Book excerpt: Huckleberry Heart is an autobiographical narrative of growing up in a small Midwestern town on the banks of the Mississippi River during the 1930s and 1940s. The book starts with the author taking an early morning drive back to the place of his birth and to the places that were important during his childhood. As the day progresses, he relates stories that are evoked by memories at each stop. Huckleberry Heart appeals to all age groups, especially older adults with nostalgic memories of those frighteningly hectic yet exciting days of World War II. It accurately documents the 1940s with references to war news, bobby socks, zoot suits, hepcats, radio serials, scrap drives, and gasoline rationing, all woven into the exciting adventures and escapades of young boys. Those that have read and enjoyed Huckleberry Finn or Tom Sawyer will also find Huckleberry Heart a very enjoyable and entertaining book.