In this warm coming‑of‑age story, city boy Didway “Did” Hargis is taken in by the rough‑and‑ready Sparks family after being rescued from bullies in their Kentucky mountain community. Living with Peg and Arn Sparks and their son Sparkie, Did learns to embrace rural Appalachian life—spending days working the land, hunting with hound dogs, and gaining confidence and resilience through hard physical tasks and friendship. His transformation from a sheltered “town” boy into someone strong, capable, and connected to the land and people around him is at the heart of the story.