Review: Once I started it - I had to finish it!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 07 20, 2013
I enjoyed this story more than I have many that I've read recently.The author gave us believable characters who you connected to, some positively, some negatively, which is as it should be.  The protagonists weren't perfect, and the antagonists had their warm fuzzy moments.  The relationships between them felt genuine, and difficult, and endearing, and realistic.  I was saddened by Wesley's internal need to deny who he was, but I understood it.  I was heartened by Bennett's strength and by Elly's openness.  Eli's struggles and questions were touching and intelligently written.  I found the author's portrayal of the church to be a bit negative, but while I grew up a Southern Baptist, the subject matter was never part of the Sunday school curriculum where I went, so perhaps I am not the best judge.  That said, based on my childhood in the midwest (Bible Belt) I can imagine that the bigotry had the potential to be intense- even today.  I love to see stories that can give the kids today more positive options, and let them know that in spite of the hardships and hard decisions, sometimes the good guys come out of it OK. The positivity here was hard-won, by both the characters and the reader, and truthfully I didn't agree with all the actions taken, but that's part of what made the story relevant to me. It forced me out of my comfort zone and made me re-think my opinions on some things.Normally, for me the ultimate praise for a book is that it completes the trifecta: makes me Laugh, Cry and Think.  This one got 2 of of 3 (no laughs in this one), but it added a 4th, which is that it made me want to take action.  It made me want to step up to be one of those people that initiates the change in our world.  THAT is a feat very very few other authors have accomplished, so Thank you - and Thank you.Slight Spoiler Alert:  The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars was that I was disappointed that Eli did not name his attackers.  I could tell that it was a point that clearly meant something to the author, but I can only say that I disagree with the choice. I understood why Sam didn't - that was a beef among boys/buddies and both boys got in their licks - and while it's not a philosophy I agree with, the old adage "boys will be boys" does seem to apply.  However, a hate crime, and two attempted murders should not be treated in the same way.