"That afternoon, I stood in Grandma's yard and watched my dad drive away. Dust rose up behind our car as it disappeared into the pines."
NICKY AT THE END
Now you'll always be part of the river.
Just like you, Grandma. A river rat.
• does not want to go to his Grandma's house for the summer • wants to watch TV all summer • upset that he has to do chores • mad that he can't catch a fish
• enjoys river life and bonding with his Grandma • starts to respect and understand nature and animals • learns to like drawing/sketching • becomes a 'river rat'