August Schroeder is on his way to Yellowstone to go camping, but his RV has broken down, leaving him and his small Jack Russell terrier, Woody, stranded* in a one-horse desert town*.

    While the mechanic, Wes, works on the vehicle, the science teacher is worried that he won’t have enough money to make it to the park. He’s not going for pleasure, although that was the original purpose of the trip. Instead, he’s transporting some of his son’s ashes so he can sprinkle* them around the park.

    He and Phillip, who was killed in the car accident that led to the breakup of his marriage, had planned the trip together. Now it seems as though the RV’s engine repairs will eat up most of his cash.

    Then Wes makes August an offer he can’t refuse, “Finish your trip, but take my two boys with you, and I won’t charge you anything.”

    The boys, 12-year-old Seth, and Henry, 7, will go into the foster* system if Wes, who’s scheduled* to serve 90 days in jail, can’t find another solution.

    August first refuses but finally agrees, and what follows is a lifelong bond among a recovering alcoholic*, a wise young boy who’s been forced to play the grown-up since his mom walked out, and sweet but silent Henry.

    Catherine Ryan Hyde’s books can be almost relentlessly uplifting*, but in her case, that’s not a bad thing. She manages to avoid bringing religion, schmaltz*, or improbable outcomes into the mix, instead relying on crisp, clean prose and a straightforward method of storytelling. The book is available at jd.com.

    (SD-Agencies)