I loved it all. What a heartwarming story, told in a way that respects all the characters and their backgrounds. I have already recommended the book to some kids at my library, and each of them loved it, too. ( )

Piper and her family end up in a shelter, but at least they have food to eat and roofs over their heads, even if her dad has to stay in a separate building. They are better off than others, like the lady who has to sleep in the park because she has a dog. When Piper finds out that this women who is named Jewell has gotten seriously ill and been taken to the hospital, she worries about her little dog Baby. How will he survive on his own? And how can Jewell get better without her best friend beside her? Can 11 year old Piper do anything to help? This story of hope shows no matter how little we have, we each can still help others. Grades 5-7 ( )

Piper’s family arrives homeless in the big city. They start out living at an emergency shelter before transferring to a family motel. Piper meets other homeless families and adults, including Ree and her dog Ajax, and the girls in the Firefly troop. But it is Baby, a homeless dog, that captures Piper’s heart. Baby belongs to an older homeless woman who suffers mental illness. When Jewel is hospitalized, Piper and Jewel’s friends on the streets take care of Baby. Baby is captured and taken to the Humane Society where he is at risk of being adopted out. Ree knows that Jewel needs Baby. Piper and the Firefly girls come up with a fundraising plan to reunite Jewel with Baby, and get Jewel to her sister in Idaho. A sweet story for animal lovers and kids take the initiative to solve problems. ( )