Contents

A Note from the Author

From an Entry in a Journal

Prologue

1. The Big Hike

2. Life in Kansas

3. The Pond

4. Corn Dogs and Marbles

5. Mister Earl and the Pig Trip

6. The New Teacher

7. A Visitor Comes to the Farm

8. A Birthday Gift

9. The Phone Call

10. The Trip to The River

11. The Girl

12. The River Speaks

13. Samuel and Big Water Adventures

14. Class V

15. The Last Night

16. Good-bye and The Journal

17. No More Kansas

18. Hanging Out with Ezra

19. An Unexpected Introduction

20. A Dinner to Remember

21. The Night Run

22. The War Room

23. A Trip Home

Epilogue

Reading Group Guide

Acknowledgments

Author Interview

About the Author