Thirteen-year-old Jay West is happy living in the city and doing as much of nothing as he can. His young life consists mostly of riding his bike, reading comic books, hanging out with his friends and occasionally working a part time job as a paper route substitute, what he hates. His mother, who is not impressed with Jay’s lifestyle, arranges for him to spend a summer with his two elderly great uncles “up north.” Resistant at first, Jay begrudgingly agrees to try it and see what it would be like. His Uncles’ place, named Hoot Owl Hollow, is located on Lake Muckawini and near the small town of Wakanda, Wisconsin. Initially very skeptical and unimpressed with some of the primitive facilities, Jay quickly meets a number of interesting characters, makes new friends and experiences a number of new and unique experiences in the great outdoors. Young Jay ends up spending two summers at Hoot Owl Hollow, having some fun and learning about nature, fishing and a little bit about life itself.

Bridges to the Past is an anthology of short stories involving Appalachian Mountain humor and serious events that profoundly affected the life of a boy and influenced him prodigiously as an adult. Chapter I, "The Whimper Carter Tales" portrays, in a vivid manner, the art of storytelling. It brings the reader vis-a-vis with Winfrey "Whimper" Carter who epitomized Appalachian storytelling and imagination. Imagine a preacher re-learning profanity because a lawnmower will not start. Alternatively, a teenager thinking a snake bites him when he was actually shot. Humor is to life what blood is to the heart, and Chapter I contains a huge dose of humor. In addition, it's interspersed with historical facts which provide interesting reading. Chapter II, "A Lad's Heroes" is a poignant true story of a small boy who develops a her worship for two older cousins who served with Airborne units in World War II. This hero worship leads the lad into the United States Army and the Airborne. He, too, becomes a paratrooper as a memorial to his relatives, one who was killed in action at the Battle of the Bulge. It is a story that any combat veteran or those interested in military history will enjoy. Chapter III, "A Towheaded Boy and a Fifty-Dollar Rooster" is an equally emotional story that contains some levity. This chapter describes the love and devotion that can develop between a boy and his pets. it further denotes how experiences in childhood may affect a person for life. Chapter IV, "The Day of the Sermon" is a fictional account of a historical episode that shows the suffering of slaves in the ante-bellum South without being academic. It also deals with a devout preacher having the courage to challenge the slave holders in his congregation to determine a way to free those in bondage. Chapter IV invites people to examine the memories of slavery and its effect on this nation. Chapter V, "The Taking of a Deer" is a serious historical fiction account based on a true story of an underdog who was defended in court, gratis, by a wealthy and influential lawyer who once served as a Governor of Tennessee. It demonstrates that the laws of God and commons sense can prevail over laws and justice can be served to the underprivileged. Chapter VI, "The Uncle Cad Tales" depicts humans as they actually exist. This entire chapter consists of humorous tales spoken by a real character who has never received any attention other than through those who have known him. Overall, Bridges is a book that will be enjoyable to people of both sexes and all ages. Everyone, regardless of social status, will find something in Bridges that is fulfilling. It is down-to-earth and involves people who are not rich or famous, but who are very entertaining.