Tom Gnagey

And Then There Was Arnie Tom Gnagey

This novel for adults and young adults, set in small town, 1940s, features Craigy - a loveable boy genius, orphaned at two and raised by a remarkable older, uneducated couple, and Arnie, an elderly, quiet, unschooled, though wise and caring, mountain man. He preferred the life of the hermit and lived in his log cabin on the bend in the river with his two mules. The story explores the fascinating influences they had on each other. Craigy wanted most of all to be just a regular 9-year-old. "I prayed every night to wake up just average - a little taller and a whole lot dumber. It didn't happen." It poses a thought-provoking juxtaposition of Craigy the kid and Craigy the genius. His time with Arnie came as close to feeling normal as he would ever know. > "Applies s a permanent smile, punctuated with laughs, a few tears, and a philosophic challenge at every corner."