This is the first of JG's books that I read, and I loved it. It made me cry at the end, yes, but it was still a very good book. Adam is a truly caring person, and Sam seems like he's truly sorry for his sins. I wish that the high schools in this country would have their students read this book and then have discussions about the death penalty. It's a very daunting issue, one that too many of the American people are afraid to discuss because they feel it is too gruesome and too controversial to talk about in public. This book makes you think long and hard about your opinion on the death penalty.