The Advocate

Nothing may be more important in a child's life than the ability to read well. The Advocate is a fictional tale of Ryan Arenz, a retired middle-class widower. He volunteers for a program in which he advocates for Wanda, a single mother, and her young son, Marshawn. Although out of his element, Ryan is tasked with ensuring 'Marsh' is prepared for school, feels he belongs, is on a level playing field with other more advantaged kids, and has a fighting chance to succeed and stay in school. Although, things do not always go smoothly for Ryan, Wanda, and Marsh. The novel demonstrates how school districts can provide a solution to the daycare needs for parents and ensure a young child has a healthy body and brain. The story is both heart-warming and heart-breaking.   Tim Munkeby has taught writing in Minnesota and Colombia S.A., directed plays, and coached sports. After founding a successful financial planning firm, Tim wrote If I Had a Million Dollars: How to Achieve Financial Independence Before Your Parents Do and lectured for several years at colleges and universities on financial literacy. In addition, he has published three novels: Back to the Island, Will, and The Advocate. Tim is the co-founder of the non-profit, Minnesota Rally to Read. His current novel, The Advocate, demonstrates the importance of literacy for children and, thus, society and the economy. After 16 years in the Boundary Waters' woods, he now lives on Minnehaha Creek in Minnetonka, Minnesota, with his wife Mary. They have 5 kids and 12 grands.   "The Advocate is a book I finished in one day because I simply couldn't put it down. The characters were people I knew. I could feel myself sitting in the house with them, at the meetings. As a single parent, the support the 'advocate' offered the mom and child made me both envious and charmed. The book is so well-written you live the story, not read it." -Julie Frawley, middle chool teacher.