The Most Important Thing: Stories About Sons, Fathers, and Grandfathers

This collection by award-winning author Avi offers seven distinct short stories, each illuminating a different facet of the father-son relationship. Readers will meet boys navigating the loss of a father, adjusting to new family dynamics with a prospective stepfather, or discovering the hidden depths of a grandfather's past. The stories are by turns heartbreaking, hopeful, and humorous, providing a rich tapestry of experiences that explore themes of acceptance, guidance, and the search for a role model. It's an excellent book for opening conversations about family, grief, and the many ways love manifests within a family.

One of the most beloved writers of our time presents seven short stories exploring the vital ties between fathers and sons. Luke sees the ghost of his father but can’t figure out what Dad wants him to do. Paul takes a camping trip with the grandfather he’s just met and discovers what lies behind the man’s erratic behavior. Ryan has some surprising questions when he interviews his prospective stepfather for the job. In a compellingly honest collection of stories, multiple-award-winning author Avi introduces seven boys — boys with fathers at home and boys whose fathers have left, boys who spend most of their time with their grandfathers and boys who would rather spend time with anyone but the men in their lives. By turns heartbreaking, hopeful, and funny, the stories show us boys seeking acceptance, guidance, or just someone to look up to. Each one shines a different light on the question “What is the most important thing a father can do for his son?”