Tom Ryan didn't know what to expect when he adopted a miniature schnauzer, Atticus M. Finch (named after the hero of To Kill a Mockingbird). On a visit with his family, Ryan discovered that he and Atticus enjoyed hiking in the mountains of nearby New Hampshire. "He seemed part mountain goat as he hopped from rock to rock with ease," Ryan writes of that first trip--and when they reached the summit, Atticus sat in happy silence, staring into the landscape.

Soon the pair were spending as much time as they could climbing all of New Hampshire's many peaks, and after a close friend's death, Ryan hit upon a unique tribute: He and Atticus would set out to climb each of those 48 mountains twice in a single winter as a fundraiser for cancer research. Following Atticus is the story of that quest, as well a subsequent quest the following year to raise money for a local veterinary clinic. But it's also a Character Approved account of how the remarkable friendship with Atticus revitalized Ryan's life.

Ryan is a compelling narrator, balancing his personal revelations with careful observations of Atticus's behavior; when the dog's health takes a turn for the worse, readers feel the anxiety and frustration as keenly as Ryan himself must have. Despite all the adversity life threw at them, the two continue to push forward, buoyed by the beauty of the mountains. (Ryan is still posting regular updates on his blog, even during their book tour.) Following Atticus will inspire not just dog lovers, but anyone who's looking for that extra little bit of courage it takes to break away from the non-essentials and start a simpler, happier life.

[Images: Tom Ryan]