What Is The Theme Of The First Stone By Don Aker

“Many times what we perceive as an error or failure is actually a gift. And eventually, we find that lessons learned from that discouraging experience prove to be of great worth.”-Richelle E. Goodrich. The First Stone by Don Aker is a book about a young offender named Reef Kennedy who has gotten into trouble countless times. Ever since his grandmother died, Reef has been venting out his anger, hurting others around him in the process. When he discovers that his favorite spot is going to be destroyed, he runs away angrily and hurls a stone over an overpass, which lands on the windshield of Leeza Hemming’s car, causing her to receive extensive injuries and treatment at a rehab center. Reef, however, gets assigned to go to a youth group for a year, not to mention volunteering at a rehab center. Both Leeza and Reef face hardships in life, but they find a special way to recover that involves each of them. In The First Stone, one of the major themes is learning from mistakes that have been committed. This theme is developed in the resolution,

The theme is represented when Reef starts showing improvement and controlling his anger. At first, Reef treats everyone terribly and attacks others with his jumbled up feelings. “Jesus, Scar, whaddaya want me to do? Visit her? Hold her hand? What is done is done. Ain’t nothin’ I can do about it now. Even if I wanted to. Which I don’t.” (pg. 46) But after spending time with Leeza at the rehab center, Reef slowly progresses with changing his attitude. “A tissue appeared under her nose. She looked up and saw the young man holding a Kleenex box he’d taken from the table by the window.”Additionally, Reef registers the fact that his temper will get him nowhere in life so he tries making an effort in diminishing it. The theme is illustrated when Reef discerns that his anger is unhelpful and attempts to compose