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Ben was never a conformist. Even from a distance, even from a photograph, Jonthan can tell. Even when they meet, at the church where Jonathan's father is the music director and which Ben's father has just come to pastor, the differences in their personalities are blatant.
As Ben the inqusitive, nonconformist questioner begins to open up a fresh and exciting world for his new friend Jonathan, the two boys are caught up in an exciting summer of adventure, fun and mischief. After waking up the church's congregation with a round of startling interpretations of Scripture, they begin to look farther afield (or, rather, Ben does, while Jonathan tags along) for more fields to conquer. Sometimes they are caught and chastized; other times not.
After a time, however, Jonathan begins to learn about the less obvious parts of Ben's life. And some of these new discoveries change both the boys, in unexpected ways.
As the plot deepens and the book winds to a close, the boys grow closer in a heartbreaking and beautiful fashion, revealing new ideas to each other and (inadvertently) to readers as well. While the boys grow to understand God and life more fully, John Fischer opens up some of the most tender and inner concepts of life and Christianity, baring them and sharing them for anyone to see.
This profound book, written in an easy, flowing style, and with a gentle soulful touch, is definitely a book that will never be forgotten