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Different Kinds of Courage
When Jamie and Homer’s hobo mentor, Smilin’ Jack died of a heart attack before they got to New York City, he left a note telling them to take anything of his they needed. He also gave them his real name and an address in Indiana. Hoboes never give anyone their real names using nicknames called ‘monikers’ instead. Jamie and Homer decided Smilin’ Jack gave them that information because he wanted them to go to that address. What they were to do when they got there, he didn’t say.
Over objections of their parents, Jamie and Homer became hoboes again and caught out a freight train from western Iowa to Smilin’ Jack’s address in Indiana. The address was that of his parents and the boys discovered that Smilin’ Jack wanted them to tell his parents he’d died so they could bring closure to his life.
On their way back to Iowa, their train derailed and Homer was trapped under a boxcar. Jamie overcame his fear and rescued Homer. He then hitched them a ride to Big Lottie’s nightclub in Dubuque where she arranged to have doctors treat their injuries.
When the boys arrive home, Jamie begins studying with Mrs. Lilly using the books Sam gave him in New York. Mrs. Lilly discovers that Homer’s little brother, Wilbur has a gift for dance. Since she trained as a ballerina as a child, she began to teach Wilbur ballet and eventually makes arrangements for him to study ballet in New York City.
While Homer is telling stories, he has a stroke as a result of a previous injury and Dr. Wulfers arranges for him to be flown to New York City for brain surgery. While he recovers, he tells stories to the children in the hospital and at Wilbur’s ballet school.
In this third book of the series, Homer and Jamie face challenges that test their courage and bonds of friendship. In the end, they discover they have different kinds of courage they can call on when it’s needed most.
Over objections of their parents, Jamie and Homer became hoboes again and caught out a freight train from western Iowa to Smilin’ Jack’s address in Indiana. The address was that of his parents and the boys discovered that Smilin’ Jack wanted them to tell his parents he’d died so they could bring closure to his life.
On their way back to Iowa, their train derailed and Homer was trapped under a boxcar. Jamie overcame his fear and rescued Homer. He then hitched them a ride to Big Lottie’s nightclub in Dubuque where she arranged to have doctors treat their injuries.
When the boys arrive home, Jamie begins studying with Mrs. Lilly using the books Sam gave him in New York. Mrs. Lilly discovers that Homer’s little brother, Wilbur has a gift for dance. Since she trained as a ballerina as a child, she began to teach Wilbur ballet and eventually makes arrangements for him to study ballet in New York City.
While Homer is telling stories, he has a stroke as a result of a previous injury and Dr. Wulfers arranges for him to be flown to New York City for brain surgery. While he recovers, he tells stories to the children in the hospital and at Wilbur’s ballet school.
In this third book of the series, Homer and Jamie face challenges that test their courage and bonds of friendship. In the end, they discover they have different kinds of courage they can call on when it’s needed most.
291 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 12, 2017
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