Take Me With You by one of my favorite authors, Catherine Ryan Hyde, is a heart-warming novel that reminded me to cherish the moment, to savor it, and to keep it locked in my heart.
August Shroeder, a high school science teacher, is facing life alone. His nineteen-year-old son was killed in an automobile accident, and he’s divorced from his wife. August and his son had planned to go camping at Yellowstone this summer, but now August plans to go alone and take his son’s ashes instead. He’ll be gone the entire summer.
August sets out in his RV but has the misfortune of a breakdown while still in California. A mechanic hauls the rig to his shop and begins the repair. Toward the end of the few days it takes, the mechanic asks a favor of August. Would August take the mechanic’s two sons with him? It’s a strange request, but the man confesses that he’s facing a three-month DUI jail sentence and he has no where else to leave the boys. It’s just the three of them—the boys’ mother is no longer in the picture. The mechanic offers to not charge for the repairs if August could take the boys with him.
The older boy, Seth, 12, is a bright, precocious boy. His little brother, Henry, 7, is timid with a cartoon-mouse voice on the rare occasions when he does speak. August has gotten to know the boys during the last few days because they’ve played with his little Jack Russell terrier. It’s an unusual request, but he reluctantly agrees.
The three of them set out on a joint adventure. They see it all—Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone National Park where, as a science teacher, August could explain the geothermal areas to eager listeners, then on to Arches National Park, the Navajo Nation and finally the Grand Canyon.
The trip ends, but not the bond that has developed between them.
The story skips to eight years later. Another trip has been meticulously planned, another transformative journey that will change their lives forever.
I loved this book. I especially enjoyed the interaction between August and the boys. I delighted in the camping scenes. I’ve camped all my life, starting when I was 10 days old. We now camp with a truck/camper, which is similar to camping with an RV. I often felt as though I was with them seeing the sights and enjoying life on the road. This novel is one of many that I’ve enjoyed by this author. I highly recommend Take Me With You.