Waiting For Augusta
Available in Hardcover/Paperback
Available in Audiobook
*A Junior Library Guild Selection
*A Scholastic Teacher Magazine Favorite Back-to-School Read
"Colorful, quirky, and full of heart, with an ending readers won’t forget."
- Ingrid Law, Newbery Honor-winning author of Savvy, Scumble, and Switch
"A whimsical, heartwarming, multilayered story about finding grace enough to accept the flaws in those we
love and courage enough to act from our most deeply held beliefs."
- Kirkus Reviews
"This moving and emotional coming-of-age story tackles themes of racism, friendship, and growing up. . . . An absorbing work of historical fiction."
- School Library Journal
"Lawson makes skillful and powerful use of magical realism to approach a host of topics... the journey to Augusta and its accompanying perils will
keep readers turning pages, while Ben's inner journey to making peace with his father packs an emotional wallop and Noni's backstory--revealed
with an effective twist--is poignant and memorable... Insightful, humorous, and deeply moving, this novel is one for a kiddo needing a miracle,
or just a really meaningful read."
- Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books
A month ago, Ben Putter’s dad died, and (crazy idea or not) Ben’s certain the lump in his throat is actually a golf ball. The lump won’t go away and it turns out Dad’s not quite gone either. Still warm in his urn, Ben’s father suddenly speaks up to ask why he’s in Alabama instead of sprinkled on Augusta National Golf Club's 18th hole, the way he always wanted.
Ben might be going a little crazy, but escaping Hilltop, Alabama, sounds like a darn good idea (and just maybe it will make that lump go away). As he makes his way to Georgia, Ben partners up with a mysterious runaway named Noni, and they embark on a journey full of adventures at every turn.
Between Dad nagging to be put to rest, Noni keeping suspiciously tight-lipped about her past, security patrolling at all hours during the famed Masters tournament, and the lump in his throat staying put, creeping onto Augusta National may not be as easy as Ben originally thought. And letting go of a Dad who’s finally listening is going to be even harder.