SPOILERS
It took me a while, but I'm caught up on this series. You're right, Amanda - it is very smart! That's a good description. J&E have developed a lovely extended family that includes not only their children, but other great characters. There is a gentle quality about this story that's really nice.
But that's not to say it's not without complexity or angst. Junior certainly is displaying some signs of being sexually abused, but then again, it could be a lot of things. I hope Ennis listens to his inner voice and pursues this further.
Marie