Jacob Stevens, a transplanted southerner who grew up in the Jim Crow South, but now living in the Pennsylvania Laurel Highlands, on his 59th birthday, is invited to attend his 40th high school reunion. Jacob, who married a northerner and adopted three African-American children, realizes that the reunion committee, however, neglected to invite the African-American half of his class. This sparks an avalanche of painful nostalgia as he tries to cope with his own desire to return to the South and attend this reunion. Suddenly Jacob feels homesick and homeless, and guilty for feeling this way-all at the same time. His story is the same as millions of rootless, homeless Americans who grew up in the turbulent last half of the 20th century. Jacob"s final triumph over the past, his realization that love has rewritten his past as well as changed his future, will encourage all Americans as they move into the 21st Century. The narrative touched me deeply . . . it deals with repulsive issues that most of us have attempted to whitewash. However, much like a rainbow after a cleansing rainstorm, there is a message of hope and of healing that is honest and beautiful. It really is a powerful story. -Julie Braswell, Educator The literary metaphors add so much to the book-The various elements of the novel are united by a central theme that is both powerful and endearing. -Alouette Greenidge, Homeschool Student