The theme of suicide may be considered controversial for a teen novel, but Patricia Calvert handles it with honesty and sensitivity. Teen suicide is, indeed, not a rare phenomenon, and the author demonstrates its causes as well as the healing process in simple but clear terms. While Jake is able to overcome the damage the critical attitude of his father has created, Danny, out of a much deeper despair about his social and cultural problems, seeks death in what at first appears to be an accident.

The similarity of his own feelings to those of Danny leads Jake to a fuller understanding of the devastating effects suicide has on those left behind.