Theme

The THEME of a story or novel is the author's message about life.  It is sometimes confused with the TOPIC of a book or story.  A theme is what the authors is saying ABOUT a topic.  For example, a topic within the novel, Crash is bullying.  The theme of Crash is what the author is saying ABOUT bullying.  Here is an example: Bullies are usually mean to others because they're trying to compensate (make up for) something that they themselves  lack.