Run, Melos, Run

Reach for this book when your teen is grappling with the weight of a commitment or struggling to understand why integrity matters even when it is difficult. It serves as a powerful meditation on the sacrificial nature of true friendship and the internal battle between self-preservation and honor. This classic story follows Melos, a young man who must return to face an execution to save his best friend, who has stood as a hostage in his place. Through his grueling journey, the narrative explores themes of trust, perseverance, and the redemptive power of honesty. While the stakes are high and the tone is serious, it offers a profound template for moral courage that is highly appropriate for middle and high schoolers. Parents will appreciate how it moves beyond abstract lectures on 'being good' to show the visceral, physical, and emotional cost of keeping one's word.