Book Description
A moving novel in verse in which a lost dog helps a lonely girl find a way home to her family . . . only for them to find family in each other along the way. From the Newbery Honor Award-winning author of Iveliz Explains It All.
Laura Rodríguez Colón has a plan: no matter what the grown-ups say, she will live with her parents again. Can you blame her? It’s tough to make friends as the new kid at school. And while staying at her aunt’s house is okay, it just isn’t the same as being in her own space.
So when Laura finds a puppy, it seems like fate. If she can train the puppy to become a therapy dog, then maybe she’ll be allowed to visit her parents. Maybe the dog will help them get better and things will finally go back to the way they should be.
After all, how do you explain to others that you’re technically a foster kid, even though you live with your aunt? And most importantly . . . how do you explain that you’re not where you belong, and you just want to go home?
So when Laura finds a puppy, it seems like fate. If she can train the puppy to become a therapy dog, then maybe she’ll be allowed to visit her parents. Maybe the dog will help them get better and things will finally go back to the way they should be.
After all, how do you explain to others that you’re technically a foster kid, even though you live with your aunt? And most importantly . . . how do you explain that you’re not where you belong, and you just want to go home?
Review
I received a dARC copy of this book from the publisher. Here is my honest review.
Arango has taken a difficult situation and captured it in a way that is beautiful, poignant, heart-wrenching, and authentic. Her writing style, in verse, is accessible to all readers and shines the spotlight on the emotions that Laura, our main character feels.
This book explores foster care, specifically kinship care, in a way that I have not seen. While there are situations that are less than ideal (to sugarcoat it) there are many situations where family members do step up and in to care for children and this is where Arango focuses her exploration of what that entails. I thought she captured Laura's emotions and then the outward expression of those emotions so perfectly. Every adult should read this to gain a glimpse into the hearts and minds of kids when they act in ways we frown on.
I also really appreciated that nobody was demonized in this book. She handled the shortcomings of Laura's parents through a gracious lens. (spoiler: highlight to read) When Laura recognizes that those around her think she's better off "now" but all she knows is that she loves her parents, they love her and she simply wants to be home --- what a call-out to society and how judgemental we can be Laura's (continued) love for her parents is so obvious and I thought Arango was smart to emphasize that children caught in these situations LOVE their parents and that we (society) should do better to acknowledge that as work is done to help parents and keep kids safe at the same time. (spoiler: highlight to read)
The book ends with a letter from Laura's mom and while I get the hopeful element of that being necessary in a middle grade book, my heart also hurt because I know many kids are still waiting for that little piece of hope. I loved the way Sparrow (the dog) was at first a means to an end for Laura and then became more. I loved how her aunt slowly grew from awkward, not sure how to navigate the situation into an aunt who found ways to show Laura she loved her and she was important to her. They both grew as individuals and as family.
I received a dARC from the publisher via NetGalley; this is my honest review. I loved this book so much, highlighted so many bits that I will add a physical copy to my library.
I received a dARC from the publisher; this is my honest review.
This book explores foster care, specifically kinship care, in a way that I have not seen. While there are situations that are less than ideal (to sugarcoat it) there are many situations where family members do step up and in to care for children and this is where Arango focuses her exploration of what that entails. I thought she captured Laura's emotions and then the outward expression of those emotions so perfectly. Every adult should read this to gain a glimpse into the hearts and minds of kids when they act in ways we frown on.
I also really appreciated that nobody was demonized in this book. She handled the shortcomings of Laura's parents through a gracious lens. (spoiler: highlight to read) When Laura recognizes that those around her think she's better off "now" but all she knows is that she loves her parents, they love her and she simply wants to be home --- what a call-out to society and how judgemental we can be Laura's (continued) love for her parents is so obvious and I thought Arango was smart to emphasize that children caught in these situations LOVE their parents and that we (society) should do better to acknowledge that as work is done to help parents and keep kids safe at the same time. (spoiler: highlight to read)
The book ends with a letter from Laura's mom and while I get the hopeful element of that being necessary in a middle grade book, my heart also hurt because I know many kids are still waiting for that little piece of hope. I loved the way Sparrow (the dog) was at first a means to an end for Laura and then became more. I loved how her aunt slowly grew from awkward, not sure how to navigate the situation into an aunt who found ways to show Laura she loved her and she was important to her. They both grew as individuals and as family.
I received a dARC from the publisher via NetGalley; this is my honest review. I loved this book so much, highlighted so many bits that I will add a physical copy to my library.
I received a dARC from the publisher; this is my honest review.
I gave this book: ★★★★
★ = I did not like it ★★ = It was okay ★★★ = I liked it ★★★★ = I really liked it ★★★★★ = I loved it
