Gemini Summer

In the quiet of Hog's Hollow, each member of the River family pursues a dream. Old Man River sets out to build a fallout shelter in case the war in Vietnam "brings the end of everything;" his wife Flo, who collects Gone with the Wind dolls, attempts to pen her own Southern saga; Beau, their older son, suffers from space fever and aspires to be an astronaut. As for Danny, the younger River boy, well, he just dreams of having a dog. Then in the spring of 1965 tragedy befalls the Rivers — a tragedy that makes the Old Man wish he'd never started building the shelter, stops Flo from finishing her bestseller, and leaves Beau grounded rather than airborne. But the tragedy does finally bring a dog into Danny's life. And not just any old dog. Danny comes to believe that the mixed-breed stray embodies the spirit of someone he dearly loves. He won't allow anyone to separate him from the dog, not even after it bites the neighborhood bully and the police are sent to take it away. Together Danny and his dog run off, heading toward Cape Caneveral, where the Gemini missions blast off from, and where dreams come true.

"Lawrence (Ghost Boy) creates a poignant family drama that will pull the heartstrings of anyone who has looked up to an older sibling or has fallen in love with a dog. The story opens in the summer of 1964 in rural Hog's Hollow and focuses on young Danny River, who longs for a dog but isn't allowed to have one. The other members of Danny's family have dreams of their own. His mother wants to write a novel. His older brother Beau wants to become an astronaut. His father, convinced that the Vietnam conflict is going to escalate into nuclear war, obsessively digs a fallout shelter in their front yard. Soon tragedy strikes: Beau falls into the dugout and dies. Danny will not be consoled until he becomes convinced that a bedraggled stray dog that arrives at the Rivers' door is his brother brought back to life. Readers will empathize with the young hero as he unsuccessfully tries to persuade his parents and others that what he believes about the dog is true. The book's sharply delineated characters and dramatic tension (much of it emanating from the villainous Creepy and Dopey Colvig) will keep pages turning, and the love among family members will be strongly felt. If some events (as when Danny meets Gus Grissom and rides in the famous astronaut's plane) appear a bit strained, they pave the way for a gratifying conclusion. Ages 8-12." Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"[A] good read with well drawn characters and many poignant passages." Children's Literature

"Adventure abounds....This robust novel offers an affirming and hopeful look at a difficult subject." School Library Journal

"This book will attract and hook middle school boys." VOYA

"This robust novel offers an affirming and hopeful look at a difficult subject." School Library Journal

"Lively prose, quirky characters and strong dialogue animate this moving story of a family and a boy, and an astronaut who sees the whole world as a miracle." Kirkus Reviews

When his dog bites the neighborhood bully and the police are sent to take it away, Danny and the dog run off, heading toward Cape Canaveral, where the Gemini missions blast off from, and where dreams come true.

Iain Lawrence is a journalist, travel writer, and avid sailor, and the author of many acclaimed novels, including Ghost Boy, Lord of the Nutcracker Men, and the High Seas Trilogy: The Wreckers, The Smugglers, and The Buccaneers. The author lives in Gabriola Island, B.C..