For teens who feel lost and question their impact on the world, this book explores how ordinary actions can lead to extraordinary purpose and self-worth.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen feels adrift, questioning their purpose and believing they can't make a difference in the world. The story follows Ed Kennedy, a 19-year-old cab driver who feels like a total failure until he starts receiving mysterious playing cards that send him on missions to help strangers. Through these acts of kindness, he discovers his own capacity for impact and builds a sense of self-worth. Best for older teens (14+) due to mature themes and language, it is an excellent choice for a teen who needs a compelling, unconventional story to remind them that meaning can be found in connecting with and helping others.
Deals with themes of deep loneliness, poverty, and the emotional aftermath of abuse.
Moral AmbiguityModerate
The central mystery's resolution and Ed's actions raise complex moral questions.
Substance ReferencesMild
Characters frequently drink beer socially.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with domestic abuse, violence (including a scene of sexual assault and another of threatened assault), poverty, and loneliness. The approach is direct and gritty, not metaphorical. The resolution is ultimately hopeful, suggesting that even small acts of goodness matter, but it remains grounded in realism and ambiguity about the future.
Ideal Reader
A teen aged 15-18 who feels cynical, lost, or powerless. This is for the reader who questions their place in the world and wonders if one person can truly make an impact. It is a great fit for a reluctant reader who enjoys mystery and a quirky, relatable narrator.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware of the mature content. Key scenes to preview involve domestic violence and the aftermath of a sexual assault. The book's language is also frequently coarse. A brief conversation about the book's gritty realism could be helpful. The parent hears their teen say something like, "What's the point?" or "It doesn't matter what I do, nothing changes." They may observe a general apathy, cynicism, or lack of direction.
Age Experience
A 14-year-old might focus on the mystery and action, enjoying the "secret mission" aspect of the plot. An 18-year-old is more likely to connect with the existential questions about purpose, identity, and the struggle to define oneself. Older readers will grasp the philosophical weight of the book's ending more deeply.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many YA books about finding purpose through a grand quest, this one champions the profound impact of small, quiet acts of kindness in an ordinary, working-class setting. Its quirky, self-deprecating narrator and the ambiguous ending make it feel more philosophical and less like a typical hero's journey.
Read plot summary
Ed Kennedy is a 19-year-old taxi driver with low self-esteem and a lack of direction. After foiling a bank robbery, he starts receiving mysterious playing cards that lead him on a series of missions to help or affect various strangers and even his close friends. These tasks range from simple acts of kindness to confronting dangerous situations, forcing Ed to step outside his comfort zone and discover his own worth. The central mystery is who is sending the cards and why.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
At the end of the book, we learn who was sending the cards. Did this surprise you? Do you think it matters who the messenger is, or is the message itself more important?
2
Ed's missions range from buying an ice cream for a lonely widow to confronting a violent man. Which task do you think had the biggest impact, and which one was the most difficult for him emotionally?
3
Ed describes himself and his friends as 'the epitome of ordinariness.' Do you think he is still 'ordinary' by the end of the book? What does the book say about the potential of ordinary people?
4
Ed has to decide whether or not to intervene in some very dangerous situations. If you received a card sending you to a place you knew was violent, what would you do? When is it right to get involved?
