Buzz Bissinger writes with searing honesty in Father's Day, which ostensibly recounts a road trip taken with his son Zach in 2007. Zach, in his mid-twenties at the time, was born prematurely and with a major oxygen deficiency three minutes after his twin's birth. He suffers from a myriad of mental disabilities and is also a savant when it comes to dates and places. Bissinger suggested the trip as a way to get to know his son, who has an interior life, just one that is inaccessible to those around him. In an effort to create enthusiasm for the trip, he suggests to his son, none too keen on driving across the country, that rather than visit attractions like the Grand Canyon, they visit cities and towns in which they once lived, and visit old friends and colleagues.

Anyone who parents a child with some sort of learning difference and social challenges will empathize with the author, who readily admits to mistakes he made along the way, and anger and frustration he continues to feel. My heart broke when he wrote about his blue box of test scores, psych analyses, and teacher comments. While most parents have boxes of their kids' art work and report cards, there are many of us with our own blue boxes.

When she heard I was reading this book, a friend told me that a friend of hers had read it and disliked it because the author's behavior toward his son is not always sugar and spice. That may be precisely why I liked it. It's honest. It's gut-wrenching, and when the author dons a hair shirt, it felt authentic to me.

I don't want to give much detail because those who read the book will discover it for themselves. Just know that in addition to the pathos, there's great writing, and, from Zach to his dad, a lesson or two about handling life when you want to explode. Because as much as Bissinger longs to teach his son, he readily accepts his son's lessons, about acceptance, about love, and dignity.

This book is a strong B+; I'm actually wavering with an A-, or DIK grade. What may put it over the top is a conversation the author had with Zach's twin shortly after his college graduation about who might assume responsibility for Zach after the death of their parents. If you read the book, I'd love to hear from you, and if I update the grade, I'll reflect that here.