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Updated November 19, 2003
River Boy, by Tim Bowler (Junior/Young Adult)
When Jess’ beloved grandfather has a heart attack, he insists that they take him to his boyhood town to live out the remainder of his life and finish a painting he has been struggling over, “River Boy”. Jess’ parents rent a cabin close to the river Grandpa grew up on, and close to a childhood friend, Alfred, and incessant talker. As Grandpa tries to use his ever-decreasing strength to paint, Jess supports him in every way she knows how. She also explores the river, and encounters a superb natural swimmer like herself. The swimmer challenges Jess through his actions to swim to the sea, an act her Grandpa always wanted to achieve. As she takes up the challenge, she races against the obstacles of the river and her Grandpa’s impending death. Somehow the river, the river boy and her Grandpa are joined, and her accepting of the challenge is a gift to her Grandpa.