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The Old Man and the Girl
While on a church invite to an upcoming revival the assistant pastor and two children encounter a cantankerous old man sitting on his front porch swing. The old man demands that they stay off his property. He is not interested in what they have to say. Against the wishes of the assistant pastor twelve-year-old Emily Teagle strode up to the front porch to give the man a religious track. In anger, the man throws the track on the floor. The assistant pastor takes Emily’s hand and they leave.
Emily returns the next day and offers to cut the man’s grass. At first, he refuses, but she is relentless. Later, she learns that his name is Buck. Through her stubbornness a close relationship begins to form. As time goes by Emily learns of the man’s fractured life that has brought him to where he is. With her help and a determination to follow God’s leading she sets out to help Buck mend his life. For a time, things go well, but then tragedy strikes and it seems that Buck’s past is about to repeat itself.
Emily returns the next day and offers to cut the man’s grass. At first, he refuses, but she is relentless. Later, she learns that his name is Buck. Through her stubbornness a close relationship begins to form. As time goes by Emily learns of the man’s fractured life that has brought him to where he is. With her help and a determination to follow God’s leading she sets out to help Buck mend his life. For a time, things go well, but then tragedy strikes and it seems that Buck’s past is about to repeat itself.
- GenresChristian Fiction
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2017
103 people are currently reading
372 people want to read
About the author
Gary M. Martin
19 books29 followersI was born in Alabama but spent my years as a toddler up to age 13 in Baltimore, MD. Then my family moved back to Alabama.
After high school, I joined the Air Force, where I spent five and a half years. Two and a half of those years I spent in Misawa, Japan.
After the Air Force, I went into the electrical business. I became a foreman and received a Georgia state license.
I started writing books several years ago. It was a rocky start. I made some mistakes. But I learned.
As of May 2nd, 2025, I am offering a complimentary eBook, "The Nexus", to everyone who signs up for my newsletter.
This is NOT Nexus. That is an older book that is no longer in print.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/s...
After high school, I joined the Air Force, where I spent five and a half years. Two and a half of those years I spent in Misawa, Japan.
After the Air Force, I went into the electrical business. I became a foreman and received a Georgia state license.
I started writing books several years ago. It was a rocky start. I made some mistakes. But I learned.
As of May 2nd, 2025, I am offering a complimentary eBook, "The Nexus", to everyone who signs up for my newsletter.
This is NOT Nexus. That is an older book that is no longer in print.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/s...
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 6, 2018
I receiv3ed this book via a goodreads giveaway.
I wanted it to break the monotony of what I had been reading and this sounded like a feel good book to me. Upon reading it, I felt that it was a second or third draft; good, but not quite there. Don’t get me wrong, this book is on the right track; it just needs tweaking here and there. Please note, the fact that this is Christian fiction has nothing to do with this review.
The book is about an angry, old man who wants simply to be alone in his anger and a young girl who thinks he needs more. I felt it moved too fast through the course of the little girl wearing him down. What I did like about the book is that the author sees people, even self proclaimed Christians as fallible.
If this book was rewritten and lengthened in places, I would definitely reread it!
I wanted it to break the monotony of what I had been reading and this sounded like a feel good book to me. Upon reading it, I felt that it was a second or third draft; good, but not quite there. Don’t get me wrong, this book is on the right track; it just needs tweaking here and there. Please note, the fact that this is Christian fiction has nothing to do with this review.
The book is about an angry, old man who wants simply to be alone in his anger and a young girl who thinks he needs more. I felt it moved too fast through the course of the little girl wearing him down. What I did like about the book is that the author sees people, even self proclaimed Christians as fallible.
If this book was rewritten and lengthened in places, I would definitely reread it!
September 6, 2019
Helping a family reunite.
A delightful story about Emily, a thirteen year old girl and Buck, a bitter old man who is known around town as being mean spirited. Emily sets out to be a good neighbor and with help from her pastor, her family, some town people and God she breaks down his bitterness by visiting him and never giving up. She helps to reunite him with his daughter and granddaughter. A bad car accident helps to open Buck's heart to God and his family, the church and town people.
A delightful story about Emily, a thirteen year old girl and Buck, a bitter old man who is known around town as being mean spirited. Emily sets out to be a good neighbor and with help from her pastor, her family, some town people and God she breaks down his bitterness by visiting him and never giving up. She helps to reunite him with his daughter and granddaughter. A bad car accident helps to open Buck's heart to God and his family, the church and town people.
September 8, 2019
The title says it all
A clean story written on a teen level, rather easy to follow.
It has a religious and spiritual tone but no clear presentation of the gospel nor any bible verses, however, the Good Samaritan story is well explained.
The book has quite a few FILLER words that could have been left out, but overall, a pleasant read.
A clean story written on a teen level, rather easy to follow.
It has a religious and spiritual tone but no clear presentation of the gospel nor any bible verses, however, the Good Samaritan story is well explained.
The book has quite a few FILLER words that could have been left out, but overall, a pleasant read.
October 21, 2019
Enjoyed this book but found that 3/4 into the book it started to drag on and on. The relationship that the old man and the 12/13 year old had was very nice. The old man needed a friend although he didn't think so. The ending was tense but very good.
January 15, 2020
Started reading for a time filler
After a couple of chapters in, I could hardly lay the book down. The amount of feeling that I got from the story brought tears to my eyes many times. Thank you for a great story that glorifies God and his power over our lives.😃
After a couple of chapters in, I could hardly lay the book down. The amount of feeling that I got from the story brought tears to my eyes many times. Thank you for a great story that glorifies God and his power over our lives.😃
April 4, 2023
A nice story about the kindness of one young girl and the impact that has on an elderly man. The book seems more geared toward pre-teens than adults. I agree with another reviewer that the writing could have been tighter but all in all a good read.
May 5, 2018
Buck and Emily
A very unlikely old man and young girl formed a friendship. Through laughter and sadness, good and bad times, God works through Emily to heal old hurts
A very unlikely old man and young girl formed a friendship. Through laughter and sadness, good and bad times, God works through Emily to heal old hurts
August 28, 2019
The Old man and the girl.
This book just spoke to me. One of the best stories I read. Book of faith
And emotional. I would recommend this.
This book just spoke to me. One of the best stories I read. Book of faith
And emotional. I would recommend this.
September 7, 2019
A good read, of how old and young can enjoy and live life together
April 14, 2020
Endearing story line.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2020
Sweet
I liked the characters and the story. Clean and inspiring . I hope to read more by Gary Martin !
I liked the characters and the story. Clean and inspiring . I hope to read more by Gary Martin !
September 25, 2021
Great book
July 3, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's written in more a teen/young adult manner. Loved the storyline and it was nice reading a Christian book. I am passing this along to someone else to read.
December 19, 2023
Interesting book, enjoyed reading it.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews