In 1914, from out of the blue, Evan Bryant's mother gets a letter that shocks her, but delights Evan. Evan's grandfather, who abandoned Evan's mother when she was three years old, and who was supposed to be dead, is very much alive and would like to come visit her. Mrs. Bryant doesn't know how she feels about learning that she still has a father after all. But Evan knows exactly how he feels about suddenly having a grandfather, especially one who was a sailor on all the Seven Seas. What stories he will have to tell! And Evan is sure that his grandfather will talk to him about things that his father doesn't care about. And help him build a boat. And take him fishing. Just tons of things, if only his mother will agree to let him come.

She leaves it to her husband, who decides that he will allow the old man to visit the family. He says that he wants to hear him explain why he abandoned his daughter. And when the old man arrives, that's exactly what Mr. Bryant asks him. He isn't even polite about it. Evan's mother tells her husband that she has forgiven her father, and she tries to change the subject. But Mr. Bryant is a selfish man who is concerned only with what a fine deacon he is at church and what a fine shoe store he owns. He doesn't understand that he's being mean.

Evan loves his grandfather and wants him to live with them forever. But Mr. Bryant tells the old man that he thinks a week will be more than enough time spent at their house. How much can Evan and his grandfather pack into one week? How does the old man change the lives of his daughter and grandson? Most important of all, why has he really come to visit and what are his secrets? How will they impact on his family? Can the act of forgiveness make things right for Evan, his parents, and his grandfather?

   --- Reviewed by Tamara Penny