In this gem of a novel, author Dale Howard tells the engaging story of Royal T. Ripley, a teenager who moves with his father to central Arizona and eventually finds spiritual wisdom. Howard deftly interweaves the mature Ripley's experiences of dealing with his beloved father's stroke and his boyhood memories of his friends Carole Ann "Cat" Terwilliger and her brother, Goody. The result is a satisfying and moving conclusion, with plenty of tight writing and finely drawn characters along the way.

This is a little book with a great big heart. It deserves a wide audience. Read it to understand the meaning of "Namaste."