Review by Booklist Review
This charming and uplifting series starter is perfect for middle-grade readers who love animals, family stories, and tales of resilience. Twins Ruby and Henry live on a farm filled with various rescue animals, ranging from llamas to pigs. After their veterinarian mom brings home Arlo, a frightened puppy with an injured spine, helping Arlo heal becomes more than just a project; it's a lesson in trust, patience, and love. Both siblings use their creativity and compassion to seek solutions to Arlo's mobility challenges. The story alternates between Ruby's and Henry's perspectives, making the story feel lively and balanced as readers see events unfold through both siblings' eyes. Meanwhile, Ruby, just like Arlo, is trying to figure out how she fits in with her surroundings. Strongly relatable to young readers, this book teaches about the power of ingenuinity and sensitivity while exploring how one finds their place in the world. Filled with humor, heart, and unforgettable animal moments, this is a touching start to a series that celebrates healing one wagging tail at a time.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this feel-good series launch by Downing (What Happened Then), a small family animal sanctuary becomes a loving home base for animals in need. Fifth grader Ruby, who struggles to fit in with her classmates, and her twin brother Henry, who adores everything about school, share a common passion: caring for their quirky menagerie of rescued pets. So when their veterinarian mother brings home a partially paralyzed foster puppy named Arlo, the kids jump into action. As Arlo undergoes rehabilitation for his mobility issues, the siblings help the sweet but frightened pooch become more comfortable and confident around people; in turn, Arlo inadvertently assists with the children's own challenges. Ruby leans into her affinity for building and puzzle-making to construct a rig that further improves Arlo's mobility, simultaneously acing a school project and repairing a foundering friendship. And, despite knowing he can't keep Arlo forever, Henry eagerly dotes upon his temporary canine companion, cultivating previously untapped courage in the face of imminent heartbreak. Breezy pacing maintains a light and compassionate energy as the middle schoolers navigate insecurities and relationships, discover and embrace their strengths, and foster empathy. Realistic, white-cued characters and an accessible, animal-focused setting promise rewarding future installments. Publishing simultaneously: Kitten Delivery. Ages 8--12. (Jan.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Twins endeavor to help a paralyzed puppy find a home. Fifth graders Henry and Ruby are opposites. Henry enjoys school, while Ruby fidgets and struggles to stay on task as her mind races with ideas. Ruby excels at caring for the animals on their family's farm; Henry completes chores reluctantly. But when their veterinarian mother brings home a puppy whose back legs are paralyzed from a spinal injury, the twins share a mission: acclimate the puppy to new places and people before the quickly approaching adoption fair. That task proves challenging when the pup, whom Henry names Arlo, has trouble keeping up with the other animals. Ruby's solution, building a homemade wheelchair, looks promising. But as Arlo gains independence and friends, including "the world's bossiest cat" and "a llama who thinks he's a human," Henry wishes they could keep him. Henry's rapport with Arlo makes him feel special; for once, an animal likes him more than Ruby. Their parents say the farm is too full, however. So where will Arlo's forever home be? The answer, some convenient coincidences notwithstanding, is heartwarming. Henry's and Ruby's alternating perspectives sympathetically show their distinct personalities. Ruby's desire to help Arlo be "part of the group" touchingly reflects her feeling like "the lone, bold, bright watermelon" among group-project classmates who "fit together like four peas in a pod," and readers will cheer Ruby's growing self-confidence. Characters' appearances are not described. A warm and fuzzy read.(Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
