WHAT COMES NEXT

Can a dog be a guardian angel in the hardest of times?

When sixth grader Thea Ettinger’s best friend, Charlie Gabriel, dies in a terrible accident while she is with him, Thea’s life is turned upside down. She stops speaking and can’t handle school; ultimately, her family moves to another town, hoping to give her a fresh start. When the family decides to adopt a rescue pup, it’s the dog (who has a lazy eye, just like Charlie’s) who picks Thea—not the other way around. Once Jack-Jack starts sleeping on her bed, Thea’s nightmares dissipate, and his companionship leads her back to a more familiar self. Eventually, with the help of her younger sisters, an elementary school teacher, new friend Rory, and others, Thea finds a way to confront her grief and to heal in her own time. While some of the plot points seem improbable and the story unfolds in fits and starts, Buyea, author of the Mr. Terupt series, brings a steady hand to demonstrating emotionally healthy family moments and adults who care, even if they are occasionally misguided. Short chapters contribute to the fast pace and may appeal to reluctant readers. Main characters appear to be white; Rory introduces Thea to sign language that he has learned because his father is Deaf.

Upbeat, unflinching, and solid.