The visit of the traveling Preacher Man to his small North Carolina town gives new impetus to thirteen-year-old Peter's struggle to reconcile his own deeply felt religious belief with the beliefs and non-beliefs of his family and friends.

At first Henry's very neat cousin doesn't like the cookies from under his bed or Mudge's slobbery kisses, but when they all play frisbee, she begins to enjoy her visit.

When Mudge gets sick unexpectedly, Henry does all he can to make him feel better.

Henry and his dog Mudge tangle with a grumpy goose when they visit a farm.

In the winter Henry and his big dog Mudge play in the snow, share a family Christmas dinner, and gather around a crackling winter fireplace.