The walk to the forest of bloodpines was once a meaningful rite-of-passage, instilling confidence and purpose in the boys who undertook the task, but Parlay Burnham, the one-legged son of a widowed schoolteacher, sees it only as another form of oppression. As the other boys in town eagerly prepare for the four-day hike, Par struggles with insecurity, expectations, and the uncertainty of his place in the community.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, James Lester, a brilliant and misunderstood boy with nothing to prove, has no intention of making the walk. He thinks it’s childish and pointless and he scoffs at the boys as they pass, but seeing Par limping along at the rear of the pack changes James’ mind. He knows what boys are like, knows what they’re capable of doing to each other. Even in a group of two-dozen boys, Par will be all alone out there.

On their journey to the bloodpines, Par and James find that the road of self-discovery can be a lot longer than expected. They learn that life is about more than survival. They learn that sometimes you have to fight for what you want. Mostly they learn that you can’t let others tell you who you are.

The Bloodpines is a story of courage, redemption, and hope as two unlikely friends search for meaning in a world that doesn’t want them.

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