Young people are at a place in their lives where they are searching to know who they are. What kind of persons do they want to be? How can they become those persons?

How can they make their lives count for something? Young people reject the phoniness they sometimes see in adults around them. Readers will see these same issues in the protagonist of Whirligig. From Brent's mistakes and searching, they may learn new ways to look at themselves.

Sometimes young people turn to drugs, alcohol, sex, or material possessions to find satisfaction and meaning in their lives. Readers will see that Brent looked to the same things for answers but found them in places he never imagined. Perhaps they will look in other places for answers, too.

They may feel rejected, isolated, or without friends, like Brent. There are ways to restore their self-esteem, earn...