I can't believe I've never reviewed this book! This is my ultimate favorite novel of all time and to this day, I've reread it about five times. There's something about Potok's minimalist writing style that I just can't get over--it's haunting in such an amazing way. 
 Asher Lev is a Hasidic Jew with an incredible talent for painting and drawing. His father, who is an important man working for the Rebbe in their community, cannot understand his son's strange fascination with art, while his mother tries to understand as best she can (after a break down and a "rebirth," if you will). The story culminates in an indescribable scene at Asher's first art show--a scene that still gives me goosebumps to this very day. 
 This is one of those novels that I'm afraid to recommend to people because I think I would be hurt if they didn't like it. Crazy, right?