
Reminiscent of "The Outsiders" and "All the Pretty Horses," Smith debuts with a story of a group of friends--teenage cowboys who live in ranch country--and a summer that changes their lives forever.

The summer before Troy Stotts turns seventeen, his mother dies. Communicating with his father mostly by notes, Troy spends his time with his friends: Tom Buller, brash and fearless; Gabe Benavidez, smart enough to know he'll never take over the family ranch; and Gabe's sister,...

