by Janet Elder
First published 2010
Seven-year-old Michael has spent years begging his parents for a dog. He creates PowerPoint presentations with slides titled "A Childhood Without a Dog is - a Sad Thing." His parents Janet and Rich refuse. Life in New York City moves too fast for a pet. Then Janet receives a breast cancer diagnosis. During her grueling treatment, she realizes a puppy might lift the family's spirits. The idea becomes more than just giving in to Michael's wishes. A new dog would celebrate life returning to normal after months of hospitals and uncertainty. On Thanksgiving weekend, after Janet completes her treatments, a red-haired toy poodle named Huck arrives. This small, mischievous dog will test the family in ways they never expected. The story follows how one determined boy, a mother's illness, and the kindness of strangers all connect through a tiny dog who refuses to give up.
Genres: fiction, literary-fiction, family-life, contemporary
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, second-chance
Setting: New York City
304 pages · Hardcover · Broadway Books
Content warnings: medical-trauma