DANCING THROUGH THE SNOW

Having lived with foster families since she was abandoned at age three, Min knows how to protect herself from the pain of not being wanted. When she’s returned—again—to the social worker in charge of finding her a placement, Min is angry yet stoic. Surprised to find her acquaintance Dr. Jessica Hart sweeping her out of the office and into a new life together, Min still can’t trust or feel safe. Little knows how to take a story that could be sad and pathetic and engage readers by describing Min’s gutsy instinct for perseverance and the necessity for the self-protection so often misinterpreted as a lack of caring. It’s a severely damaged little dog that truly triggers a change in Min’s heart. The pets here have as much character as the humans and contribute to Min’s ability to rise to the challenge when she finally accepts her home and real love for the first time. While this could have been a tearjerker—the depth of suffering Min has endured is enormous—there is sufficient humor and excitement to leaven and relieve the pathos. (Fiction. 9-12)