
Parents should reach for this book when a middle-schooler is struggling to process the sudden loss of a parent or is retreating into silence following a family tragedy. While it centers on 13-year-old Grace and her sister's plan to train a service dog, the core of the story is about the messy, uneven nature of grief. It captures the specific pain of losing a parent who was also a community hero (a police officer) and how that public mourning can complicate a child's private healing. This is a realistic, secular look at resilience for ages 10 to 14, highlighting how caring for something outside of oneself can provide a necessary anchor when life feels unmoored.
The book deals directly with the death of a parent. The approach is realistic and secular, focusing on the psychological impact of grief rather than spiritual explanations. The resolution is hopeful but grounded in the reality that grief doesn't disappear; it just becomes manageable.
A middle schooler (ages 11-13) who feels 'invisible' in their grief or who is struggling to reconnect with friends after a major life change. It is perfect for the child who finds it easier to talk to animals than people.
Read cold. There are no graphic descriptions of the father's death, though the emotional weight is consistent. Parents should be prepared to discuss the ethics of service dog training and the reality that pets are a long-term commitment. A parent might notice their child has stopped talking about their deceased loved one or has become hyper-fixated on a new hobby or pet to avoid social interaction.
Younger readers (10) will focus on the dog-training aspect and the 'coolness' of the police dog connection. Older readers (13-14) will resonate with the sisterly tension and the frustration of being 'the kid with the dead dad' at school.
Unlike many 'dog books' where the animal is a magical healer, Rex is a realistic, sometimes difficult puppy. The book uniquely explores the intersection of private grief and the public identity of being a fallen officer's child.
Following the death of her police officer father in the line of duty, thirteen-year-old Grace is living in a house full of 'hollowed out' people. Her older sister, hoping to bolster her college applications, adopts a golden retriever puppy named Rex to train as a service animal. Predictably, the sister grows distracted, leaving the responsibility to Grace. As Grace trains Rex, she begins to find her own voice again, navigating the complexities of middle school while carrying a heavy burden of loss.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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