He Forgot to Say Goodbye — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Ramiro Lopez and Jake Upthegrove don't appear to have much in common. Ram lives in the Mexican-American working-class barrio of El Paso called "Dizzy Land." His brother is sinking into a world of drugs, wreaking havoc in their household. Jake is a rich West Side white boy who has developed a problem managing his anger. An only child, he is a misfit in his mother's shallow and materialistic world. But Ram and Jake do have one thing in common: They are lost boys who have never met their fathers. This sad fact has left both of them undeniably scarred and obsessed with the men who abandoned them. As Jake and Ram overcome their suspicions of each other, they begin to move away from their loner existences and realize that they are capable of reaching out beyond their wounds and the neighborhoods that they grew up in. Their friendship becomes a healing in a world of hurt.
San Antonio Express-News wrote, "Benjamin Alire Sáenz exquisitely captures the mood and voice of a community, a culture, and a generation"; that is proven again in this beautifully crafted novel.
Frequently asked questions
Is He Forgot to Say Goodbye appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book addresses the consequences of substance abuse and includes themes of loss and trauma, which may involve violent circumstances, particularly related to the characters' backgrounds and experiences. There are no elements in the book that would be considered genuinely frightening or likely to cause fear or nightmares. The focus is on personal and emotional struggles rather than horror themes.
Does He Forgot to Say Goodbye have violence?
The book addresses the consequences of substance abuse and includes themes of loss and trauma, which may involve violent circumstances, particularly related to the characters' backgrounds and experiences.
Does He Forgot to Say Goodbye have scary content?
There are no elements in the book that would be considered genuinely frightening or likely to cause fear or nightmares. The focus is on personal and emotional struggles rather than horror themes.
Does He Forgot to Say Goodbye have religious themes?
The book includes references to Christian beliefs, particularly through character interactions that discuss the president as a 'decent, Christian man'. This suggests a presence of religious themes within the narrative.
Does He Forgot to Say Goodbye have racial/cultural content?
The story is set along the Mexican border and explores themes of cultural identity and the impact of border politics, reflecting on the characters' backgrounds and experiences related to race.
Does He Forgot to Say Goodbye have profanity?
The book contains realistic dialogue that includes excessive profanity, reflecting the characters' environments and emotional states.
Does He Forgot to Say Goodbye have climate change?
There are no references to climate themes or environmental issues in the book. The focus remains on personal and social issues rather than climate activism or environmentalism.
Does He Forgot to Say Goodbye have sexual identity?
The narrative includes references to teenage relationships and intimacy, which may involve discussions of sexual acts and emotional connections between characters.
Does He Forgot to Say Goodbye have gender roles?
The book portrays strong female characters alongside male characters, presenting a balanced view of gender roles. It includes feminist themes and respects the uniqueness of each character regardless of gender.
Does He Forgot to Say Goodbye have lgbtq+ themes?
The book features themes of friendship and love between boys, indicating LGBTQ+ representation. The narrative explores their emotional journeys and connections, reflecting experiences relevant to LGBTQ+ youth.
