Take Me With You Paperback – July 22, 2014

This read was different and spectacular. The character August becomes a father again, figuratively, by being forced to take two young strangers, Seth and Henry, with him on his summer vacation, honoring his dead son. All three characters learn to trust and love each other beyond their widest comprehensions. The boys fill the voids in August's life and August fills the voids in the boy's life. It's sad, moving and tells the story of paying something forward even through learning to maneuver around one's physical problems.

I really like the author's style and simple dialog. The first half of the book was great. The second half might have been interesting as a second book. As it is, it went on and on too much. The issue of resolution with the boys' father was never made and there was a bit too much of emotional, but stilted, conversation. Two teens and their loved mentor would seem odd making this type of conversation.

I did not want to like this cotton-pickin' book. I did not want to become all wet-faced and drippy nosed while reading about a bereaved father taking his son's ashes to Yellowstone. I did not want my throat to hurt because I was trying not to shed tears when a young boy reached up his hand and took the hand of the adult man. I did not want to just blubber when the same small boy took the ashes of a young person that he had never known and carefully placed them in a lake in Yellowstone. I did not want to read how two little boys whose father is in jail.....for the umpteenth time on a DUI charge.....would touch the life of the bereaved father, and they his and then get misty eyed. I just don't do that! Well, guess what. I did all of the above, really enjoyed reading the book, and had no problem giving it 5*s.The book was well written, well edited and was a whopper of an emotional story. It is a book that would be an excellent read for YA and up. Well, those big Tarzan type guys or gang bangers would probably not like it, but I am pretty sure there are bunches of people on this planet that would read it once, maybe twice and give it 5*s. I don't give many books this rating, but I couldn't see not doing so.August Schroeder is a somewhat burned out high school science teacher. He always travels in his motor home in the summertime. He used to travel with his wife and son Phillip, but one day his world was smashed to smithereens. His son and wife went shopping and his son never returned. The two were in a traffic accident and the son was killed. August and his wife divorced, and now he is alone except for his faithful friend, Woody. Woody is a very lovable dog boy that is a constant companion when August travels. August is on his way to Yellowstone to sprinkle some of his son's ashes in the park when the motor home breaks down. His few days in a small town talking with and waiting for a mechanic to finish the repairs on his coach change his life forever. The mechanic, a father who is an alcoholic on his way to jail and his two young boys really change August's life, and theirs too, forever.Long story short. Along the way to Yellowstone, August suddenly finds himself with the two young boys as his traveling companions. The threesome, no make that foursome 'cause Woody counts too, have an awesome time together. No, it is not a perfect journey, but it is awesome. They have lots of ups and downs, sprinkle Phillips ashes in a number of places with some powerful heart wrenching moments. Try it, you'll like it. No, it is not a Sunday School kind of book. However, it is entertaining, even educational in a human nature kind of way, and if you do not like it....well, phooey on you! I did, and I almost quit reading after the first chapter because I thought it did not have mystery, suspense and was not a thriller.....my usual kind of reading. Well, I was wrong. It had all of the above; however, not the kind that one usually thinks of. The mystery of what path August would take concerning taking on the sole responsibility of two young boys that he did not know.....the suspense of what would happen at the end of the summer when it was time for the father to get out of jail and resume his responsibility......and the suspense of what the ending would be. Would it be joyous or would it be sad.A lot happens in the course of 8+ years. The boys grow into manhood, August is faced with his own personal demons, and you will just have to read the book to find out what transpires.

The author has done it again. Written a good coming of age story. For everyone concerned. The author need to keep on writing these stories.

* warning: Review containers some small spoilers.When his RV breaks down one summer and is towed to a repair shop, August Shroeder, a high school science teacher, has no idea how his life is about to change. It soon becomes apparent that the shop owner, Wes, has something he wants to ask of August. Wes wants August to take his two boys, Seth, aged 12, and Henry, aged 7, on his road trip to visiti national parks for the summer while Wes does 90 days in jail. The boys have nowhere else to go and will end up in county custody if August does not take them. August can see they are good boys who get along well with his dog, Woody. Seth, while talkative, is thoughtful and courteous, and Henry just doesn't talk. August wants to say no to the idea but instead finds himself agreeing to the arrangement, and once the agreement is made, it cannot be undone.August is still reeling from the loss of his 19-year old son, Phillip, and is a recovering alcoholic. He has some of Phillip's ashes along to scatter in his final destination, Yosemite Park.It soon becomes clear that the boys' father is in jail not for writing bad checks as he claimed but for his fourth DUI and the jail sentence is actually longer than Wes had told August initially. As August and the boys visit national parks such as Bryce Canyon and Yosemite, August finds himself growing attached to the boys. When he has to return the boys to their father, he is disappointed that the boys don't keep in better touch as the years go by.After years pass, August's health begins to decline, and he is no longer able safely drive his rig around the country every summer. He will have to sell it and offers it first to the oldest boy, Seth, whom he met 8 years ago. Seth, now in college and an avid climber, agrees to buy the RV from August. When August meets the boys for the first time in over 8 years, they insist on taking him on a road trip with them over the summer with a special end destination in mind.I loved this book. All the characters are thoughtful and well-developed. I liked how well August, Seth, and Henry communicated among one another. I did guess the final end destination of the second road trip, but there are enough twists in the story to keep it interesting. This was a thoughtful, poignant story, and I enjoyed the descriptions of the national parks as well.

This was a beautiful read . Hyde’s writing Is very perceptive and almost prose like In some cases. She has a very good knowledge of boys at 10 or 7 as I perceived Seth and Henry were at the beginning of her book I would recommend this book to anyone who just needs a well written story to give you. Hope and compassion for our world as it is now. Carol Mellon

I've only just found this author - I am glad I did! She brings her characters alive, good story line. Well worth the read, If you enjoy Jodi Picoult then you'll love her books too.

An extraordinary book. It still lingers on.

Livro muito interessante, uma história de tirar o fôlego.

Ho scoperto questa autrice di cui cercherò altri libri. Mi è piaciuto molto la storia raccontata in modo semplice ed emozionante, con risvolti introspettivi molto reali e interessanti per il modo semplice e profondo con cui vengono affrontati.