Snapshots takes a lighthearted look at some of the problems of growing up in twentieth-century America at the same time that it explores one social prob lem—child pornography—very seriously. Even though Sean and Marc have not done anything wrong except borrowing Marc's father's camera without first asking permission, they learn about the kinds of people who would exploit a child as pretty as Tiffany for sexual purposes and money. They also learn that they themselves might be the prey of child molesters.

Another serious theme involves Sean's bar mitzvah. He prepares for his bar mitzvah at the YMHA under the direction of Sol Segal, a cantor who also gives Sean guitar lessons. He is very serious about his preparations. A bar mitzvah usually occurs when a boy turns thirteen. Sean is thirteen and a half. When he misses some bar...