From Newbery Honoree Marion Dane Bauer comes the tale of a boy who needs a dog, and a dog who needs a boy--a match made in heaven, if only the two can meet. Mark is a boy who needs a dog. But he can't get his mom on board with his plan. Buddy is a dog who needs a boy. Buddy has an owner already, but not one who understands the kind of love and care--the "something more"--a dog needs. Mr. LaRue is a neighbor who needs a community. He's alone all the time in his huge old house--and everyone needs more than that. Over the course of a summer thunderstorm and one chaotic town council meeting, these three characters cross paths and come together in a timeless tale ripe with emotions and told in verse that resolves with love, understanding, and a sense of belonging--plus a place to play a game of fetch!

Author Biography

Marion Dane Bauer is the author of many books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor book On My Honor and the New York Times bestseller My Mother Is Mine. Her other titles include A Mama for Owen, If You Were Born a Kitten, Grandmother's Song, and Thank You for Me!. She has retired from the faculty of the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults where she was the first Faculty Chair. She lives in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and can be reached at MarionDaneBauer.com. Jennifer A. Bell is an illustrator whose work can be found on greeting cards, in magazines, and in over a dozen children's books. She lives with her husband, son, and cranky cat in Minneapolis, Minnesota.