47 pages 1 hour read

Dan Gemeinhart

The Honest Truth

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2015

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapters 9-10 ½

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 9 Summary: “Miles to Go: 24”

The driver—Wesley, a park service biologist—insists that Mark gets in the car, and Mark reluctantly concedes. Mark is guarded, but Wesley’s demeanor eventually calms him enough to doze off. When Mark wakes again, Wesley offers him a ham and cheese sandwich, which Mark shares with Beau. Wesley starts a conversation, and Mark quickly realizes that Wesley suspects his identity. Instead of confronting Mark outright, Wesley tells his own son’s story. Wesley’s son joined the army to earn free college, but he died in Iraq before he could attend school. Wesley, visibly grieved, remarks, “A daddy is supposed to keep his kids safe. He’s supposed to protect them. That’s all there is to it. That’s the truth. And I couldn’t help my boy” (148). Wesley empathizes with the missing boy’s parents, but Mark’s decision is already set. Mark explains his perspective (speaking in the third person to avoid self-incrimination) and insists that the missing boy probably just wants people to leave him alone. By the conversation’s end, Wesley is more sympathetic to Mark’s wishes and considers helping him along his journey.

Related Titles

By Dan Gemeinhart

Study Guide

logo

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Dan Gemeinhart

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

Dan Gemeinhart