At the edge of lost

Gr 4--7--Brockenbrough's second middle grade title delivers an emotionally charged survival tale centered on family, resilience, and an unbreakable human-animal bond between a teen and his beloved dog. Caleb wants nothing more than stability after years of moving for his parents' State Department postings. Staying with his grandfather Poppy in a senior living community with his best friend (and dog) Ronan, is comfortable if nontraditional--until a virulent avian flu outbreak upends everything. When Poppy falls ill, and Caleb is whisked into quarantine, circumstances require Ronan be left behind. Ronan will not be separated from Caleb in his time of need and escapes to find his boy, navigating a world full of human and natural hazards. Told in alternating perspectives--Caleb's anxious, determined voice and Ronan's soulful, perceptive one--the narrative explores loss, loyalty, and survival against a backdrop of isolation and uncertainty. The author's portrayal of pandemic anxiety feels authentic and timely without overwhelming the story's heart. Caleb has already lived through a pandemic and understands the threats are real. However, the dog's point of view is a standout feature, offering emotional immediacy and a poignant counterbalance to Caleb's turmoil. Themes of love, responsibility, and hope resonate deeply, making this an ideal pick for readers drawn to stories of animal loyalty or classics like White Fang. VERDICT A timely, heartfelt, and emotive adventure for fans of survival or dog narratives using a quick pace to grip readers.--Jessica Bushore

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, Caleb has been averse to change. So when his parents, who work for the State Department, get a new posting in Vietnam, Caleb successfully lobbies to stay in Seattle with his grandfather, Poppy, rather than be separated from his friends and, most essentially, his aging Irish wolfhound, Ronan. When a new strain of avian flu breaks out and Poppy gets sick, Caleb is sent to Bainbridge Island to live with a prickly great-aunt, who hates dogs. Consequently, Ronan is left alone to await Caleb's mom's imminent return -- but not for long. Desperate to reunite with Caleb, Ronan escapes, only to become injured and stranded in the woods. As a massive storm bears down, Caleb grows increasingly fearful about Ronan's whereabouts and takes matters into his own hands. Brockenbrough's (To Catch a Thief, rev. 5/23) latest is an adventure story with a big heart, told in two first-person voices: Caleb's (complete with text threads from his group chat) and Ronan's, which is both lyrical and wise: "To love as a dog is to let go of the small things, the false things, so that there is nothing left but the truth of you." The fast-paced narrative successfully weaves numerous strands about forgiveness, growth, and change -- but the overarching message is one of a love fierce enough to fight for. Animal lovers won't want to miss this canine-centered tale of loyalty and determination. Norah PiehlNovember/December 2025 p.62 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.