Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Laura, age 12, is brought by social services to live with an aunt she’s never met after her parents overdose and enter rehab. In this novel in verse, Titi Silvia, a doctor who likes things to be in perfect order, has no idea what a teenager wants or needs. Titi speaks Spanish to Laura who doesn’t understand because her mother rejected that part of her family. Laura starts school but refuses to make friends because she doesn’t plan on staying – she thinks she will be going back to her parents soon (the 12-year-old mind at work). She spends time in the library where the librarian, recognizing that Laura is struggling with reading gives her graphic novels. Laura also eventually gives in and becomes friendly with Benson, who has trouble making and keeping friends as he is often in the hospital because he has sickle cell. One day, Laura finds an abandoned puppy that she names Sparrow – Titi reluctantly lets her keep him. Laura found the rehab facility where her parents are online and while she is not allowed to visit, therapy dogs are allowed. So Laura decides to train Sparrow to be a therapy dog that can go to rehab facilities so she can see her parents. Things don’t go as planned and when her parents check themselves out of rehab prematurely, Laura is frightened and comes to realize that her aunt is really watching out for her.
There are some heavy elements in this book – drug use, foster care, abandonment – but it is written well and accessible to the target audience of grade 5 and up. Fans of Raising Lumie by Joan Bauer will also enjoy this title. Definitely recommend.
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