. The story stands on its own as a touching chronicle of the lives of a father and his two sons, and their challenges to carry on after a tragic event. Shifting points of view from chapter to chapter added depth and empathy for the various teen and adult characters. High schoolers will relate to the realistic social ups and downs of scholastic life, and parents will find insights within as well. And amazingly, in its telling, the story parallels 12 parables from the Bible, as detailed in the included extensive study guide, which also offers wonderfully probing questions for discussion. This book is an ideal gift for a teen or for anyone looking to see modern-day illustrations of the parables of the Bible.