Waiting for Augusta

by Jessica Lawson

From the author of The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher and Nooks & Crannies comes a “whimsical, heartwarming,” ( Kirkus Reviews ) and profound tale of love, loss, and family.

Eleven-year-old Benjamin Putter has a lump in his throat, and he’s certain it’s a golf ball. He knows it sounds crazy, but everything’s been topsy-turvy since his father died last month. And he doesn’t know how to fix it.

Then, one day, something starts tugging at Ben, telling him to hurry to Augusta, Georgia—home of the most famous golf course in the world.

Ben might be going a little crazy, but escaping Hilltop, Alabama, sounds like a darn good idea. (And just maybe it will make that lump go away.) As he makes his way to Augusta, Ben partners up with a mysterious runaway named Noni, and they embark on a journey full of strange and wonderful surprises—and possibly magic—at every turn.

Genres: Middle Grade, Sports, Juvenile, Childrens, Family, Audiobook, Young Adult

352 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 10, 2016

About the author

Jessica Lawson currently lives in Pennsylvania. She likes pizza. A lot. Her middle grade books are published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

She fell in love with books at a young age. That love hasn't changed a bit.

She writes middle grade fiction, lots of to-do lists, and songs about lost socks.

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know nothing about golf. Who would have guessed that I would read a book about golf? And...believe it or not...love it.

There is just something about an author who writes about her passion that appeals to us readers. And that is true whether or not we have the same passions.

Jessica Lawson (quite obviously) loves golf. She shares so much she loves in this book. And she is spot on in depicting a sadly-gone-wrong dad-son relationship.

There's so much more. It sounds fantastic, but there's an urn of ashes that guides our main character and a mysterious girl who tags along and a chorus of other non-human commentators...oh, for goodness sakes, just go read this book. It's very, very good.

[Annelisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great book!

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waiting for Augusta is the third book by Jessica Lawson that I've read and enjoyed, the others being Nooks and Crannies and The Actual & Truthful Adventures of Becky Thatcher. Waiting for Augusta takes place in rural Alabama during 1972 and touches on the topics of racism, integration of schools and the grief of coming to terms with the death of a parent. It's part adventure story, but also an interesting examination of Ben and his father's relationship through their many conversations they have along the way to Augusta. There is magic to the story, in that Ben's speaking to his father, who has passed away and who's ashes are being kept in an urn. Lots of things "speak" to Ben during the story, some quite entertaining too. The magic seems to make it easier to approach the topic of a parents death. I really got caught up in Ben and his dad's story, with how Ben had always felt like he wasn't living up to his dad's expectations for him. How Ben felt like his dad loved golf more than him. I really felt for Ben and his unresolved feelings, for all the things that he had wanted to say to his father before he died. They have some very touching moments where they get to have the conversations they both need to hear. I'm not ashamed to say a few tears were cried. One of my favorite quotes is when Ben says, "If only I could find a way to let the dark, heavy memories go. Watch them drift away like colored balloons that would fade and disappear into the midnight sky." I'm a firm believer in the importance of not assuming that people know how you feel, and always telling the people who are important to you just how important they are. Ben also struggled with feeling like he had let his friend May down when she was being bullied at school. Yet, witnessing a protest of students being bused into a school in Georgia, Ben's eyes open to how May must have felt and he also realizes that he should have stood up for May. I was really happy with the way that he made amends to May. Another aspect that I really liked was the balance between the characters of Noni and Ben. His quiet to her fearlessness and how by the end, she was able to open up to Ben about her reasons for needing to come with him. Noni was by far my favorite character and I love how Ben describes her, "she was like a tricky springtime: nice and bright and calm one minute, smacking you with rain the next." It just seems to fit her. Plus Noni has these wonderful rules for wandering which she learned from her dad. Another huge aspect of the story centers around golf, which truly I know very little about. I've played on an actual golf course once and seen a few rounds of the Masters on T.V., but you can just tell that golf is as important to Lawson as it was to Ben's dad. It just seems right that the book is broken down into rounds of golf and that each chapter begins with a "hole" being played. A wonderful adventure story with magic, humor and many heartfelt moments.


Favorite line:

"...you know this is impossible, right? Lots of things are, right up until they're not."

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This latest book from the fantastically versatile Jessica Lawson is spellbinding. A beautiful, magical story, written with so much heart--readers who pick it up will be richly rewarded.

[Nancy Kotkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky characters on a mission through an eccentric plot, learning a myriad of life lessons along their journey. Focuses mainly on parent/child relationships, but also includes a heavy emphasis on peer friendship. Set in the deep South of the early 1970s, the story organically examines school desegregation, racial prejudice, and male gender roles. All these elements combine remarkably well in a nuanced but active novel with plenty of heart. It doesn't even matter that I don't care for golf, which is woven throughout this story. Surprise ending. Beautiful writing. I'm disappointed this book didn't get any Newbery attention. It's definitely one of the best middle grade novels of 2016.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads will only let me give 4 or 5 stars, so I'm giving this book 4.5 here.
My sister-in-law recommended this book since I have an affinity for golf. It's a bit of a departure from stuff I would normally seek out, but honestly, it's one of the best books I've read in a long time.
The story is just what the description says: Benjamin Putter's journey to scatter his dead father's ashes on the 18th green of Augusta. Early on, he meets a girl who asks to accompany him when he makes the trip (Ben runs away to accomplish this goal, knowing his mother would not approve). Along the way his father talks to him from his urn, the trees talk to him, benches, buildings, and even the course itself talks to him. It's a unique approach that felt like the author understood what it's like to be young and imaginative. As the story goes, though, you start wondering just how imaginative it really is.
As a golf fan, it was excellent to read all the history, legends, and stories that are woven throughout the book. The author clearly did her research, and is clearly a golf fan herself. There are some wonderful quotes from players and descriptions of highlights from the glory days when Bobby Jones, Walter Hagen, Sam Snead, among others, were at the top of their games. If you've seen or read The Legend of Bagger Vance, you know a little about the time period this book takes place in.
Finally, the ending of the book made the whole book for me. If nothing else, read this book for the end. It has one of the greatest wrap-ups I've seen in a long, long time. In fact, I liked it so much that I went back and reread the last chapter just so I could get every little detail squared away in my head. As endings go, it was phenomenal.
It's advertised as youth fiction, but if your an adult with even a passing knowledge of Augusta's amazing history, it just enhances the reading experience that much more as you envision the scenes playing out in your head. Give it a chance.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply amazing!!! I am on such a roll with fantastic Southern Lit. This is written by such a wonderful author that if you haven't read any of her books, I would highly encourage you to. She primarily writes books for children but in all of her books there are such deep messages about topics like death, race, family, and the challenges of being a kid. This particular story was so moving. It takes place in the early 70s. A boy loses his dad to lung cancer. His dad had been an avid golfer with big dreams about incorporating every aspect of the game into his life. However, Ben (his son) feels that golf was so important to him that he failed to give Ben the attention he needed and now it's too late because all he has is a sadness and frustration he can't put into words and the ashes of his dad in a small shrine his mother had built in his dad's favorite room - the kitchen. Ben's imagination is grand, to him, everything has a voice and an opinion that they are willing to share with him and only he can hear them. That piece of the story I found so whimsical. He also suddenly finds a lump in his throat that the doctors can't seem to explain. Ben hears his dad's voice coming from the urn. That voice encourages him to runaway and spread him over the golf course in Augusta, GA where he always dreamed of going or even playing. So begins the adventure Ben is to undertake. Along the way, he meets some wonderful characters that make his journey meaningful and allow him get closure after his father's death. Most significant is Nonny, another runaway who he pairs up with but who seems to annoy him more than he thinks he can stand. However, she gives him the courage he is afraid to exhibit. Along the way, Ben is also learning about a world that is changing and where not all are treated equally but rather judged unjustly and treated unfairly simply due to the color of their skin. Great book for all kids and adults alike. I actually found it quite apropos with all the talk in the current political arena about racial tensions and how little sense it makes that people are judged by their skin color. Heavy topic for kids but important as they become future adults.

[Terryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gr - 7-8
11 year old Ben Putter’s dad died last month and his ashes are sitting in the kitchen. Ever since then, Ben feels like he’s too big for his skin, that if he can just leave town for a little while, he'll figure out how to get the golf ball sized lump out of his throat. The day Ben decides to run away is the same day his dad’s ashes start talking to him. Ben’s father reminds him that his dying wish was to be spread on the 18th hole at Augusta National, the world’s best golf course. And now it’s Ben’s job to get him there with his mysterious new runaway friend, Noni. Set in 1972 Alabama and Georgia, this moving and emotional coming of age story has themes of racism, friendship and growing up. Ben discovers that he must accept himself as he is and not who he thinks his father wanted him to be and that there are many ways of expressing love. An action packed and absorbing story. Great for fans of Savvy by Ingrid Law. Recommended as a first purchase.

-Terry Ann Lawler, Phoenix Public Library, AZ

[Sydney Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was incredible. I mean I absolutely loved it. This book is so heartfelt and full of emotion, I would be lying if I said I didn’t cry a little at the end. Really touching and gives a heartfelt story with lots of interesting parts and has an AWESOME ending that really ties everything together. Overall, I would highly recommend this book no matter your age!

[Linda Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a beautiful story.

It’s charming.

It’s clever.

It’s magical.

It’s moving.

I absolutely LOVED how everything around Ben conversed with him, and I loved how the author so expertly weaved that magic into the narrative. I also adored Noni and her spunk and her sense of humor.

And that surprise ending…. It still gives me shivers.

But don’t just take my word for it. Read the book yourself. Or better yet, if you have school-aged children, let them read it. They will totally enjoy it.

[Leah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. I liked Ben and his mom. I didn't like Ben's dad or Noni. I did like the end of this book. It was a pleasant surprise and made this book worth reading. It made Noni a little more likable. At least, I understood her more. My biggest problem with this book was that I found myself bored. It wasn't constant boredom, but it was enough to make this book a challenge to finish. There was some golf involved in this story, but not as much as I expected. It was mostly about Ben dealing with the death of his father.

[༺Kiki༻ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you liked this book, you might also enjoy:

✱ The Secret Hum of a Daisy
✱ Nest
✱ The Swallow

[Lidya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5

“Some things are true whether other people believe you or not.”

I would never imagined, I like this book more than I expected. This is the kind of bildungsroman that would make someone sad. It's beautiful, the tale of second chances for people that you've wronged in your life. The closest people you get in contact with are the most likely to easier get hurt by ourselves. The male protagonist went to seemingly a wild goose chase, supervised by his father who have already been ashes in a pewter urn.

He only owned one book in the world, and it wasn’t the Bible. It was full of photographs and facts about Augusta.

His Dad is depicted as great man for other people in their café, but his love for golf always went overboard and got the better of him. In this book, Jessica Lawson tried to show how hard it is for teenage to process the death of the closest ones. Even though they claimed to hate them because of various things they did when alive, the process of letting it go sometimes make them seem strong without shedding any tears, but deep inside they are hurting.

“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots, but you have to play the ball where it lies.” (Bobby Jones)

There are some philosphical quotes about golf and life here and there, and I'm reading it delightfully. This book is a good rendition for golf athletes, lovers, and enthusiasts out there, with a touch of sentimental value of father and son bonding, including the friendship of Noni and Ben.

He sighed, and the disappointment hit me right in the gut, just like it always did. One sigh was all it took. I wondered if Daddy knew how much power was in his sighs, even his dead ones.

Benjamin Putter always feels his dad never really proud of him because he never really got into golf like his father expected to. Then suddenly, his dad died from the sudden surgery. He never shed a tear, and suddenly there is a lump in his throat as big as golf ball. After his death, Bogey Putter suddenly talked to his son from his ashes in the urn, asking him to take both of them to Augusta, where there is a biggest golf course in America.

But love isn’t a fact, it’s a feeling, and the feeling that my daddy loved me was like catching fog. It was there, but I couldn’t get a solid hold on it. I think maybe it was that extra word that made it all seem slippery. It was the anyway that made it feel like a lie.

This book showed how important wording is to everyone. Just a long sigh, unclear intention, the extra words, it could make the wrong impression towards the other party. The second chance that every one always need but don't deserve, is magically given to this boy.

Maybe I hadn’t said the right things either. Maybe I should have said more. Tried harder. Mrs. Marino showed up in my brain. It’s harder to be proud of something you don’t understand.

The struggle Ben had is happening to other teens as well, so I feel like this book is good for contemplating life for the adults too. I must admit this book is a bit heavy to be called middle grade because the philosophical value it holds.

“How come you’re never your charming self with me?” I asked.
“Still not funny.” She wrinkled her nose and handed me a cookie. “Showing you my true self is a testament to our friendship. Consider yourself lucky.”

Noni is a sheltered girl with too many privileges. Indeed she was being a jerk for some times, but after reading this book I must admit I'm touched by her tenacity to give her father the sign to move on with his life. To forgive her, to let her go and make peace with this world. Her attempt to befriend Benjamin is so typical for teenage girls, and I like it because it's so natural.

I’d wondered about Mr. Walter’s chair for months, staring at the spot in the café where he’d sat—a magic chair where it was easy to say things. I thought maybe Daddy and I could sit down and eat one day, and I’d sit in that chair. When I’d finally sucked down enough nerve to ask Mama about it, she’d said there was no magic chair. The thing that man was sitting in was his skin color. She said being white had made things easier for me, too.

Jessica Lawson brought out the racist issues back from the 70s, when the public schools were being opened for the colored people and the white people opened up private school so their children would be safe and sound. For the records, most of the bullying were done by the white supremacist children. Not the colored ones, like Benjamin said to his dad about these issue:

“Just because something’s allowed and it doesn’t break any laws, I don’t know if that makes it right.”

In the end, I give this book 4.5 stars because its complicated plot and heavy moral value. It's a good book, well written and worthy to read. It would give you a long time to contemplate life's meaning. Like Walter Hagen said:

You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable read! My 12-year-old daughter and I both really enjoyed it. Cannot say enough about that ending, though--perfect!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two things:

1) I am not a publisher. This book does not seem like it should be a children's book. It is a brilliant coming of age story, but it is heavy.

2) Ms Lawson, I admire you for writing this lovely tale. That being said... I am from Augusta. The river may look like it is close to the course on a map, but it is not. There are places in Augusta that are nearly impossible to traverse, especially during Masters week. Granted Washington Road was not then what it is now, but I just cannot imagine a casual stroll from the river to the course. (Granted, they made it there from Alabama, so they had spunk.) (And I mean all of this in a spirit of amusement.) (And I have yet to meet an Azalea with fragrance, but I live to learn.)

The book is worth a read. It will tug at your heartstrings and has a surprise or two along the way. I highly recommend it to my adult friends, especially those from my hometown.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give this book more than five stars, I would. This book is about Ben Putter who lost his father to cancer and now finds that his father's ashes are talking to him, demanding that Ben scatter the ashes over the 18th green of Augusta National during the Master's tournament. But it's about so much more than that. It's about loving people as they are. Second chances. Family. Finding yourself. Making peace with your life and your decisions. Standing up for what's right. Standing up for friends. So much to love.

When I finished, I just wanted to sit and soak in the words. Read the ending a second and third time, and let the words make me a better person. Jessica Lawson has created a magical story that keeps you guessing, yet makes you feel right at home.

Honestly, golf isn't my thing, but after reading this book, I just might go watch a game. Such a beautiful story!

[Shelley Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Middle grade novel based in Alabama 1972. The book opens with 11 year old Benjamin Putter worried about a golf ball stuck in his throat. The story is about grief, friendship, second chances, facing your fears, understanding, forgiveness, as well as golf, BBQ, pigs, chickens, and trains. Lots of adventure, a little bit of mystery, and a few tears. Ben seeks the approval of his father and I liked the quote, "I wondered if Daddy knew how much power was in his sighs, even his dead ones." Lightly touches on 1972 desegregation with lingering tensions throughout the story. The ending is great and I can imagine this being a movie on the big screen someday. "Some things are true whether other people believe you or not."

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and will definitely include it on my classroom library shelves. I liked how main character tackled some pretty big emotional challenges, and how it still ended with some messiness, just like real life. The two things keeping it from a 5 for me was the way the main character kept talking to inanimate objects....some people love that aspect, but it just wasn’t for me. I also felt like the storyline about his best friend and integration could have been fleshed out or better incorporated. It felt a little forced to me, without much explanation or context to the rest of the story.

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of the story was great, but for me it was really hard to get into. The story seemed to drag at times and I felt the end was too perfectly wrapped up. Not my cup of tea. The cover is fantastic and some might really enjoy the story of Ben Putter and his struggle to come to terms with his father's death. I, sadly, did not.

[ANDREA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about the book. I didn’t like the fact that a deceased girl was able to accompany him on journey. Since the book is talking about integration, maybe explain a little more for the students. I just don’t see a player will put up strange kids hanging out in the parking lot. Not my cup of tea. Only read it because of a reading competition.

[Mina Auobi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a great story. I love the imagery, the plot twist and how the story unfold. I cried a lot by the end of the book. The day I finished the book was the day that the author died too. So when I searched it up it was double sad. It is a fantasy but how real it looks is soooo good. It gave me an animation vibe.

[Susan Coulombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy takes his fathers ashes to the Master's in Augusta, Georgia , to spread them them because that was his dying wish. A runaway girl accompanies him and their adventure is not what you expect. A twist at the end.

[Michelle Van Dyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm impressed! Well written and touching coming of story about a girl, a boy and his dead father as they journey to Augusta, GA to scatter dad's ashes. Beautiful and surprising with a few awesome twists at the end. Pay attention to the details on this one as it all wraps up nicely in the end.

[Saundra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the emotional journey on which the main character embarked. The supporting characters (including all the inanimate objects) were also delightful contributors to the story. Very cool ending.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kind of book that pushes your thinking and demands to be savored.

[Ayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is by far my favorite non-series book. The ending is beautiful. 💕💖

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A coming-of-age journey of healing. Loved it and loved being delightfully surprised by the ending.

[Gabrielle Schwabauer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The magical realism in this novel worked better than it had any right to. I attribute this 100% to character voice.

[LisaSunshineGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benjamin Putter has a golf ball in his throat. It's been there since his Daddy died. He meets a mysterious runaway girl named Noni, and the two of them go off on an epic and unpredictable adventure.

[Zoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not a very good book but that is just from me. It would be more of a book for a boy. I just don’t like it very much.