Bryan Bliss writes with a keen eye for the quiet struggles and profound connections within families. His narratives often explore themes of belonging, faith, and the search for meaning in ordinary lives. Through lyrical prose and relatable characters, he invites readers into intimate worlds that resonate long after the final page.
Recognized by multiple prestigious awards, this book has garnered acclaim for its compelling narrative and relatable characters. It explores themes relevant to young adults, blending engaging storytelling with emotional depth. The accolades highlight its impact and popularity within the literary community, making it a standout choice for readers seeking meaningful young adult fiction.
In a single night—graduation night—Thomas has to decide: Do what everyone has always expected of him? Or forge an entirely new path? Bryan Bliss’s absorbing examination of one boy struggling with expectations and realities will appeal to readers of Sara Zarr and Chris Crutcher. Thomas is supposed to leave for the army in the morning. His father was Army. His brother, Jake, is Army—is a hero, even, with the medals to prove it. Everyone expects Thomas to follow in that fine tradition. But Jake came back from overseas a completely different person, and that has shaken Thomas’s certainty about his own future. And so when his long-estranged friend Mallory suggests one last night of adventure, Thomas takes her up on the distraction. Over the course of this single night, Thomas will lose, find, resolve, doubt, drive, explore, and leap off a bridge. He’ll also face the truth of his brother’s post-traumatic stress disorder and of his own courage. In Bryan Bliss’s deft hands, graduation night becomes a night to find yourself, find each other, find a path, and know that you always have a place—and people—to come back to.