Coming of Age

The novel traces Jack’s coming of age as he learns that even adults, like his mother, make decisions that lead to undesirable consequences. Jack begins his journey at 11 years old as a child who hesitates only briefly in acting when he senses something has happened to his mother. In three short years, Jack has become parent and guardian of both his younger sisters. When he finds evidence in a house that he has broken into that he believes might lead to his mother’s murderer, Jack finally understands that his mother had to weigh what she thought was best for her children when she left them behind to go for help.

When Eileen leaves Jack in charge of his little sisters as she goes to get help because their car has broken down, Jack shoulders his responsibility seriously. When he senses that his...