Book excerpt: When sixty-year-old Mr. Papino moved in next door to twelve-year-old Kyle's home in a small town in Illinois, everything changed for the better! Mr. P had an old house with one of those wrap-around front porches, and here is where the magic begins and happens! In this story, the nostalgia of the good old days is almost supernatural, as each day brings excitement to a little world that centers around Mr. P's famous front porch and the garage where he works. Here, all the kids from the neighborhood would congregate--even if he wasn't with them! It was a time of fun and adventure that every boy yearns for. While with them, Jose Papino would share stories about his life as a real cowboy in Spain! There, Kyle and his friends would learn all about life, earning money, and being an entrepreneur while contributing to the community and the church and making their neighborhood something right out of the dreams of yesteryear! Each day brings excitement, adventure, life lessons, and, of course, Mr. Papino's puppy dog named Pepe, or Peppy, is along for the ride! This book is for all ages, and in twenty-seven chapters, it chronicles the last year of Kyle's youth, as he goes from being a twelve-year-old to a real teenager! In parallel, Peppy the puppy goes from being a puppy to an adult dog! Be prepared to be enveloped in this front porch world of wonder, fun, nostalgic magic, and page-turning excitement!