Pastime

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the realization that their parents are flawed individuals or when they are searching for a sense of belonging outside of a traditional family unit. While it functions as a gritty detective mystery, the heart of the story lies in the relationship between a private investigator and a young man he once mentored. It explores how we can choose our own role models and build our own moral compass even when our biological parents let us down. As the duo tracks down a missing mother, the narrative delves into themes of loyalty, masculine vulnerability, and the transition from childhood dependency to adult independence. Given the hard-boiled nature of the prose and some mature themes involving organized crime and complex adult relationships, it is best suited for older teens. It serves as an excellent bridge to adult literature, offering a model of a protective, respectful, and stoic bond between an adult and a young person.