First published 2016
A faithful dog embarks on a frantic mission to save his owner from danger. Across town, an abandoned cat scrapes by on the streets, battling hunger and harsh weather to survive another day. These animals join a collection of creatures who face impossible odds with courage and determination. Each story follows a different animal protagonist wrestling with life-threatening challenges, from natural disasters to human cruelty to simple survival. McCaughrean crafts these tales with sharp, evocative writing that captures each animal's distinct personality and struggles. The stories reveal how deeply animals and humans depend on each other, even when separated by circumstances. Through moments of fear, hope, and unexpected kindness, these animal characters discover their own strength and resilience. The collection celebrates the unbreakable connections that form between species and the extraordinary lengths creatures will go to protect those they love.
Genres: fiction, short-stories, animals
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, overcoming-adversity
256 pages · Hardcover · OUP Oxford