ARK

Arden isn’t happy that her family traded their big house for a tiny one.

Her parents recently downsized for personal fulfillment and career flexibility, and the lack of space means Arden’s dog will live half the time with her aunt. Then her best friend announces she’s moving from Idaho to Massachusetts. More difficult changes occur when the pandemic hits and Arden’s family is locked down in the limited space 24/7. Eleven-year-old Arden’s big sulks upset them all, and she realizes she isn’t the only one affected: Her 5-year-old brother is stressed too, her parents lose their jobs, family members get sick, and abandoned dogs roam the streets. Narrated by Arden, the story captures the rapid changes and uncertainty people felt during the Covid-19 pandemic. Although the virus the characters are dealing with is not named, readers will recognize the descriptions of quiet streets, social isolation, and constant worries about health, safety, and loved ones. The challenges are recognizable but not extreme—Arden struggles but admirably develops a coping strategy, taking control of the only thing she can, as she starts rescuing and caring for stray dogs, giving them their own little backyard house to sleep in. By extension, she learns to recognize the needs of others and be there for them, and as the months pass, she sees a brighter future and redefines the meaning of home. Main characters read White; Arden’s best friend emigrated from Syria.

Infectiously hopeful.