Summers Run: An American Boyhood

by James Cotton

Overview

Eleven-year-old Claude Kinkade considers himself an orphan of sorts. His father, Major Blake Kinkade, died in the Gulf War, 1991. Now single, Claude's mother Daisy, moves to Las Vegas to pursue a singing career, leaving Claude with relatives on a Pennsylvania farm.

In Pennsylvania, Claude meets his illustrious cousin, Nathean Summers, a former child actor and television star. Nathe first appeared before the cameras in 1954 at age eight. His meteoric rise toward stardom sputtered; by the late 1960s his films were forgotten. After a turbulent career in publishing, he returns to the family farm to recover remnants of his boyhood and begin life anew in Summers Run.

Claude's and Nathe's lives entwine as they forge their futures, and together, they form a Little League team for the farm boys of the township. Soon they encounter Standing Ovation, the legendary bull of the neighborhood; Parsimonious Murphy, the reluctant recluse; and Tim Hathaway, the deaf orphan who wants to shine in center field.

Claude thrives on his aunt's farm, taking on chores, responsibilities, and "making a hand" around the place. However, Claude's mother expects Claude to move to Nevada to be with her and her parents, now retired from the USAF. Whose wisdom will decide his future?

The story of Claude and Nathe depicts the dreams and realities of coaching and parenting along the back roads of rural America and especially Summers Run.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440173622
Publisher:	iUniverse, Incorporated
Publication date:	10/16/2009
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	300
File size:	362 KB

About the Author

Novelist. Currently working on my series, Summers Run: An American Boyhood, set in contemporary Pennsylvania. A "feel good" read from where I was raised. Return to Summers Run will be published soon.

Interests include country living and lifestyles, rural themes and issues, family farms, sustainable agriculture, Little League baseball, grandparenting, birdwatching, back roads, and books relating to interesting firearms, the "new west", outdoor activities and treks/travel, child actors of the past. Like art featuring landscapes, Americana, American primitive/outsider art. Musical tastes include classical, new age, and bluegrass.

Former editor of farm magazines and a livestock photographer. I maintain a website at www.alongcountryroads.com and blogs at http://summersrun.wordpress.com and afeelgoodnovel.blogspot.com

I collect diecast vehicles related to farming, and enjoy cooking, carpentry, and home improvement. My wife and I live in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana. We have four sons and two grandchildren.