Boys are tending to be left behind; though males used to be “catered” to, many areas, schools, churches, books, are now leaving them out. Not necessarily on purpose, but it is happening. In fact, according to Searching for Tom Sawyer, says that 70-90% of boys will leave the church after they turn 20. Tim Wright addresses this and other related issues, and what can be done to reverse it.

Tim Wright tells how the reversal of roles has occurred, that the fact that boys learn differently and react differently is no longer thought about like it should be. Though neither gender is more important than the other, they cannot be handled the same, either. Boys need men to show them how to be men.

He does more than just point out the problem, he offers solutions that he has seen work. Having mentors, for example, to guide a boy from childhood into adulthood. The dad is the first choice, but having more helps.

Changing how the classes for boys are taught would be a great benefit. Since boys tend to be visual and not big on reading, the lessons need to take that into account.

After the main text Tim Wright provides same lessons that can be used or built off of for churches to start ministering to boys.

Backed up with scriptures, personal stories and statistics, Searching for Tom Sawyer helps point out a problem, and gives a place to start in fixing it. I believe that this is a good book for all church leaders to go through.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for giving it an honest review.