About This Book
Reach for this book when your teenager seems to be retreating into a shell of anger or isolation, preferring the company of animals over their peers. It is a lifeline for the adolescent who feels like a misfit and uses sarcasm as a shield against a world they do not quite trust. The story follows Rachel, a prickly but talented girl who finds her purpose volunteering at an animal shelter, where she forms an intense bond with a feral collie named Grrl. Through this connection, Rachel begins to navigate her own internal landscape of frustration and loneliness. It is a realistic, unsentimental look at the hard work of building trust, perfect for ages 12 and up. Parents will appreciate how it validates the difficult emotions of the teen years while offering a path toward healing through creative expression and empathy for others.
