Russell Gentry and his dog named Peg is a story of a young boy's struggle with the yearnings of his heart. He yearns for a prize-winning rabbit dog and a better family life for his new friend, whose father and brother are mean to him. He yearns for the recovery of his beloved grandfather, who has been in a terrible accident, and he yearns to uncover the mystery of who killed the revenuer. But his biggest yearning is how to answer the voice he heard when Pastor Everett gave the altar call. Russell's ears heard the preacher's words but his heart heard a much louder voice, calling him, trying to persuade him to step forward. He wanted to be saved, but he was scared. He didn't know what he was scared of, it was a mystery to him, but he reckoned he was scared because he knew he had some ways he needed to change. Russell knew he wasn't perfect; he didn't even come close to being perfect.