BOOK SUMMARY
When his mother decides on a whim to be a missionary in Africa and drags his
unwilling father with her, Henry is left in the care of his Aunts Magnolia and
Pigg. Henry's sure they dislike him and he's trying to keep his distance,
but that becomes more difficult when Mag decides they should take a
destination-less road trip. Mag, convalescing from an illness that makes her
look like death, is downright crabby. Pigg, tense from driving, is becoming more
assertive and less willing to submit to Mag's whims. And while they poke each
other – literally – Henry is finding it hard to keep his resolution.
They go to Virginia Beach (it's too hot); try camping in the Everglades (Henry
accidentally spends four days floating in a swamp); visit their daddy, Henry's
granddaddy (Henry's never met him!); and lose Pigg to love in Oklahoma (what
would the radio psychologist Daly Kramer say?) before they finally receive word
that Henry's parents are coming back and will meet them in Tulsa to finish the
trip with Mag and Henry. But his parents are bickering and Henry is in despair
– until he surrenders to the road and decides to let whatever happens happen,
but to be there in it all.
Complete with her signature cast of eccentric characters, absurd situations, and
heartfelt moments, Polly Horvath writes an on-the-road epic like no other!
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Publishers Weekly
of 5
by Am
of 5
by Kelli
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