Parents Not Understanding

The main theme of Parents Not Understanding weaves together the perspective of most of the readers as well as Clayton’s perspective and his mother’s perspective. As the novel is written for young adults aged 8 - 12, Williams-Garcia included this theme as many children will understand the premise. However, she presents this theme not only from Clayton’s perspective but also his mother’s perspective to show that having trouble with a parent knows no age boundaries. She also uses this theme to show that sometimes children do not learn from their parents, and even pass this on to their own children.

Williams-Garcia uses this theme to demonstrate to the young reader that no matter what age, children are always trying to understand their parents. She also uses this theme to show how Clayton is maturing. On page 10 she writes, “He’d hear his...