Summary+and+Cast+of+Characters

Summary: Our Time on the River is about a family of four during the time of the Vietnam War, "Dad", "Mom", David, and Steve. David drops out of college and decides to enlist in the Army during the time of the war. Mom took it very hard and was upset when she found out. His Dad was proud of him and respected his decision. “Dad” had the idea of David and his younger brother Steve going on a trip down the Susquehanna River because he thought that it would be a bonding experience for the two. David wasn't up for it at first but decided to go anyways. Mom wasn't sure of the idea and worried about them being by themselves. David and Steve started off their journey by always fighting and not enjoying each other’s company. They would visit towns along the way and in the first town they stopped at, they met two girls. The girls ended up lying about their age and David freaked out because they were too young for him. The continued there travels and the third town they visited they work at a carnival. They stayed the night because David drank too much and passed out. They continue their journeys down the river. The next town the two of them get in trouble at a bar. They messed with two older men, who wanted to beat them up. After nearly escaping from being beaten up, they had their dad pick them up. They go to a diner which gives the three of them time to bond. David and Steve’s relationship has grown much stronger because of this trip. David ends up going to Vietnam and kills a man. David was working in an office when a rocket hits his building. He has to go home because he had a chance of becoming deaf. When David comes home he talks to Steve about maybe going on another journey down the River... Who knows maybe there's going to be a sequel?  Cast of Characters: "Dad"- Dad seems to be a very calm and understanding character. In the beginning of the book when David told his family he enlists in the Army, His Dad was very understanding and didn't argue with David. He thought it was okay that David and Steve should go along on the trip. He thought they were old enough and mature enough for the voyage. At this point of the book I thought he was a very calm, relaxed, and an understanding dad. At the end of the story I thought that he was very caring and loving when he drove all that way to pick up his boys. He was never angry or upset in the story. "Mom"- Mom is a very cautious character. She was very angry, scared, and nervous for David when he told her he was going to Vietnam. Also, she wasn't sure of the idea of her two boys going on a trip down the river alone. She thought the idea was unsafe and they could suffer injuries. David- David is an 18 year old boy who dropped out of college to enlist in the army. David seems to be very mature for his age. I think he was confused on going to the Vietnam War. On the outside he tried to not to be scared and act like some tough guy but I think on the inside he was scared and not sure of really what to expect. Steve- Steve is a 13 year old boy. He is the younger brother of David. Steve seems to very dependent and needs to be around someone else at all times. I would say he is mature for his age but he seems to be a "baby" about many things.