Middle grade novel based in Alabama 1972. The book opens with 11 year old Benjamin Putter worried about a golf ball stuck in his throat. The story is about grief, friendship, second chances, facing your fears, understanding, forgiveness, as well as golf, BBQ, pigs, chickens, and trains. Lots of adventure, a little bit of mystery, and a few tears. Ben seeks the approval of his father and I liked the quote, "I wondered if Daddy knew how much power was in his sighs, even his dead ones." Lightly touches on 1972 desegregation with lingering tensions throughout the story. The ending is great and I can imagine this being a movie on the big screen someday. "Some things are true whether other people believe you or not." ( )

I know nothing about golf. Who would have guessed that I would read a book about golf? And...believe it or not...love it.

There is just something about an author who writes about her passion that appeals to us readers. And that is true whether or not we have the same passions.

Jessica Lawson (quite obviously) loves golf. She shares so much she loves in this book. And she is spot on in depicting a sadly-gone-wrong dad-son relationship.

There's so much more. It sounds fantastic, but there's an urn of ashes that guides our main character and a mysterious girl who tags along and a chorus of other non-human commentators...oh, for goodness sakes, just go read this book. It's very, very good. ( )