The Last Shepherd

Mathieu Etcheberri wants nothing more than to leave his family’s Arizona sheep ranch and go to college. But when his father is killed in an accident, that future is placed in jeopardy as Matt discovers he is not the heir to the ranch. 

To claim his rightful inheritance, Mathieu must travel to his father's ancestral home in the Pyrenees mountains of France and unravel the secrets of his family. 

Mathieu's often humorous journey of discovery centers on his learning the importance of his heritage as he discovers the mysteries of the family he thought he knew and the wonders of the family he never knew existed.

With all the wit and insight of Jonathan Safran Foer, Etchart deepens the coming-of-age genre with this novel…a fine, charming, terrific story about a fascinating culture and the value of family and knowing where they—and thus you—come from. — Starred Review Booklist