When Ross dies, Blake, Sim, and Kenny are angry that all these people grieve at his funeral but don't really care. They want to do something that will honor their friend in the best way, in a way no one else could. The plan begins as an act of graffiti, when they violate the homes of the people they are enraged at for how they treated their deceased friend. But after that, a brilliant idea unfolds, and they decide to steal his ashes and bring them to the small village called Ross, a place their friend had never gotten the chance to visit. Their two-day trip turns into so much more, as the boys work for honor, but then struggle with the accident. Not everything is as it seems, and Ross's case is no different. All in the backdrop of losing someone close, these young boys work to do what they can for not just Ross, but for their own peace and acceptance.
The three friends in this novel are slowly coming to accept that their fourth best friend is gone forever. As teenagers, this fact is hard to face, especially since the bond of friendship between the bunch was so close. The trip they take is one that will help them come to face reality as well as accept the hardships of life in such an epic adventure. Keith Gray's form of his characters is wonderful, as are his humorous writing style and his clever idea for a story. This is a story of adventure, friendship, loyalty, and acceptance, and anyone who could use a little of any of those would enjoy it.
- Date of Review: July 10, 2010
- Publisher: Random House
- Release Date: March 23, 2010