Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: The Cornerstone

Author: Randall Platt

Narrator: Jeff Kafer

Format: Unabridged

Length: 5 hrs and 54 mins

Language: English

Release date: 08-07-09

Publisher: Books in Motion

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Publisher's Summary:

In this coming-of-age novel set in 1944, Ian McKenzie is a bright 15-year-old street kid who's been sent to a Washington State summer camp to be straightened out. Andy Ackerman, the counselor assigned to the camp's charity cases, is a young man fresh from the war in the Pacific, tough, angry, but understanding. Through Ackerman's tough love and the sharing of a strenuous task, Ian gains pride and a sense of honor. It is Ackerman's tragedy that forms the cornerstone of McKenzie's life and makes this novel something truly special and moving.

©1998 Randall Beth Platt; (P)2009 Books In Motion

Members Reviews:

For young adults and all ages

This reads like a very good young adult book, and its historical relevancy feels accurate. You'll find a lot to like here, including the four boys and their antics, and personalities, that will remind you of the movie "Stand by Me." There are some formatting problems but readers won't find them too distracting. There were a few times the action felt hurried, but I found it overall very solid, if a little predictable. You are, of course aware that the troubled kid Ian grows into the Admiral in the beginning of the book, but you will enjoy watching him mature. There is sadness but out of that comes joy and recognition that life goes as it's meant to go, even though we don't know it at the time. There are a lot of moments that will make you cheer. Read on! This is good sound reading for all ages.

my mind keeps coming back to this story

I read an awful lot, and most stories are enjoyable while I read but don't really haunt me like this one does. Can't remember the style, or the foul words or the other things -just the story. I loved it. I keep wanting to find my copy and read it again. Ackerman's ability to transcend his pain is powerful, as is his ability to plant a seed and not need to see it grow and bloom.

This story mesmerizes the reader and bridges generations.

I have never been to summer camp, never been a juvenile delinquent, and never been to war. But I have been young and confused, I have developed unlikely friendships, I have had mentors, and I have loved a dog. There are so many components to this story that reached to my heart and held my attention. I related to things I have never experienced. This is a book I took with me in the car to have available for stolen moments between appointments. The premise of this story is believable, the characters are engaging, the the message is hopeful, and the presentation is entertaining. I finished this book with great regret, wishing the story could continue. This book is about relationships, about events that shape our lives, and about the common, ordinary events we experience that turn out to be what matter most in life.

Valliant effort, but falls way short

Sorry- I really found the writing style to be way short of literary quality. I'm uncomfortable about writing a negative review, but some sections were just too short of credible. They just lacked the authors insight into what I consider the natural way of things.. I guess we just don't see eye to eye. That's my opinion...