The Saturday Boy novel

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THE SATURDAY BOY

By Richard & Esther Provencher

(Chapter Outline for ages 8-10)

1. Total Length                                                              19,802 words of text

2. Number of chapters                                                                       Thirteen

3. Setting:                                                                         Truro, Nova Scotia

4. Main Characters:

Jay – Age eleven, is very mature for his age. He has to be. Dad left suddenly three years ago and left Jay and mom by themselves.

Dad – Jay's father returns and wants to recover his role as a father. He has Saturday visitation rights only and tries to make the most of them.

Mom – is the guiding light and quiet strength behind Jay. Also, she’s the unsung heroine who raised her son to be strong and independent.

5. Overview:

Jay is confronted with a dad who wants to rekindle his son's love. Jay does not welcome his father’s sudden return after three years. But he will try his best. After all there's only one Saturday in each week.

Chapter 1: HOW IT ALL BEGAN..............................             

Jay wonders why dad disappeared suddenly three years ago. He wrestles with his emotions. Should he welcome him back? Reluctantly the boy admits he did miss his dad.

Chapter 2: A STRANGER RETURNS.............................

First Saturday visit, hard to talk at first. Riding in dad's new car. Jay refuses to call him dad. Make him suffer a little, Jay thinks. But it's not Jay's nature to be mean.

Chapter 3: LEARNING TO DO THINGS............................

Another trip. Dad began to take his son around to different spots. Jay starts to really look at this guy. Dad let him steer the car? Why did you leave, dad, are thoughts that batter at Jay’s head?

Chapter 4: WE'RE FRIENDS AGAIN..............................

Getting to know dad better. Camping out in a cabin. Jay tells dad about his nighttime fears. Loving dad again by his son is kind of nice.

Chapter 5: BIRTHDAY FOR A SON...............................

Back to the woods is where Jay is speaking more. Swimming at the falls. Birthday surprise. Should Jay start calling him dad again?

Chapter 6: TIME TO FORGIVE-

Jay can't wait for Saturday. He's hooked on his father, who's teaching Jay to overcome his fears. Swimming at Little Dyke Lake, especially off the scary floating dock. And Jay chops a tree for the first time.

Chapter 7: A FATHER'S BIRTHDAY-

Jay learns about hunting, a father's past birthdays and how much fun fathers can be. The boy wants to fill in all those empty spots when dad left.      

Chapter 8: THE WAY THINGS ARE-

Visit to Tim Horton's camp in Tatamagouche. Learning that fatherless children do survive. Getting along with the group of kids. And peeing your pants isn't the end of the world for a boy.

Chapter 9: FISHING EQUALS FUN-

A bicycle-fishing trip takes place. Dad shows how to catch fish. A scare for a scared cat Jay. A disagreement brings the first storm clouds.

Chapter 10: A HUNTING TRIP IS PLANNED-

Jay is growing up. He learns to handle criticism and has strong opinions. Scouting the woods. Learning to use the compass. Jay loves dad again.

Chapter 11: A WORTHWHILE EXPERIENCE-

A special treat is a campout in a tent. And hunting in the woods. Nighttime and animal sounds aren't so bad. Love is having dad around a lot.

Chapter 12: WHY DID IT END?

Suddenly it was over. Mom and dad knew it would happen. Why not Jay? Why? Why? Jay finds it hard to accept dad's letter of explanation.

Chapter 13: A NEW BEGINNING-

Now it’s just mom and Jay again. Dad is back in Toronto. Grandpa takes Jay and his mother to the woods for understanding. The boy finds peace in growing up. Finally he knows he must sit down and write dad a letter.

© Richard & Esther Provencher 2004-2021