Randy, Walter, and Rex
by
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Randy is eleven. His mother says he’s at an in-between age; too old for childish toys and too young for teenage activities. By this, Randy thought she meant girls, and if so, she was right. He was not interested.
He was also not interested in sports, neither playing, watching, or talking about them. This left the only gap between Randy and his best friend, Walter. Walter wore a baseball cap and to Randy’s amazement, he actually cared which team it represented. He could talk on and on about different players and their statistics. He had to be on his couch, at home, to watch almost every game, for which he could recite the TV time schedule. This sometimes created lonely hours for Randy, waiting for Walter’s company. Despite this difference, Walter and Randy were real buddies. They were the kind of friends who could be together and talk about anything that came into their minds, or just be together and not say anything at all. They could be seen hanging out, or walking aimlessly around together seemingly content just to be in each other’s company. Growing tired and impatient with waiting, Randy was considering going over and knocking on Walter’s door when finally, Walter lumbered out. His face looked serious as he shuffled toward his waiting best friend. His shoulders were stooped over and his hands were shoved to the bottom of his pockets. He did not appear, as Randy expected, ready to lead them into a day of fun ahead. “Hi,” Walter mumbled in a low voice as he approached. “What kept you?” Randy’s voice noticeably upbeat from Walter’s. “My mom had to talk to me after breakfast.” He was mumbling in such a low tone his voice could hardly be heard. “She’s signed me up for summer camp.” “You’re kidding!” Randy was trying to mentally digest what this news meant to his own summer. “I wish I was. She didn’t even ask me. She said it was to be a surprise. I don’t think she understands; you don’t plan someone else’s life!” He hesitated a moment before adding, “I don’t want to go!” His voice had risen as he emotionally protested his predicament.
Formats Book Details Randy and Walter, two city boys finishing out their last year in elementary school are looking forward to kicking back for a long quiet summer vacation, just hanging around home and the park. Walter, the leader of the two, and quiet Randy, the follower, each have mothers with more ambitious plans that will send the friends off to learn about nature and themselves. They will be far from the city and much to their dismay, each other. The unforeseen events of the summer bring the boys tragedy, learning, and maturing that ultimately brings life changes. In this realistic story readers will feel for the characters and relate to the events that shape their lives. Experiences with young people, while teaching in the classroom, bring a reality to the characters in Mr. Mostoller’s books. A thirty-five-year-veteran teacher, holding a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, he has had the pleasure of working with literally thousands of young people. Making his home in north-central While enjoying his years of teaching, an interest has been watching young people choose books to read. He has been fascinated with the structure of a good book, especially in developing realistic characters to be identified with, in experiences as real as life. From the characters’ stories in his other books To Catch a Falling Star and Lisa’s Lifeline to his latest characters in Randy, Walter, and Rex good things can be drawn, like the importance of family, honesty, and overcoming life’s problems, all in a story that holds the reader from start to finish.
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