Raphael loves his best friend Jerome, and he’s not afraid to say it. They have so much fun together, they get each other’s stories, and Jerome saves seats for Raphael even when he is with his other friends. Raphael is confused about why his parents, especially his father, don’t seem to understand how he loves Jerome so much. The line expressing that his father’s voice is “like sharp fish bones in my hot chocolate” expresses his feelings so well. This book is a testament to the power of friendship among children and the way adults can react to it, especially powerful friendship between two boys that takes on a softer tone.