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Writer Hill offers a remarkable tale of a young man's determination as it links him to the past and subtly predicts his future. Since early childhood, Johnny has walked past and observed the activities at Mr. Pete's garage, just a short distance from his home. As he matures, he starts visiting the shop, chatting with Mr. Pete, and then volunteering to help out, and is assigned basic cleaning chores. Once people start noticing how much better the rooms look, Mr. Pete begins to observe Johnny's work more closely, especially noting that several times a day, he sneaks away and seems to be exploring an old building on the grounds where a certain car has been hidden away for many years. Mr. Pete senses that this connection of boy and car has deep implications.
When Johnny gets his driver's license, Mr. Pete opens the way for him to own the long-neglected vehicle. Johnny and his friend Holly immediately jump to the task, spending hours cleaning the accumulated grime on its sparkling blue surface. They discover a logo painted on one side—the face of a monstrous being and the accompanying words: "The Beast." After the car is successfully resuscitated and recognized at a local car show, Johnny's curiosity about its history must be satisfied. His father and Mr. Pete, two old friends, are certain that these events were somehow meant to be, and the two settle down with Johnny and Holly to explain why. Their tale begins in their own younger years, when Johnny's father joined the army along with his close friend, Benny, the original proud owner of the Beast. The two were trained in the US and sent to combat in the Middle East, where, tragically, Benny was killed in a horrific battle. Later, Benny's mother would gift the Beast to Johnny's father, who, with Mr. Pete, decided to shut it away in a shed and "wait for the right moment." That occasion clearly occurs when Johnny displays his attachment to the neglected vehicle. The two older men now recognize in Johnny the same strength of character—enthusiasm and will power—that Benny had possessed and are convinced that the "right moment" has finally come.
Hill served twenty-eight years in the US military, and upon retirement, worked as a carpenter and later studied and utilized his talents as a graphic artist. His book seems possibly to have been based on personal experiences and was composed with the encouragement of friends and family, in combination with Hill's sincere wish to share the story and its subtle implications with others. There is special emphasis throughout this clearly conceived, brightly illustrated work on the positive effects of youthful grit, cheerful attitude, and ambitious vision that can stir one to self-discovery and notable accomplishments. Hill's book will surely attract a wide audience, including readers of Johnny's age and parents and elders reminiscing about life's lessons. It can be effectively shared in group discussions and will provide inspiration for individuals seeking personal growth and enlightenment.
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