Catherine Ryan Hyde Books

Unlikely road trip companions form an unexpected bond in an uplifting novel about the past--lost and found--by the New York Times and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author. Lewis Madigan is young, gay, out of work, and getting antsy when he's roped into providing end-of-life care for his insufferable homophobic neighbor, Chester Wheeler. Lewis doesn't need the aggravation, just the money. The only requirements: run errands, be on call, and put up with a miserable old churl no one else in Buffalo can bear. After exchanging barbs, bickering, baiting, and pushing buttons, Chester hits Lewis with the big ask. Lewis can't say no to a dying wish: drive Chester to Arizona in his rust bucket of a Winnebago to see his ex-wife for the first time in thirty-two years--for the last time. One week, two thousand miles. To Lewis, it becomes an illuminating journey into the life and secrets of a vulnerable man he's finally beginning to understand. A neighbor, a stranger, and a surprising new friend whose closure on a conflicted past is also just beginning. So Long, Chester Wheeler is an uplifting novel about looking deeper into the heart and soul to form bonds with the last people we'd expect--only to discover that they're the ones who need it most.

This new short story collection from the author of Don't Let Me Go and Pay It Forward features ALWAYS CHLOE, the long-awaited novella sequel to Catherine Ryan Hyde's award-winning novel Becoming Chloe. A heart-wrenching stand-alone novella, and an answer to the many readers who asked for a sequel to Becoming Chloe, ALWAYS CHLOE is ultimately about the struggle to balance others' needs with our own-and exactly how expansive and forgiving the human heart can be. This collection also includes four previously published short stories, including Breakage, which won honors in the Tobias Wolff award, and The Lion Lottery, which was cited in Best American Short Stories.

An orphaned boy raised by a survivalist wends his way into the real world in an emotional novel about hope, fears, and found family by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde.Out there is chaos, the collapse of society, and so much to be afraid of. All that matters is freedom.That’s what Remy Blake has been taught by his survivalist father. Raised off the grid in the middle of nowhere, his own survival skills not yet honed, Remy is days shy of his eighth birthday when his father unexpectedly dies. As seasons pass, supplies run out, and fending for himself grows more desperate, Remy sets out on foot, unprepared for the great unknown of civilization.He is found—near feral, silent, and terrified—in the small rural town of Blaire. To Anne, a nurturing mother of two adopted teenagers who’s still dealing with her own childhood rejections, Remy is not a lost cause. Just a challenging one. As Remy cautiously adapts to his new foster home, his family wants nothing more than to reassure him that he can trust the world. But to do so, they must first reexamine how much they trust the world themselves, and how much they should. As Remy’s journey into the real world begins, figuring out how to navigate it becomes a path they will have to learn to walk together.

An unexpected connection becomes the saving grace for two unlikely friends in a heart-stirring novel about love, loss, and moving forward by a New York Times and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author. Never knowing his parents, eleven-year-old Stewie Little and his brother have been raised on a farm by their older sister. Stewie steadfastly tends the chickens left by his beloved late grandmother. And every day Stewie goes door to door selling fresh eggs from his wagon--a routine with a surprise just around the corner. It's his new customer, Marilyn. She's prickly and guarded, yet comfortably familiar--she reminds the grieving Stewie so much of the grandmother he misses more than he can express. Marilyn has a reason for keeping her distance: a secret no one knows about. Her survival tactic is to draw a line between herself and other people--one that Stewie is determined to cross. As their visits become more frequent, a complicated but deeply rooted relationship grows. That's when Stewie discovers how much more there is to Marilyn, to her past, and to challenges that become more pressing each day. But whatever difficult times lie ahead, Stewie learns that although he can't fix everything for Marilyn or himself, at least he's no longer alone.

An Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestseller. New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde brings heartwarming authenticity to the story of two strangers who find that kindness is a powerful antidote to fear. Raymond Jaffe feels like he doesn't belong. Not with his mother's new family. Not as a weekend guest with his father and his father's wife. Not at school, where he's an outcast. After his best friend moves away, Raymond has only two real connections: to the feral cat he's tamed and to a blind ninety-two-year-old woman in his building who's introduced herself with a curious question: Have you seen Luis Velez? Mildred Gutermann, a German Jew who narrowly escaped the Holocaust, has been alone since her caretaker disappeared. She turns to Raymond for help, and as he tries to track Luis down, a deep and unexpected friendship blossoms between the two. Despondent at the loss of Luis, Mildred isolates herself further from a neighborhood devolving into bigotry and fear. Determined not to let her give up, Raymond helps her see that for every terrible act the world delivers, there is a mirror image of deep kindness, and Mildred helps Raymond see that there's hope if you have someone to hold on to.

"Brooke is a divorced single mom, financially strapped, living with her mother, and holding tight to the one thing that matters most: her two-year-old daughter Etta. Then, in a matter of seconds, Brooke's life is shattered when she's carjacked. Helpless and terrified, all Brooke can do is watch as Etta, still strapped in her seat, disappears into the Los Angeles night. Miles away, Etta is found by Molly, a homeless teen who is all too used to darkness ... As unpredictable as her life is, she's stunned to find Etta, abandoned and alone. Shielding the little girl from more than the elements, Molly must put herself in harm's way to protect a child as lost as she is"--Dust jacket flap.

During WWII, a teenage boy finds his voice, the courage of his convictions, and friends for life in an emotional and uplifting novel by the New York Times and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author.1941. Steven Katz is the son of prosperous landowners in rural California. Although his parents don’t approve, he’s found true friends in Nick, Suki, and Ollie, sons of field workers. The group is inseparable. But Steven is in turmoil. He’s beginning to acknowledge that his feelings for Nick amount to more than friendship.When the bombing of Pearl Harbor draws the US into World War II, Suki and his family are forced to leave their home for the internment camp at Manzanar. Ollie enlists in the army and ships out. And Nick must flee. Betrayed by his own father and accused of a crime he didn’t commit, he turns to Steven for help. Hiding Nick in a root cellar on his family’s farm, Steven acts as Nick’s protector and lifeline to the outside world.As the war escalates, bonds deepen and the fear of being different falls away. But after Nick unexpectedly disappears one day, Steven’s life focus is to find him. On the way, Steven finds a place he belongs and a lesson about love that will last him his lifetime.

New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde returns with a hopeful novel of sacrifice, two lost souls, and enduring love. It's 1965, and life has taken a turn for eighteen-year-old Anton Addison-Rice. Nearly a year after his brother died in a tragic accident, Anton is still wounded--physically and emotionally. Alone for the holidays, he catches a glimpse of his neighbor Edith across the street one evening and realizes that she's in danger. Anton is determined to help Edith leave her abusive marriage. Frightened and fifteen years Anton's senior, Edith is slow to trust. But when she needs a safe place to stay, she lets down her guard, and over the course of ten days an unlikely friendship grows. As Anton falls hopelessly and selflessly in love, Edith fears both her husband finding her and Anton getting hurt. She must disappear without telling anyone where she's going--even Anton. If keeping Edith safe means letting her go, Anton will say goodbye forever. Or so he believes. What would happen, though, if one day their paths should cross again?

An exhilarating and emotional novel about grief, hope, friendship, and taking life one beautiful and spontaneous day at a time by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde. Freakishly smart. That's the unwelcome box Ru Evans is put into for life. After all, she taught herself Euclidean geometry at age seven, has an eidetic memory, and is about to enter college at thirteen years old. Boarding at a house near campus 150 miles from home, Ru meets seventeen-year-old Gabriel, an outsider himself who, like Ru, has trouble making friends--until they form a fast sibling-like bond. Finding a relatable someone in the world to talk to is a first for both of them. But when Ru's mother dies and the threat of living with her miserable aunt looms, Ru hatches an escape. It's an impulsive road trip that takes Ru and Gabriel from California to Canada, where Ru can fulfill her ultimate dream: to see Atlantic puffins in the glorious wild. Mile by mile, Ru discovers the joy of friendship, found family, dark night skies, and the aurora borealis, and she basks in going from being a smart person to just a person. Though she knows they'll be in trouble when they're caught, for the short time they are navigating twist by twist of an unknown road, the freedom is liberating, and she is living for what feels like the first time.

"Thirteen-year-old Abby Hubble lives in an unhappy home in the Sierra Nevada foothills where her father makes life miserable for her and her mother, Mary. One day Abby witnesses a man dump a litter of puppies into the nearby river. Diving in to rescue all seven, she knows she won't be able to bring them home. Afraid for their fate at the pound, she takes them to an abandoned cabin, where all she can offer is a promise that she'll be back the next day. To grieving widower Elliot Colvin, life has lost meaning. Looking for solace, he retreats to the hunting cabin he last visited years ago, before his wife's illness. What he discovers is not at all what he expected: seven puppies and one determined girl with an indomitable heart."--Provided by publisher.

The truth behind a teenage girl's disappearance becomes something to conceal in a gripping novel about justice, lies, and impossible choices by New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde. When nineteen-year-old Jill Moss goes missing near the Utah-Arizona border, everyone has an opinion. Only Norma Gallagher, a search and rescue volunteer, knows the real story. Norma's already found Jill, huddled in a cave and terrified that her abusive boyfriend, Jake, will kill her. If he ever sees her again. To protect Jill from a dangerous man, Norma quietly delivers the girl to her grateful parents in California, even though she's conflicted. Keeping Jill safe and hidden from Jake, the press, and the public will be their secret. But secrets can't last forever. Five years later, the disappearance stirs a new media frenzy when Jake is arrested for the murder of Jill Moss--and Norma knows he didn't kill her. As Jake is about to stand trial, lust for retribution inflames public opinion and Jill's family refuses to come forward, forcing Norma to make a life-changing decision. What are the consequences if she stays silent? And what are the risks if she dares to finally tell the truth?

The Queen details the intriguing life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, highlighting her commitment to service, sacrifice, and the Commonwealth of nations over which she has ruled longer than any other British monarch.

On an isolated Texas ranch, Dr. Lucy cares for abandoned animals. The solitude allows her to avoid the people and places that remind her of the past. Not that any of the townsfolk care. In 1959, no one is interested in a woman doctor. Nor are they welcoming Calvin and Justin Bell, a newly arrived African American father and son. When Pete Solomon, a neglected twelve-year-old boy, and Justin bring a wounded wolf-dog hybrid to Dr. Lucy, the outcasts soon find refuge in one another. Lucy never thought she’d make connections again, never mind fall in love. Pete never imagined he’d find friends as loyal as Justin and the dog. But these four people aren’t allowed to be friends, much less a family, when the whole town turns violently against them. With heavy hearts, Dr. Lucy and Pete say goodbye to Calvin and Justin. But through the years they keep hope alive…waiting for the world to catch up with them.

August Shroeder, a burned-out teacher, has been sober since his 19-year-old son died. Every year he's spent the summer on the road, but making it to Yellowstone this year means everything. The plan had been to travel there with his son, but now August is making the trip with Philip's ashes instead. An unexpected twist of fate lands August with two extra passengers for his journey, two half-orphans with nowhere else to go. What none of them could have known was how transformative both the trip and the bonds that develop between them would prove, driving each to create a new destiny together.

The story of how a boy who believed in the goodness of human nature set out to change the world.Pay It Forward is a wondrous and moving novel about Trevor McKinney, a twelve-year-old boy in a small California town who accepts the challenge that his teacher gives his class, a chance to earn extra credit by coming up with a plan to change the world for the better -- and to put that plan into action.The idea that Trevor comes up with is so simple and so naïve that when others learn of it they are dismissive. Even Trevor himself begins to doubt when his "pay it forward" plan seems to founder on a combination of bad luck and the worst of human nature.In the end, Pay It Forward is the story of seemingly ordinary people made extraordinary by the simple faith of a child. In the tradition of the successful and inspirational television show Touched by an Angel, and the phenomenally successful novel and film Forrest Gump, Pay It Forward is a work of charm, wit, and remarkable inspiration, a story of hope for today and for many tomorrows to come.

New York, September 11th 2001. Russell Ammiano is rushing to work when he gets a phone call that saves his life. Russell must turn his back on the city he loves and hurry home to Kansas. Ben Ammiano is mentally disabled, and a creature of habit. Now his estranged brother has reappeared, and Ben's ordered world has turned upside down.

Carly and her little sister Jen are walking. Something terrible has happened. Something that has left Carly in charge, her faith in humanity shattered. She knows they need help. But she is terrified of her sister being taken away from her. All they have is each other. Carly wants them to find their way back to the last person she knew she could trust - their stepfather. But Jen holds a secret about him which, if she's telling the truth, will put them both at far more risk than they could imagine. And so begins a journey, across hundreds of miles, which neither girl could have anticipated. It isn't an easy one, and is often dangerous. But along the way they are also confronted with the unexpected kindness of strangers. And ultimately, should they choose to accept it, some new relationships that hold the potential to change everything.

Fourteen-year-old Angie and her mum are on the brink of homelessness... again. The problem is her little sister, Sophie. Sophie has a form of autism, and a tendency to shriek. Home never seems to last long. Until they move in with Aunt Vi, across the fence from a huge Great Dane. Sophie falls in love, and begins to imitate the dogâe(tm)s calm nature. The shrieking stops. Everyone relaxes. Until Paul, the dog's grumpy, socially isolated owner, moves away. Much to Angie's humiliation, her mum thinks they can follow Paul and his dog. Once reunited, despite a huge age gap, Angie and Paul form the closest friendship either has known. But Angie risks everything to help Paul's dream come true, even their friendship and her one chance at a real home âe" the only thing she's dreamed of since her father was killed. A place she wonâe(tm)t be thrown out of. A place she can feel she belongs.

An Amazon Charts bestseller. Humor and heart move the fast-paced journey of an unlikely pair coming together to form a family of their own in this touching story from New York Times bestselling author Catherine Ryan Hyde. Bea has barely been scraping by since her husband died. After falling for a telephone scam, she loses everything and is forced to abandon her trailer. With only two-thirds of a tank in her old van, she heads toward the Pacific Ocean with her cat--on a mission to reclaim what's rightfully hers, even if it means making others pay for what she lost. When fifteen-year-old Allie's parents are jailed for tax fraud, she's sent to a group home. But when her life is threatened by another resident, she knows she has to get out. She escapes only to find she has nowhere to go--until fate throws Allie in Bea's path. Reluctant to trust each other, much less become friends, the two warily make their way up the Pacific Coast. Yet as their hearts open to friendship and love from the strangers they meet on their journey, they find the courage to forge their own unique family--and begin to see an imperfect world with new eyes.

When Nathan McCann discovers a newborn baby boy half buried in the woods, he assumes he's found a tiny dead body. But then the baby moves and in one remarkable moment, Nathan's life is changed forever.The baby is sent to grow up with his grandmother, but Nathan can't forget him and is compelled to pay her a visit. He asks for one simple promise - that one day she will introduce the boy to Nathan and tell him, 'This is the man who found you in the woods.'Years pass and Nathan assumes that the old lady has not kept her promise, until one day an angry, troubled boy arrives on his doorstep with a suitcase . . .

Growing up as a child surrounded by violence, Pearl was determined not to let the same fate befall her own son Leonard. But when a man from her past returns, she knows that she must part with Leonard so that he does not follow her down that same dark path.

This thought-provoking, compulsive novel shows how a simple story has the power to move you in the most extraordinary ways. From Richard & Judy bestselling Catherine Ryan Hyde, perfect for fans of Mark Haddon, Mitch Albom and Alice Sebold. 'This gritty love story is compelling reading' -- Sun 'Surprisingly wonderful' -- Mirror 'Couldn't put it down' -- ***** Reader review 'Riveting' -- ***** Reader review 'Engrossing page turner' -- ***** Reader review 'Pure escapism from beginning to end' -- ***** Reader review 'A wonderful, wonderful read' -- ***** Reader review ************************************************************************** A CHANCE MEETING ON A TRAIN, AND TWO LIVES CHANGED FOREVER... Sebastian, at 17, has never eaten pizza, never been to school, never even hung out with other kids. He rides the subway at night to escape his father's strict, possessive parenting. Maria, 22 and mother to two young children, has just lost her job. Afraid to confess to her violent boyfriend, Maria resorts to riding the subway when he thinks she's at work. And then one night, on an empty train, Sebastian and Maria make eye contact . . .

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AS ELECTRIC GODThere's a split second between having it all, and losing everything.Hayden briefly has it all- a wife and daughter he adores and a baby on the way. But when his son dies at birth, a deep anger emerges, robbing Hayden of everything.Years on, Hayden is living in self-imposed exile. He's just lost his beloved dog and is now losing Laurel, the only woman he's loved since...But just as Hayden's rage rises again, a young figure from the past emerges, forcing him to re-visit his long-buried childhood...

Vida is 19 and has never had much of a life. Struggling along with a life-threatening heart condition, her whole life has been one long preparation for death. But suddenly she is presented with a donor heart, and just in time. Now she gets to do something she never imagined she'd have to do: live.Richard is a 36-year-old man who’s just lost his beloved wife, Lorrie, in a car accident. Still in shock and not even having begun the process of grieving, he is invited to the hospital to meet the young woman who received his wife’s donor heart.Vida takes one look at Richard and feels she’s loved him all her life. And tells him so. Richard assumes she’s just a foolish young girl. And maybe she is. Or maybe there’s truth behind the theory of cellular memory, and maybe it really is possible for a heart to remember, at least for a time, on its own.Second Hand Heart is both a story of having to learn to live for the first time, and having to learn to live all over again.

The book presents the private papers and letters of Maria Theresa Luisa of Savoy, Princess de Lamballe, who was a close confidante of Queen Marie Antoinette. Catherine Hyde, claiming to be the "Marquise de Gouvion Broglie Scolari," asserts she collected and annotated these documents, alleging she served as the princess's secretary and confidante. However, the authenticity of Catherine's identity raises intriguing questions, adding a layer of mystery to the narrative.

Die resolute Witwe Bea kommt finanziell gerade so über die Runden, bis sie einem Betrug zum Opfer fällt und plötzlich alles verliert. Entschlossen begibt sie sich in ihrem alten Lieferwagen auf die Reise, um sich das zurückzuholen, was ihr gehört – koste es, was es wolle.Unterdessen muss die aus gutem Hause kommende Allie mit ansehen, wie ihre Eltern wegen Steuerhinterziehung verhaftet werden. Daraufhin landet sie in einer Wohngruppe für Jugendliche und versucht verzweifelt, sich in ihrer neuen Realität zurechtzufinden. Dann begegnet Allie in einem Augenblick großer Not Bea und zwischen den beiden so unterschiedlichen Frauen beginnt eine Freundschaft, die sie die Welt mit den Augen der anderen sehen lässt. Doch gerade als Allie und Bea neuen Mut fassen können, schlägt das Schicksal wieder zu und beide müssen für ihr Glück kämpfen.

Dos extraños encuentran su antídoto perfecto para el miedo: la amabilidad. Raymond Jaffe siente que no encaja en ninguna parte: ni en casa, ni con la nueva familia de su madre, ni como invitado en el hogar de su padre, ni en el instituto, donde es un absoluto marginado. Cuando su mejor amigo se muda, Raymond piensa que solo le queda la gata callejera que ha domesticado. Hasta que un día una anciana llama a su puerta con una enigmática pregunta: ¿Has visto a Luis Vélez? Mildred Gutermann busca a su cuidador, que ha desaparecido. Ella salió de Alemania escapando de la persecución nazi hace ya muchas décadas, pero hoy se siente desolada en un entorno que cada vez se le hace más hostil. A sus noventa y dos años, lo único que se le ocurre es llamar a la puerta del vecino para pedir ayuda. Raymond responderá con fuerza, decidido a no permitir que se dé por vencida. Mildred, por su parte, querrá demostrar al joven que no se puede perder la esperanza cuando uno tiene a quien aferrarse. Y así, poco a poco, siguiendo la pista de Luis, una profunda e inesperada amistad florecerá entre ambos.

Der neue Roman der Bestseller-Autorin erzählt von Ethan, der die Sommerferien bei seinem ungeliebten Vater Noah verbringen muss. Als Noah verschwindet, begibt sich Ethan auf die Suche und muss sich sowohl in der Wildnis als auch mit den Verletzungen der Vergangenheit auseinandersetzen.

Ein berührender Roman von Catherine Ryan Hyde über Hoffnung und Freundschaft. Im Sommer 1969 flüchtet der 14-jährige Lucas in den Wald, wo er auf zwei Hunde und die Einsiedlerin Zoe trifft. Gemeinsam kämpfen sie gegen ihre inneren Dämonen und finden zurück ins Leben.

GRACETen-year-old Grace knows that her mum loves her, but her mum loves drugs too.THE PLANGrace bursts into Billy's life with a loud voice and a brave plan to get her mum clean. And it won't be easy, because they will have to confiscate the one thing her mum holds most dear .

In diesem berührenden Debüt von Catherine Ryan Hyde begibt sich Ella Ginsberg auf die verzweifelte Suche nach ihrem verschwundenen Bruder Simon. Während ihrer Reise durch die USA konfrontiert sie traumatische Kindheitserinnerungen und entdeckt unerwartete Stärke in sich selbst. Eine bewegende Geschichte über Geschwisterliebe und Resilienz.

Der neue bewegende Roman von #1-Kindle-Bestsellerautorin Catherine Ryan Hyde über die Macht der Freundschaft. Roseanna führt eine erfolgreiche Anwaltskanzlei in Manhattan. Doch als ihre beste Freundin unerwartet stirbt, will sie so wie bisher nicht weitermachen. Ohne Ziel fährt sie los und stößt in den Ausläufern der Adirondack Mountains auf eine alte Farm – den perfekten Ort, um ein neues Leben anzufangen. Doch das dazugehörende Stück Land steckt voller Möglichkeiten und Überraschungen, darunter eine Mutter mit ihrer kleinen Tochter, die hier unerlaubt wohnen. Obwohl Gesellschaft das Letzte ist, was Roseanna will, freundet sie sich mit den beiden an. Als Roseannas entfremdeter Sohn Lance auftaucht und sie in die Stadt zurückholen will, wird ihr klar, dass die Farm ihr vielleicht nicht die Einsamkeit bietet, die sie ursprünglich gesucht hat, sie aber viel mehr gefunden hat ...

Päťdesiatročný Hayden Reese vedie priemernú existenciu v zapadnutom kalifornskom mestečku. Vlastní zrub, priatelí sa so šerifom, má milenku a loveckého psa. A k tomu pár nevybavených účtov s Bohom, ktorý naňho naložil ťažšie bremeno, než je schopný uniesť. Kedysi veril, že môže mať všetko: milovanú ženu, zbožňovanú dcéru a radosť zo syna. Potom sa však začal jeho svet rúcať. Dávno sa prestal pýtať prečo a snažil sa zabudnúť. Bolestivá minulosť však z času na čas vyšľahne na povrch v záchvatoch neovládateľného hnevu, ktorý schladia iba mreže okresného väzenia. Až potom si uvedomí, že má jedinú možnosť: zmierenie. Len ak dokáže odpustiť nepriateľom a blízkym, sebe aj Bohu, nájde stratený pokoj...

Třináctiletá Abby žije s matkou a násilnickým otcem. Jednoho dne cestou ze školy domů zahlédne u řeky auto a muže, který do vody právě vhodil mrskající se pytel. Když odjede, Abby neváhá a pytel vytáhne. K jejímu velkému překvapení v něm najde sedm rozkošných štěňat. Sled událostí, které tím spustí, dramaticky změní život celé její rodiny.

Virginii konečně pozval Aaron na schůzku. Doufá, že bude s mladým vdovcem a jeho čtyřletým synem šťastná. V jediném tragickém okamžiku se však štěstí rozplyne. Virginia ani po dvaceti letech nedokáže zapomenout. Jednoho dne jejího zatoulaného psa dovede zpátky mladý muž a Virginia je jako u vytržení, protože si je jistá, že se jejich cesty kdysi dávno zkřížily

Seth a jeho brat Henry žijú v nestabilnej rodine, kde ich otec strieda pobyty vo väzení a na slobode, a matka ich opustila. Ich situácia sa zmení, keď August, ktorý prestal piť po smrti syna, zažije nečakané komplikácie na letnom výlete. Po poruche karavanu sa dostane do rúk automechanika, otca Setha a Henryho. Oprava je drahá, no August dostane ponuku vziať chlapcov so sebou na celé leto, čo mu umožní ušetriť peniaze na opravu. Tak sa trojica vydáva na dlhú cestu naprieč USA, kde spoločne objavujú svet a budujú silné priateľstvo. Príbeh zachytáva hľadanie miesta v živote troch postáv, ktoré sa snažia nájsť svoje šťastie počas prázdninového putovania po národných parkoch západu USA. Autorka Catherine Ryan Hydeová majstrovsky zobrazuje krehké charaktery týchto výnimočných, no nedokonalých postáv, ktoré sa snažia prežiť v neľútostnom svete. Dielo ponúka zamyslenie nad hodnotami rodiny a priateľstva a posiela čitateľom posolstvo, že dobrí ľudia sa objavujú v najneočakávanejších chvíľach.