A Father's Word

This is a novel written through the eyes of four teenage boys who must come to grips with a changing neighborhood. Two of the boys are Jewish, one whose heritage is that of an Iraqi Jew and the other an Eastern European Jew. Two boys are Catholic, one who has grown up with a hatred for Jews and the other whose feelings are undefined and uncertain. Their beliefs are threatened while conflicts occur. The boys struggle to deal with the conflicts, the uncertainty of their beliefs. The book explores how each is affected. Will they emerge unscathed? Will they emerge for the better? What will each learn about themselves, their friendships? Bobby, the Iraqi Jewish boy develops a relationship with Liz, a Catholic girl. How do the characters, the community react? The book explores the challenges each faces in the changing community and how their backgrounds and friendships influence how they cope with the escalating conflicts. The manuscript explores religious prejudice and how it arises. The story, through the perspective of the boys, explores whether that prejudice can change and what might influence the change. The story ends with the possibility of hope after a riveting fight occurs. The book hits the mark about a story of prejudice, its origins, and the possibility of change.  The novel is relevant in the current climate. It will hit home in a real way to middle grade, young adult and adult readers.