Using David’s coming of age as the central focus of the novel, Connolly highlights the benefits and losses associated with leaving childhood and becoming an adult. This theme is especially relevant for young adult readers who, like David, might be struggling to accept difficulties in their lives or let go of parts of their childhood.

One major example of a loss David experiences as he retreats from childhood is the loss of the way things used to be in his family. In accepting his mother’s death, David must also acknowledge that his family will never be the same. Along with this comes the loss of his father’s complete attention. Since Rose and Georgie are now part of his family, a part of his father’s consideration will always belong to them, rather than David. However, along with this loss comes a significant gain. Although David no longer has the ideal family unit from his childhood, he has gained a mother and a brother. At the end of the novel, Connolly writes that David embraces his new role as Georgie’s older brother, and the two share a close relationship as adults. Only by acknowledging the loss of his mother could David embrace the gain of his new family relationships.