Swallowing Stones is a young adult novel written by Joyce McDonald. It tells the story of 16-year-old Michael "Mike" Duff, who is struggling to come to terms with the accidental death of his best friend, Steve, and the guilt he feels as a result.
The novel begins with Mike's arrest for possession of a stolen gun. It is revealed that he found the gun in Steve's closet and took it, hoping to sell it to help pay for his friend's funeral expenses. However, the police catch him before he can sell the gun, and he is charged with theft and possession of a weapon.
As Mike awaits trial, he reflects on the events leading up to Steve's death. Steve was a talented musician and a loyal friend, and Mike idolized him. However, Steve also had a wild streak and was prone to making reckless decisions. One such decision was to go joyriding with a group of friends in a stolen car. The car crashed, and Steve was killed.
Mike is wracked with guilt and grief over Steve's death, and he struggles to come to terms with the fact that he will never see his friend again. He also feels guilty for not being able to protect Steve and for not being able to do more to help his family pay for the funeral.
As the novel progresses, Mike begins to open up about his feelings to his girlfriend, Amanda, and his therapist, Dr. Kline. Through these conversations, he is able to start to process his grief and come to terms with Steve's death. He also begins to see that he is not alone in his pain and that others, such as Amanda and Dr. Kline, are also struggling with their own losses and hardships.
One of the major themes of the novel is the importance of communication and seeking help when dealing with difficult emotions. Mike initially tries to cope with his grief and guilt on his own, but it is only when he starts to open up about his feelings that he is able to start healing.
Another theme is the importance of forgiveness, both for oneself and for others. Mike ultimately comes to forgive himself for his role in Steve's death and is able to move forward with his life. He also learns to forgive his father, who has a strained relationship with him, and begins to understand that his father is also struggling with his own pain and regrets.
Overall, Swallowing Stones is a poignant and moving novel about grief, guilt, and the importance of seeking help and forgiveness in times of hardship. It is a powerful reminder that we are not alone in our struggles and that it is possible to find healing and hope, even in the darkest of times.
