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Island of the Blue Dolphins

Scott O'Dell

Far off the coast of California looms a harsh rock known as the island of San Nicholas. Dolphins flash in the blue waters around it, sea otter play in the vast kep beds, and sea elephants loll on the stony beaches.

Here, in the early 1800s, according to history, an Indian girl spent eighteen years alone, and this beautifully written novel is her story. It is a romantic adventure filled with drama and heartache, for not only was mere subsistence on so desolate a spot a near miracle, but Karana had to contend with the ferocious pack of wild dogs that had killed her younger brother, constantly guard against the Aleutian sea otter hunters, and maintain a precarious food supply.

More than this, it is an adventure of the spirit that will haunt the reader long after the book has been put down. Karana's quiet courage, her Indian self-reliance and acceptance of fate, transform what to many would have been a devastating ordeal into an uplifting experience. From loneliness and terror come strength and serenity in this Newbery Medal-winning classic.

In celebration of the book's 50th anniversary, this edition has a stunning new look, and an introduction by Lois Lowry, Newbery Medal-winning author of The Giver and Number the Stars.

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Julie of the Wolves

Jean Craighead George

Faced with the prospect of a disagreeable arranged marriage or a journey acoss the barren Alaskan tundra, 13-year-old Miyax chooses the tundra. She finds herself caught between the traditional Eskimo ways and the modern ways of the whites. Miyax, or Julie as her pen pal Amy calls her, sets out alone to visit Amy in San Francisco, a world far away from Eskimo culture and the frozen land of Alaska.

During her long and arduous journey, Miyax comes to appreciate the value of her Eskimo heritage, learns about herself, and wins the friednship of a pack of wolves. After learning the language of the wolves and slowly earning their trust, Julie becomes a member of the pack.

Since its first publication, Julie of The Wolves,winner of thr 1973 Newbery Medal, has found its way into the hearts of millions of readers.

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The Edge of the Water

Elizabeth George

A mysterious girl who won't speak; a coal black seal named Nera that returns to the same place very year; a bitter feud of unknown origin--strange things are happening on Whidbey Island, and Becca King, is drawn into the maelstrom of events.

But Becca, first met in The Edge of Nowhere, has her own secrets to hide. Still on the run from her criminal stepfather, Becca is living in a secret location. Even Derric, the Ugandan orphan with whom Becca shares a close, romantic relationship, can't be allowed to know her whereabouts.

As secrets of past and present are revealed, Becca becomes aware of her growing paranormal powers, and events build to a shocking climax anticipated by no one.

Acclaimed author Elizabeth George brings her extraordinary talents to this intriguing story that blends mystery and myth.

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The Royal Ranger: Arazan's Wolves

John Flanagan

International bestselling author John Flanagan returns to world of Ranger's Apprentice in the sixth installment of the Royal Ranger series in which Maddie and Will must travel to Celtica to investigate a series of dire wolf attacks and a dangerous sorceress.

When Maddie and Will get a message that dire wolves—huge misshapen changelings, much larger than regular wolves—have been marauding and attacking through the hills and valleys of Celtica, the Rangers are sent on a mission to unravel just who or what is behind these dangerous creatures.

Will isn’t anxious to return to Celtica, especially approaching the Rift. And as they travel, Maddie must grapple with their growing dealings with the spiritual and supernatural. But they are Rangers—and they will do whatever it takes to accomplish their mission. After they receive some offers of help from locals, Will and Maddie learn the name of the sorceress behind these strange and dangerous attacks, Arazan, along with the location of her hideout.

On the way to take her down once and for all, the Rangers must face direwolves, wargals, dark magic, and more. And as Arazan’s desires lead her to the most evil of powers, Will and Maddie must form a plan of action that can outwit not just the sorceress but the darkest forces from the beyond.

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The Beast Warrior

Nahoko Uehashi

Ten years after the fateful clash between two opposing sides of the Divine Kingdom of Lyoza, Elin lives a peaceful life with her family. She tries to stay as far away from her past as possible—the girl who communicated with creatures and befriended a Royal Beast wants no part in the power struggles of humans. But when Elin is called upon to investigate a mysterious illness that's stricken the Toda, she uncovers a startling plot—one that could threaten everything she holds dear.

In this thrilling sequel to The Beast Player, Elin must confront her destiny and heed the dire warnings of history. Is a final battle between the Toda and the Royal Beasts inevitable? And will it mean destruction for all?

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Wicked Fox

Kat Cho

An addictive fantasy-romance set in modern-day Seoul.

Eighteen-year-old Gu Miyoung has a secret--she's a gumiho, a nine-tailed fox who must devour the energy of men in order to survive. Because so few believe in the old tales anymore, and with so many evil men no one will miss, the modern city of Seoul is the perfect place to hide and hunt.

But after feeding one full moon, Miyoung crosses paths with Jihoon, a human boy, being attacked by a goblin deep in the forest. Against her better judgment, she violates the rules of survival to rescue the boy, losing her fox bead--her gumiho soul--in the process.

Jihoon knows Miyoung is more than just a beautiful girl--he saw her nine tails the night she saved his life. His grandmother used to tell him stories of the gumiho, of their power and the danger they pose to men. He's drawn to her anyway. When he finds her fox bead, he does not realize he holds her life in his hands.

With murderous forces lurking in the background, Miyoung and Jihoon develop a tenuous friendship that blossoms into something more. But when a young shaman tries to reunite Miyoung with her bead, the consequences are disastrous and reignite a generations-old feud . . . forcing Miyoung to choose between her immortal life and Jihoon's.

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Primal Animals

Julia Lynn Rubin

“Like a queer version of The Wicker Man, Julia Lynn Rubin's Primal Animals is a wonderfully-creepy mystery set under sunshine and fresh air, where nothing is what it seems and no one is what you expect. Keep your eyes open, watch your back, and beware of the flies.” —Emma Berquist, author of Missing, Presumed Dead

The Female of the Species meets Midsommar for fans of Yellowjackets
At an elite summer program,
a teen girl gets sucked into a secret society, with deadly consequences.

Protect the girls.

Arlee Gold has always lived in the shadow of her successful mom; even after everything Arlee’s been through, her mother still expects nothing but the best. In an effort to get her daughter back on track after a less-than-stellar few school years, she’s enrolled Arlee as a legacy at Camp Rockaway, an elite college prep summer camp deep in the North Carolina wilderness. On her own for the first time and buzzing with anxiety, Arlee is intimidated by the camp’s shiny exterior, suffocated by the relentless, thick summer heat...and tormented by the ceaseless stream of crawling, slimy, flapping bugs that seem to come straight from her nightmares.

In the midst of her brewing dread, Arlee is relieved to find a queer sanctuary in her bunkmates, and is especially drawn to Winnie, the enigmatic girl who sleeps in the bunk above her. Except Arlee starts to notice whispers in her wake, and how so many others recoil from her as if she were as creepy as the insects that terrify her. Struggling in her prep classes and feeling increasingly paranoid, Arlee can no longer suppress her panicked glitches.” Winnie, too, seems to become wary, and Arlee’s worst fear is confirmed: even here, in the place her mother promised was “going to change everything,” she’s been found out as a freak.

Just as she’s facing a summer completely alone, another rising junior slips her a mysterious invitation, and Arlee finds herself caught up in a secret society that expects its sisterhood to protect each other from any and all who would harm them—by any means necessary. Here, finally, Arlee feels like a part of something bigger, something that matters. Guided by their cunning leader, Lisha, a rising senior with a smile sharp enough to cut bone, the sisterhood will stand against any threat, unquestioningly. But when Winnie is put in grave danger, Arlee is forced to confront just how far her sisters will go, and whether they truly protect the girls.

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The Rogue Princess

Melanie Cellier

Kali has always dreamed of adventure, but she never expected to find it in the company of a talking cat. Puss definitely has an agenda, but he isn't sharing it with her. All she knows is that he wants a miller's child to accompany him across the Great Desert to the mysterious lands beyond.

 

Kali doesn't mean to let her opportunity go, even if she doesn't understand the purposes of the mysterious creature at her side. But when she encounters thieves and misadventure, she realizes something bigger is underway. Her people are under threat, and she can't turn her back on them-no matter how irritated she is by the fellow traveler who turns up wherever she goes. Kali knows Xavier isn't to be trusted, but she and Puss need his help. Only together can they avoid the traps laid for her and uncover the truth.

 

In this reimagining of the classic fairy tale, Puss in Boots, a miller's daughter will have to trust a tricksy cat and a handsome young man if the three of them have any hope of saving her people.

 

If you enjoy clean romance, adventure, and intrigue, then try the books in the Return to the Four Kingdoms series now! These interconnected fairy tale retellings each feature a different heroine who finds herself friendless in a strange land and who must fight to save her new home and win her happily ever after.

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Creepy Cat Vol. 3

Cotton Valent

CATASTROPHE LOOMS IN THE GLOOM!

Flora has settled into her haunted mansion with the increasingly bizarre and mischievous Creepy Cat! It’s a nice life, if she can keep it, but what will Flora do when sneaky assassins come for her? Will she end up as one more ghost in her own house, or will Creepy Cat out-prowl and out-swat those bad boys? The scary-cute adventure continues!

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My Sister, The Cat Vol. 1

senko

In this heartwarming slice-of-life comedy, a young man is adopted into a family of cats who walk, talk, and live like humans!

After losing his mother at a young age, Nekota is taken in by family friends…who happen to be a couple of human-sized walking, talking cats. Not only do his new parents have paws, tails, and furry pointed ears, but now he also has an adorable little sister, Neneko-chan! As a high schooler, he’s integrated well into their household, and his precocious adoptive sister has fully accepted him as her big brother. Whether she’s showing him things she brought home from elementary school, purrsistently asking him to play with her mouse toy, or waking him up at the same early hour every morning for breakfast, life with this charming feline family is never dull!

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Ashlords

Scott Reintgen

Red Rising meets The Scorpio Races in this epic fantasy following three phoenix horse riders--skilled at alchemy--who must compete at The Races--the modern spectacle that has replaced warfare within their empire.

Every year since the Ashlords were gifted phoenix horses by their gods, they've raced them. First into battle, then on great hunts, and finally for the pure sport of seeing who rode the fastest. Centuries of blood and fire carved their competition into a more modern spectacle: The Races.

Over the course of a multi-day event, elite riders from clashing cultures vie to be crowned champion. But the modern version of the sport requires more than good riding. Competitors must be skilled at creating and controlling phoenix horses made of ash and alchemy, which are summoned back to life each sunrise with uniquely crafted powers to cover impossible distances and challenges before bursting into flames at sunset. But good alchemy only matters if a rider knows how to defend their phoenix horse at night. Murder is outlawed, but breaking bones and poisoning ashes? That's all legal and encouraged.

In this year's Races, eleven riders will compete, but three of them have more to lose than the rest--a champion's daughter, a scholarship entrant, and a revolutionary's son. Who will attain their own dream of glory? Or will they all flame out in defeat?

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Grand Theft Horse

Greg Neri

Yummy author G. Neri returns to graphic novels with the powerful story of his cousin Gail Ruffu, who stole a racehorse in order to save it, and ended up fighting the whole racing industry for the humane treatment of animals.

Gail Ruffu was a rookie trainer known for her unconventional methods and ability to handle dangerous horses. When she became part owner of an untamed thoroughbred named Urgent Envoy, everything changed. After Urgent Envoy showed real promise, her co-owners forced Gail to speed up training and race him too early, causing the horse to develop a hairline shin fracture. Refusing to drug the horse to keep it running, Gail lost Urgent Envoy to her partners, who pushed the horse even harder. One more race would kill him. When nobody heeded her warnings, Gail had to act.

So on Christmas Eve, she rescued her own horse. A modern-day outlaw, Gail evaded private investigators and refused to give the horse up. Blacklisted by the racing world, she learned the law at night to take on a powerful L.A. attorney determined to crush her in court. As she stood up for the humane treatment of racehorses, she also faced down the system that caused their demise.

In this gorgeous graphic biography, G. Neri, author of the acclaimed Yummy and Ghetto Cowboy, retells the life of his cousin Gail, a pioneer who challenged the horse racing world for the sake of one extraordinary horse. With illustrations by brilliant newcomer Corban Wilkin, it is a must-read for horse lovers everywhere.

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Racing Savannah

Miranda Kenneally

Breakout star Miranda Kenneally returns with a delicious novel of forbidden romance

They're from two different worlds. He lives in the estate house, and she spends most of her time in the stables helping her father train horses. In fact, Savannah has always been much more comfortable around horses than boys. Especially boys like Jack Goodwin. She knows the rules—no mixing between the staff and the Goodwin family. But Jack has no such boundaries. And with her dream of becoming a professional horse trainer herself, Savannah isn't exactly one to follow the rules either...

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Charley's Horse

Judith Shaw

Charley's Horse is the story of Charley Rittenberg, an eleven-year-old girl who is crazy about horses. She knows everything about themâexcept how to ride.When her parents split up, Charley is sent to away to riding camp. She resists, but in the end, the lure of her own horse for the summer is too strong. She'll live with girls who love horses as much as she does, and she'll learn to ride. But her summer horse hates her, the girls in her cabin think she's a freak, and riding lessons scare her silly. A secret friend is all that makes camp bearable.Charley's Horse is the story of a young girl's journey through obstacles, isolation, and trials of courage. It's about the chasm between dreams and reality, about the difficulty of fitting in, overcoming fear and insecurity, and finding a way to stay true to herself. It's also about horses and riding, from an author who spent twenty-five years doing nothing but.This is not just a novel for horse-mad girls. Kids of any gender and almost any age will find themselves in this honest and heartwarming coming of age story.

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The Secret Language of Prairie Dogs

James Villanueva

"A slow-paced, culturally rich story." - Kirkus Reviews

Seventeen-year-old Santos Ramos is a curandero - Latinx shaman - living in desolate West Texas. When a mute boy crosses the border through a sinister smuggler, Santos finds himself fascinated by the voiceless teen.

Santos craves a more traditional high school life of parties, studying for the SATs, and writing for the school blog, but he was born with el don - the gift. People come to him for spiritual healing. Like his past Aztec roots, though, asking God for healing comes with the sacrifices of fevered charms, personal objects, snake venom, and even the blood of animals.

He struggles to keep his identity as el don from his All-American best friends, Maverick and Victor, who, like most of the town, are intrigued to know about the mysterious "Monster of Southland." The legendary hidden figure lurks at night, leaving behind a trail of animal carcasses as sacrifices.

Sixteen-year-old Dulcero Lopez and his younger sister emigrate from Honduras after witnessing the brutal murder of his parents, causing him to have aphasia and lose the ability to speak.

The two head north to the USA, where Dulcero is separated from her by ICE. Voiceless Dulcero is sent to live with his abusive uncle, Juan, who is a coyote and who he cannot pay for bringing him over. His only way out of this hell and to be reunited with his little sister is through the healing hands of Santos.

The end of his junior year has Santos questioning everything about who he is as a curandero while craving the freedom of becoming the teen he aches to be. When Dulcero arrives, Santos finds himself like the trailing dying light of a midnight star, falling - falling fast in love with the voiceless visitor who needs his healing hands.

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Again Again

E. Lockhart

This twisty novel from the New York Times bestselling author of We Were Liars and Genuine Fraud asks: What if there were infinite universes and infinite ways to fall in love?

If you could live your life again, what would you do differently?

After a near-fatal family catastrophe and an unexpected romantic upheaval, Adelaide Buchwald finds herself catapulted into a summer of wild possibility, during which she will fall in and out of love a thousand times--while finally confronting the secrets she keeps, her ideas about love, and the weird grandiosity of the human mind.

A raw, funny story that will surprise you over and over, Again Again gives us an indelible heroine grappling with the terrible and wonderful problem of loving other people.

"Inventive, philosophical and romantic." --GAYLE FORMAN, #1 New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay

Don't miss, Family of Liars, the eagerly anticipated prequel to the New York Times Bestselling phenomenon, We Were Liars. Available in May 2022!

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The Story of Us

Deb Caletti

A week of her mother’s wedding chaos brings a new boy and numerous other complications into Cricket’s life in this funny and romantic novel from Printz Honor medal winner and National Book Award finalist Deb Caletti.

Cricket’s on a self-imposed break from her longtime boyfriend, but she’s picked a bad week to sort out her love life. For one thing, her mother’s romance is taking center stage—after jilting two previous fiancés, her mom is finally marrying Dan Jax, whom Cricket loves. And as wedding attendees arrive for a week of festivities at a guesthouse, Cricket discovers the guesthouse’s hippie owners have a sweet and sexy son—Ash—who Cricket can’t help being drawn to despite her current romantic predicament.

Meanwhile, complications abound: Cricket’s future stepsisters are busy making it clear they’re not happy about the marriage; an old friend decides this is the week to declare his love for Cricket; Grandpa reveals a big secret at a family gathering; and Dan’s ex-wife shows up. Even the dogs—Cricket’s old, ill Jupiter and Dan’s young, lively Cruiser—seem to be declaring war.

While Cricket fears that Dan is in danger of becoming ditched husband-to-be number three, she’s also alarmed by her own desires. Because even though her boyfriend looms large in her mind, Ash is right in front of her…

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Paintings from the Cave

Gary Paulsen

Meet Jake who lives in a neighborhood controlled by street violence and fear. He meets a sculptor across the street, and his eyes are opened to another world.  Or Jojo,who's closer to her three dogs than to her foster family. When Jojo tries to help another girl who needs a friend, the dogs know what to do.  Or Jamie, Erik, and Grandpa, who make up an unusual family.

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Danger and Other Unknown Risks

Ryan North

"Easily my favorite book of the year.” —Tillie Walden, Eisner Award–winning creator of Spinning

A twisty, spellbinding adventure about a girl and her dog who want to save the world, Danger and Other Unknown Risks is the highly anticipated YA graphic novel debut from Eisner Award-winning and New York Times bestselling creators Ryan North and Erica Henderson.


I'm gonna tell you a story, and I'm gonna ask that you let me finish before you say anything.

Here’s the deal—on midnight of January 1st, 2000, the world ended. But it wasn’t technology that killed it: It was magic. Now, years later, the Earth has transformed. Magic works (sort of). People are happy (sort of). But this new world isn’t stable, and unless Marguerite de Pruitt and her canine pal, Daisy, do something about it, it’ll tilt into deadly chaos. Good thing they’ve been training their whole lives for this and are destined to succeed. Or so they think.

Ryan North and Erica Henderson, the bestselling masterminds behind Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, serve up a graphic novel that is equally laugh-out-loud adventure and emotional gut punch. A story about the search for truth, chosen family, and rebirth, the journey of Marguerite and Daisy seeks to ask one vital question: How far are you willing to go to save the world?

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Whippoorwill

Joseph Monninger

"Unexpected, generous, and poignant." --Huntley Fitzpatrick, author of What I Thought Was True Sixteen-year-old Clair Taylor has neighbors who are what locals call whippoorwills, the kind of people who fill their yards with rusty junk. Clair tries to ignore her surroundings, choosing instead to dream of a future beyond her rural New Hampshire town. But, when a black dog named Wally is chained up to a pole next door, Clair can't look the other way. Clair decides to save Wally, and the immediate connection she has with the lovable dog catches her off-guard, but even more surprising is her bond with eighteen-year-old Danny Stewart, the boy next door.

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Gather

Kenneth M. Cadow

A National Book Award Finalist
A Michael L. Printz Honor Book

"Arguably one of the finest novels of the year."--Booklist (starred review)

A resourceful teenager in rural Vermont struggles to hold on to the family home while his mom recovers from addiction in this striking debut novel.


Ian Gray isn't supposed to have a dog, but a lot of things that shouldn't happen end up happening anyway. And Gather, Ian's adopted pup, is good company now that Ian has to quit the basketball team, find a job, and take care of his mom as she tries to overcome her opioid addiction. Despite the obstacles thrown their way, Ian is determined to keep his family afloat no matter what it takes. And for a little while, things are looking up: Ian makes friends, and his fondness for the outdoors and for fixing things lands him work helping neighbors. But an unforeseen tragedy results in Ian and his dog taking off on the run, trying to evade a future that would mean leaving their house and their land. Even if the community comes together to help him, would Ian and Gather have a home to return to?

Told in a wry, cautious first-person voice that meanders like a dog circling to be sure it's safe to lie down, Kenneth M. Cadow's resonant debut brings an emotional and ultimately hopeful story of one teen's resilience in the face of unthinkable hardships.

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Rise of the Snake Goddess-A Samantha Knox Novel, Book 2

Jenny Elder Moke

"You haven't lived until you've read a Samantha Knox novel."--Jen Calonita, New York Times best-selling author of the A Twisted Tale series

After being snubbed by her college's archaeology department for an honor she rightfully earned, Sam is hell-bent on proving her worth to her misogynistic department head. So when an opportunity presents itself to solve the hidden meaning behind a symbol found inside a cave in Greece, Sam is all over it, and she's bringing Bennett and Jo with her for the cross-Atlantic trip. Once on the island of Crete, Sam finds a treasure she never expected--the golden girdle of an ancient and powerful goddess--and she can't resist its siren call, or the accolades she would win for discovering it. But before she can take credit for the find, the girdle is stolen and the island is hit with a series of earthquakes that don't feel quite coincidental.

Soon Sam, Bennett, and Jo are embroiled in a wild hunt--one that takes them to tiny island shops, a glamorous high-stakes auction, and a fiery, near-death experience--to find the girdle before someone can use it to raise the ancient goddess from her slumber. An unexpected heist, a terrifying trek through a labyrinth, and a fight to the death with the Minotaur itself lead to a final standoff she and her friends won't soon forget--one that might just break up Sam and Bennett for good.

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A Whisper of Horses

Zillah Bethell

Will she find the last horses on earth?

Serendipity lives inside a walled city. Before her mother died, she gave Seren an old figurine of a horse. Horses no longer exist in Serendipity’s world, but when she discovers a map that may lead her to real horses, she starts on a journey that will take her far from everything she knows. Traveling with an orphan boy, Tab, and his beloved dog, she's soon on the run from a powerful and dangerous man who will do anything to make sure Serendipity never leaves the walled city again.

Zillah Bethell’s middle-grade fiction debut A Whisper of Horses is original, breathtaking, adventurous, and moving. It is a story of friendship, perseverance, and resilience that readers won’t soon forget.

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The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole

Michelle Cuevas

 

A girl's friendship with a lonely black hole leads her to face her own sadness in this original, funny, and touching middle grade novel for fans of Crenshaw and Flora & Ulysses.
When eleven-year-old Stella Rodriguez shows up at NASA to request that her recording be included in Carl Sagan's Golden Record, something unexpected happens: A black hole follows her home, and sets out to live in her house as a pet. The black hole swallows everything he touches, which is challenging to say the least--but also turns out to be a convenient way to get rid of those items that Stella doesn't want around. Soon the ugly sweaters her aunt has made for her all disappear within the black hole, as does the smelly class hamster she's taking care of, and most important, all the reminders of her dead father that are just too painful to have around.

It's not until Stella, her younger brother, Cosmo, the family puppy, and even the bathroom tub all get swallowed up by the black hole that Stella comes to realize she has been letting her own grief consume her. And that's not the only thing she realizes as she attempts to get back home. This is an astonishingly original and funny adventure with a great big heart.

 

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Eragon

Christopher Paolini

When Eragon finds a polished blue stone in the forest, he thinks it is the lucky discovery of a poor farm boy; perhaps it will buy his family meat for the winter. But when the stone brings a dragon hatchling, Eragon realizes he has stumbled upon a legacy nearly as old as the Empire itself. Overnight his simple life is shattered, and he is thrust into a perilous new world of destiny, magic, and power. With only an ancient sword and the advice of an old storyteller for guidance, Eragon and the fledgling dragon must navigate the dangerous terrain and dark enemies of an Empire ruled by a king whose evil knows no bounds. Can Eragon take up the mantle of the legendary Dragon Riders? The fate of the Empire may rest in his hands... .

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Yellow Dog

Miriam Körner

"Körner hits the mark exploring the passions of a young boy and his relationships... Heartwarming and optimistic."
-- Kirkus Reviews

"Körner, a Saskatchewan resident and sled dog owner, vividly portrays life in the Canadian north, including a shocking scene with a stray dog, and seeds the novel with authentic dog team culture and history. VERDICT Hand this touching coming-of-age adventure to fans of Gary Paulsen's Hatchet."
-- School Library Journal

Jeremy lives in a small community where winters are long and stray dogs roam the streets. When peer pressure leads Jeremy into a bad prank, he is immediately struck with guilt -- and that's when his life changes forever. Trying to make amends, Jeremy befriends Yellow Dog and in the process meets a curious old man who introduces him to the adventures of dog sledding. Soon Jeremy is forming his own old-time dog team that includes Yellow Dog and in the process, discovers more about himself -- and the old man -- than he ever thought possible.

A Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Awards nominee for 2018

On CCBC's Best Books for Kids and Teens starred selection

A VOYA Magazine Top Shelf Fiction Award Winner for 2017

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The Lovely and the Lost

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Kira Bennett's earliest memories are of living alone and wild in the woods. She has no idea how long she was on her own or what she had to do to survive, but she remembers the moment that Cady Bennett and one of her search-and-rescue dogs found her. Adopted into the Bennett family, Kira still struggles with human interaction years later, but she excels at the family business: search and rescue. Together with Cady's son, Jude, and their neighbor, Free, Kira works alongside Cady to train the world's most elite search-and-rescue dogs. Someday, all three teenagers hope to put their skills to use, finding the lost and bringing them home.
When Cady's estranged father, the enigmatic Bales Bennett, tracks his daughter down and asks for her help in locating a missing child-one of several visitors who has disappeared in the Sierra Glades National Park in the past twelve months-the teens find themselves on the front lines sooner than they could have ever expected. As the search through seven hundred and fifty thousand acres of unbridled wilderness intensifies, Kira becomes obsessed with finding the missing child. She knows all too well what it's like to be lost in the wilderness, fighting for survival, alone.
But this case isn't simple. There is more afoot than a single missing girl, and Kira's memories threaten to overwhelm her at every turn. As the danger mounts and long-held family secrets come to light, Kira is forced to question everything she thought she knew about her adopted family, her true nature, and her past.

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Hermit Crabs

Christina Leaf

Hermit crabs are favorite pets for young kids! This introductory title shows what it takes to care for these critters, from habitat needs to changing shells. Features include a labeled diagram of a tank and common species of this pet. Simple sentences and clear photos help students who are just starting to read grow along with these fun pets!

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Turtle

Lynn Hamilton

Fun-filled facts and tips on proper care of animals can be found within the pages of theMy Pet series. Each volume provides information about breeds, myths, behaviours, as well as how to house, feed, and care for a pet.

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Chinchillas

Vanessa Black

"In Chinchillas, early readers will learn all about the responsibilities of having a chinchilla and find out how they can keep their pet healthy and happy. Vibrant, full-color photos and carefully leveled text will engage emergent readers as they discover what it takes to be a pet owner.A labeled diagram helps readers understand what a chinchilla needs, while a picture glossary reinforces new vocabulary. Children can learn more about pet chinchillas online using our safe search engine that provides relevant, age-appropriate websites. Chinchillas also features reading tips for teachers and parents, a table of contents, and an index.Chinchillas is part of Jump!'s My First Pet series."

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Rita's Rhino

Tony Ross

When Rita's mum refuses to get her a pet, Rita goes to the zoo and soon returns with a rhinoceros in tow. But keeping a pet rhino a secret in a small apartment and taking care of him, prove to be much trickier than she ever imagined! This is a hilarious take on the responsibility of pet ownership.

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COME OUT, COME OUT, CHAMELEON!

Jonty Howley

A hilarious picture book about an old man and his colour-changing pet that’ll have kids laughing and shouting ‘COME OUT, COME OUT, CHAMELEON!’

I have a pet chameleon. The only thing is... I’ve never actually seen him.

A charming old man is searching everywhere for his pet chameleon. His dog tries to help... but the man just can’t see his colourful pet! The clever chameleon camouflages himself as a flower, a banana, a sock, and much more. When the man finds some pet care instructions stuck to the bottom of his slippers, he realizes that all he needs to do is shout ‘COME OUT, COME OUT, CHAMELEON!’ to make the chameleon appear... but the visual twist on the final spread will have children squealing and laughing out loud.

A brilliantly funny, creative, and engaging picture book from the bestselling author of Big Boys Cry and The Animal Song. Howley's vivid artwork style will appeal to adults and children alike. Young readers will love feeling clever as they spot the disguised chameleon on every page, and of course join in with their loudest voice: ‘COME OUT, COME OUT, CHAMELEON!’.

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Let's Take Care of Our New Frog

Alejandro Algarra

Titles in the Let's Take Care of ... color-illustrated series introduce younger boys and girls to the fun and responsibility of pet ownership. Each book tells the story of a boy and girl who get a pet and learn how to care for it. These charming books emphasize that acquiring a pet is an exciting adventure for children, and it often makes little difference whether the new pet is as tiny as a frog or as large as a hound. Kids who read these books will share the excitement of the stories' children as an introduction to getting a pet of their own. A Guidelines section supplements each story with advice and information on pet care that is geared to children's capabilities. Parents and kids will want to read that section together.

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Birds

Christina Leaf

Tweet, tweet! Birds can be rewarding pets! This lowl-level title introduces beginning readers to the joys and basic care of owning a pet bird through easy-to-read text and colorful photos. Features include a diagram of a pet bird's home and favorite toys. Young students practicing independent reading can find out if a pet bird is right for them!

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Be a Hamster and Guinea Pig Expert

Gemma Barder

Do you know your Syrian hamsters from your Skinny Pigs? Whether you own a hamster, rat, or guinea pig, this guide to everything rodent is packed with essential information from the usefulness of rodents in history to how to look after different kinds of rodents to other fascinating facts.

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Let's Take Care of Our New Leopard Gecko

Alejandro Algarra

Titles in the Let's Take Care of ... color-illustrated series introduce younger boys and girls to the fun and responsibility of pet ownership. Each book tells the story of a boy and girl who get a pet and learn how to care for it. These charming books emphasize that acquiring a pet is an exciting adventure for children, and it often makes little difference whether the new pet is as tiny as a frog or as large as a hound. Kids who read these books will share the excitement of the stories' children as an introduction to getting a pet of their own. A Guidelines section supplements each story with advice and information on pet care that is geared to children's capabilities. Parents and kids will want to read that section together.

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My First Book of House Pets

duopress labs

My First Book of House Pets is a beautiful introduction to the world of furry, fluffy, and all-around adorable pets for babies and toddlers.

Like other titles in the earth-friendly series Terra Babies at Home, this book helps tots develop a connection with the natural world and is made with FSC materials and nontoxic inks.

Simple and quirky text pairs with charming art by Åsa Gilland in this book where animal lovers will learn about house pets in a friendly and easy way while being introduced to basic concepts of animal care and the environment.

"Cats purr to communicate. They purr when they are happy," we read. "Dogs love to play, and you can teach them tricks." Readers will learn to make a fish face, that hamsters are lively friends, and that lizards have cool names. And that's not all: The book shows readers how to pick a pet from a local shelter and the importance of keeping a pet healthy and giving it tons of love!

Also available:

Terra Babies at Home: My First Book of Houseplants

Terra Babies at Home: My First Book of Growing Food

Terra Babies at Home: My First Book of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

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Curious about Lizards

Alissa Thielges

Can I take my lizard on a walk? Spark kids' natural curiosity about pets with this inquiry-based nonfiction book about lizards. From the cuddly bearded dragon to large iguanas, lizards make interesting pets. Nine questions that kids would ask and well-researched, easy-to-understand answers teach readers about life with these reptiles, including terrarium needs, handling techniques, and lizard behaviors like head bobbing and arm waving. Simple infographics support visual learning. A Stay Curious! feature encourages kids to keep asking questions and models media literacy skills. Includes table of contents, glossary, and index. Perfect for curious kids in early elementary grades.

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Weird Pets

Heidi Adelman

Dogs and cats are common pets, but what about sharing your home with more bizarre critters? Corn snakes, tarantulas, hermit crabs...learn about some of the world's weirder pets inside!

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Some Pets

Angela DiTerlizzi

The duo that brought you the “bright” and “breezy” (Booklist) Some Bugs is back with a vibrant companion book that’s packed with your favorite pets.

Some pets sit.
Some pets stay.
Some pets fetch,
And some pets play.


Come one, come all, to the pet show! With dogs and cats, horses and chickens, hamsters and chinchillas—and many, many more!—this book celebrates animal companions of all shapes and sizes. Who will take home the coveted Best in Show ribbon? Join the fun to find out!

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Allergic

Megan Wagner Lloyd

A coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel featuring a girl with severe allergies who just wants to find the perfect pet!

 

At home, Maggie is the odd one out. Her parents are preoccupied with getting ready for a new baby, and her younger brothers are twins and always in their own world. Maggie loves animals and thinks a new puppy to call her own is the answer, but when she goes to select one on her birthday, she breaks out in hives and rashes. She's severely allergic to anything with fur!

Can Maggie outsmart her allergies and find the perfect pet? With illustrations by Michelle Mee Nutter, Megan Wagner Lloyd uses inspiration from her own experiences with allergies to tell a heartfelt story of family, friendship, and finding a place to belong.

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Surprise Puppy!

Judith Walker-Hodge

The bestselling DK Readers series has a fresh new look featuring redesigned jackets and interiors, and up-to-date vocabulary throughout. In DK Readers, stunning photographs combine with lively illustrations and engaging age-appropriate stories, creating a multilevel reading program guaranteed to capture children's interest while developing their reading skills and general knowledge.

Written by leading children's authors and compiled in consultation with literacy experts, these captivating books build reader confidence along with a lifelong appreciation for nonfiction, classic stories, and biographies. There is a DK Reader to interest every child at every level, from preschool to grade four.

With DK Readers, children learn to read -- then read to learn!

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My Crocodile Does Not Bite

Joe Kulka

Ernest's crocodile does not bite! It's very well trained. But when Ernest brings the crocodile to the school's pet show, his rival Cindy Lou gets very rude.

Cindy Lou is sure her poodle Fifi will win best in show. She doesn't think Ernest's croc should be allowed to compete. But Ernest and his friend have some tricks prepared. They're going to prove that when a crocodile's not busy biting, it can really put on a show!

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Puppy, Puppy, Puppy

Julie Sternberg

Featuring the adorable duo of Baby and Puppy, here is a perfect picture book for the youngest of children.

Baby and Puppy are inseparable. From the moment they wake up in the morning to when they go to bed at night, the two do everything together—from sharing breakfast to making a mess of the garden. Even nap time cannot keep the two apart for long, as Puppy finds a way to stay near Baby. Julie Sternberg’s sweet, spare text is fun to read aloud and complements Fred Koehler’s humorous and heartwarming illustrations.

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Fish Swim

Rebecca Glaser

"A sure toddler's delight."--Kirkus Reviews



Don't miss the delights of Puppies Chase,Kittens Pounce, and Bunnies Hop!

"Where are you?" one playful fish asks. Pet fish play peek-a-boo, wiggle, race, eat, and swim all around.



Combining charming photos of active fish with repeated sound effects and short sentences, this board book is a perfect recipe for inspiring little ones to read, play, and move. The simple photographs give even non-readers plenty to look at on their own, and caregivers and older siblings will enjoy sharing these with babies and toddlers.



Part of the Amicus Ink Board Books collection featuring pets, farm animals, vehicles, and wild animals.
 

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Kitten Nobody Wanted

Holly Webb

When Mia loses her beloved cat, Sandy, she can't ever imagine having a cat again. Mia never wants to forget or replace Sandy! Until her friend's cat has kittens and one of them would be just perfect for Mia! Can Mia allow another cat in her life?

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Brina the Cat #1

Giorgio Salati

Brina, a city cat, moved to the mountains with the owners for a summer holiday. Here she meets some stray cats who call themselves “The Gang of the Feline Sun". The new friends convince her to escape her owners and become a free cat. But while Brina enjoys her newfound freedom and all the new types of delectable bugs the countryside has to offer, her young owners are panicking over losing her, a member of their family. Brina must make a choice to live with her owners, where it’s safe (but confined) or go free in the wilderness. A heartwarming tender cat tale.

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Pet Jokes That Will Make You Howl!

Terry Pierce

What state has the most cats? Catifornia What's a dog's favorite festival? Mardi paw. What's a toad's favorite part of the newspaper? The wart ads. From snaky "Hiss-terical Humor" to "Polly Wants a Crack-Up," these wildly funny jokes will have animal-loving kids howling in amusement. They can choose from "Jokes that are Bad to the Bone," "Wild Movies" (Jurassic Bark), and "Tabby's Text Messaging."
 

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A Garden of Creatures

Sheila Heti

A tender and deeply moving picture book about loss and the big questions it leaves behind from New York Times bestselling author Sheila Heti and acclaimed illustrator Esmé Shapiro.

Two bunnies and a cat live happily together in a beautiful garden. But when the big bunny passes away, the little bunny is unsure how to fill the void she left behind. A strange dream prompts her to begin asking questions: Why do the creatures we love have to die, and where do we go when we die? How come life works this way? With the wisdom of the cat to guide her, the little bunny learns that missing someone is a way of keeping them close. And together they discover that the big bunny is a part of everything around them -- the grass, the air, the leaves -- for the world is a garden of creatures.

With its meditative text, endearing illustrations and life-affirming message, A Garden of Creatures reveals how the interconnectedness of nature and the sweetness of friendship can be a warm embrace even in the darkest times.

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Presidential Pets

Julia Moberg

This inside look at the White House's animal residents features a rollicking, rhyming verse for each commander-in-chief's pets, accompanied by cool facts, presidential stats, and laugh-out-loud cartoon art. John Quincy Adams kept an alligator in the bathtub, while Thomas Jefferson's pride and joy was his pair of bear cubs. Andrew Jackson had a potty-mouthed parrot, and Martin Van Buren got into a fight with Congress over his two baby tigers. First daughter Caroline Kennedy's pony Macaroni had free reign over the White House. But the pet-owning winner of all the presidents was Theodore Roosevelt, who had a hyena, lion, zebra, badger, snake, rats, a nippy dog that bit the French ambassador, and more!

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Unusual Pet Pals

Pat Jacobs

From where they sleep to what they eat and how you can make them feel safe and at home, this book gives you pet care advice on a variety of different pets. Learn the inside information on how to care for and understand the behavior of pets such as snakes, insects, chinchillas, newts, and salamanders.

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Hello, World! Pets

Jill McDonald

 

 

Learn from home and explore the world with these fun and easy board books!Toddlers can learn all about different pet types and how to be a great animal companion with the popular Hello, World! board book series, with easy-to-understand facts about cats, dogs, rabbits, and even less fuzzy pets, such as fish, frogs, and lizards.

Hello, World! is a series designed to introduce first nonfiction concepts to babies and toddlers. Told in clear and easy terms ("Fish have lived on Earth since before the dinosaurs!") and featuring bright, cheerful illustrations, Hello, World! makes learning fun for young children. And each page offers helpful prompts for engaging with your child. It's a perfect way to bring science and nature into the busy world of a toddler, where learning never stops.

Look for all the books in the Hello, World! series:
• Solar System
• Weather
• Backyard Bugs
• Birds
• Dinosaurs
• My Body
• How Do Apples Grow?
• Ocean Life
• Moon Landing
• Pets
• Arctic Animals
• Construction Site
• Rainforest Animals
• Planet Earth 
• Reptiles
• Cars and Trucks 
• Music
• Baby Animals
• On the Farm
• Garden Time
• Planes and Other Flying Machines
• Rocks and Minerals
• Snow
• Let's Go Camping
• School Day

 

 

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Pets

Lauren Kukla

Celebrate pets with this fun seek-and-find title! Hundreds of objects are hidden inside full-color photo puzzles featuring your favorite animal friends and more. Each to-find list includes pictographs and word labels to engage pre-readers and early readers alike.

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The EXpets

Mark Tatulli

Perfect for fans of Captain Underpants and Dog Man, this first book in a hilarious new middle grade graphic novel series follows a stinky dog reluctantly recruited by a team of super-pets to rescue missing kittens!

Bosco the dog loves being a house pet, loves his comfy dog bed and nice big house and, of course, his favorite toy kitty. So when two burglars break in, Bosco defends his home with all his might, which includes releasing some well-timed—and near supersonic—stink that repels the would-be thieves. With his foes in retreat, Bosco thinks it’s all over…until a robot descends from the sky.

The flying robot delivers Bosco to the city and tells him that, due to his unusual “abilities,” he’s been chosen to become one of the eXpets, a team of superheroes with extraordinary abilities who team up to solve problems of all sizes. Bosco would be joining a turtle mastermind, a laser-eyed kitty, Wonder-Guppy, and Ginormous Gerbil. The mission? Rescuing the world’s kittens, who have all gone mysteriously missing. Bosco isn’t sure he’s all that extraordinary and certainly doesn’t enjoy tasks with a lot of pressure. But…how can he turn his back on kittens?!

Can the ragtag group move past getting off on the wrong paw to track down the catnapped cuties and save the day?

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Pumpkin and Me

Alicia Acosta

When Pumpkin, my dog, died, everyone at home was sad. The next day, a dark cloud began to follow me around and it felt like I had soap in my eyes and an octopus wrapped tightly around my heart...
Written by the renowned child author and psychologist, Alicia Acosta, this uplifting, beautifully illustrated story explores themes of loss and grief and the power of memories.

 

También disponible en español. (Also available in Spanish.)

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Your Pets' Secret Lives: The Truth Behind Your Pets' Wildest Behaviors

Eleanor Spicer Rice

From poop-eating pups to supersmooth spy snakes, get a glimpse of our pets' amazing secret lives with this funny and fact-filled exposé!

Butt-sniffing dogs. Terrified tarantulas. Canaries with invisible force fields? Yep--it turns out our pets experience the world in totally different ways than we do. Unlock some of your nonhuman family members' wildest behaviors in this hilarious (and sometimes shiver-worthy) illustrated guide to their secret lives, complete with exciting interviews with the scientists who research them. From fierce hamster stink wars to the hidden wild side of Bubbles the goldfish, who knew there was so much more to understand about our furry and scaly friends? Back matter includes websites for do-it-yourself research, a bibliography of real studies and scientists, a glossary, and even some how-to-draws (how about tapeworms high-fiving on a poop rocket?). Bold, playful illustrations and witty text combine in this delightfully fun and gross page-flipper from the team behind Your Hidden Life: Unseen Jungle.

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DK Super Readers Pre-Level Pets

Libby Romero

Help your child power up their reading skills and learn all about bees and why we need them with this fun-filled nonfiction reader carefully leveled to help children progress.

DK Super Readers Pre-Level: Save the Bees will introduce kids to everything they need to know about bees--including fun facts about different bees, the essential work they do for our planet, and the ways we can protect them--and is a motivating introduction to using essential nonfiction reading skills, proving ideal for children ready to enter the riveting world of reading.

DK Super Readers take children on a journey through the wonderful world of nonfiction: traveling back to the time of dinosaurs, learning more about animals, exploring natural wonders and more, all while developing vital nonfiction reading skills and progressing from first words to reading confidently.

The DK Super Readers series can help your child practice reading by:

- Covering engaging, motivating, curriculum-aligned topics.
- Building knowledge while progressing key Grades Pre-K and K reading skills.
- Developing subject vocabulary on topics such as bees, the environment, and ecosystems.
- Boosting understanding and retention through comprehension quizzes.

Each title, which has been leveled using MetaMetrics®: The Lexile Framework for Reading, integrates science, geography, history, and nature topics so there's something for all children's interests. The books and online content perfectly supplement core literacy programs and are mapped to the Common Core Standards. Children will love powering up their nonfiction reading skills and becoming reading heroes.

DK Super Readers Pre-level titles are visually engaging, full of fun facts, and introduce children to the wonderful world of nonfiction. Perfect to help children ages 3 to 5 (Grades Pre-K and K) who are ready to enter the world of reading.

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Pets

Mel Hammond

If you're an animal lover or you're trying to convince your family that you're ready for the responsibility of caring for a pet, this book is for you. In these pages, you'll find everything you need to know about getting a pet, taking care of it, and giving it as much love as possible. You can take quizzes, make crafts and recipes, and read advice and stories from animal-loving girls like you to help you become the best pet lover you can be!

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Dogland

Tommy Tomlinson

“Delightful.” —Town & Country “Extraordinary...Tomlinson’s book is a gem.” —Star Tribune (Minneapolis) “Moving...Really broke me.” —The Washington Post “This book wants to lick your face. Let it.” —Kirkus Reviews

Pulitzer Prize finalist Tommy Tomlinson explores the bond between dogs and their people in this irresistibly appealing, inside account of the Westminster Dog Show that follows one dog on his quest to become a champion.

Tommy Tomlinson was watching a dog show on television a few years ago when he had a sudden thought: Are those dogs happy? How about pet dogs—are they happy? Those questions sparked a quest to venture inside the dog-show world, in search of a deeper understanding of the longtime relationship between dogs and humans, and here, in Dogland he shares his surprising, entertaining, and moving adventures.

Spending three years on the road, Tomlinson goes behind the scenes at more than one hundred competitions across the country, from Midwestern fairgrounds to Madison Square Garden. Along the way he is licked, sniffed, and rubbed up against by dogs of nearly every size, shape, and breed. Like a real-life version of the classic mockumentary Best in Show, Dogland follows one champion show dog—a Samoyed named Striker—as well as his handler, Laura King, and his devoted entourage of breeders and owners as he competes in the 2022 Westminster Dog Show.

Striker’s whole career has been leading up to this moment. As Tomlinson writes, picking a top show dog is like drafting an NFL quarterback when they’re still in elementary school. Now Striker has made it to the Super Bowl. Tomlinson takes us on the long road to glory, bringing the dog-show circuit to life as teams scramble from town to town in search of championship ribbons. (Striker and his crew travel in a custom-built RV named after Betty White.)

Tomlinson’s limitless curiosity about people and dogs reaches far beyond the show tents and into the ordinary lives of dogs. We hear from experts who have discovered new insights into how dogs and humans formed their bond—and how that bond has changed over the centuries. We discover the fascinating origins of different dog breeds, learn about the elaborate breed standards that determine an ideal show dog, and consider the health issues that can arise in purebred dogs. We also meet dog lovers who applaud every dog, regardless of breed, simply for being themselves, such as WeRateDogs, the social media phenomenon with millions of followers, all for posts celebrating the day-to-day goofiness in most dog owners’ lives.

“A big ol’ slobbering smooch of optimism, laughter, and happiness” (Joe Posnanski) Dogland takes us on a rollicking tour through the rituals, tricks, and wonders of the dog-show world—and reveals what matters most for the happiness of dogs and dog lovers everywhere.

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A Dog's Purpose

W. Bruce Cameron

A Dog’s Purpose—the #1 New York Times bestseller and major motion picture—is a perfect gift to introduce dog lovers to this wonderful series.

Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, from director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The 100-Foot Journey), shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

The family film told from the dog’s perspective also stars Britt Robertson, KJ Apa, John Ortiz, Peggy Lipton, Juliet Rylance, Luke Kirby, Pooch Hall and Dennis Quaid. A Dog’s Purpose is produced by Gavin Polone (Zombieland, TV’s Gilmore Girls). The film from Amblin Entertainment and Walden Media will be distributed by Universal Pictures. Screenplay by W. Bruce Cameron & Cathryn Michon and Audrey Wells and Maya Forbes & Wally Wolodarsky.

Heartwarming, insightful, and often laugh-out-loud funny, A Dog's Purpose is not only the emotional and hilarious story of a dog's many lives, but also a dog's-eye commentary on human relationships and the unbreakable bonds between man and man's best friend. This moving and beautifully crafted story teaches us that love never dies, that our true friends are always with us, and that every creature on earth is born with a purpose.

Bailey's story continues in A Dog's Journey, the charming New York Times and USA Today bestselling direct sequel to A Dog's Purpose.

A Dog's Purpose Series
#1 A Dog’s Purpose
#2 A Dog’s Journey
#3 A Dog's Promise

Books for Young Readers
Ellie's Story: A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tale
Bailey’s Story: A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tale
Molly's Story: A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tale
Max's Story: A Dog’s Purpose Puppy Tale
Toby's Story: A Dog's Purpose Puppy Tale
Shelby's Story: A Dog's Way Home Novel

The Rudy McCann Series
The Midnight Plan of the Repo Man
Repo Madness

Other Novels
A Dog's Way Home
The Dog Master
The Dogs of Christmas
Emory’s Gift

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The Cat Who Could Read Backwards

Lilian Jackson Braun

THE FIRST COZY MYSTERY IN THE BELOVED NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING CAT WHO SERIES!

The world of modern art is a mystery to many. But for Jim Qwilleran, it turns into a mystery of another sort when his assignment for The Daily Fluxion leads down the path to murder.

A stabbing in an art gallery, vandalized paintings, a fatal fall from a scaffolding—this is not at all what Qwilleran expects when he turns his reporter talents to art. But Qwilleran and his newly found partner, Koko the brilliant Siamese cat, are in their element—sniffing out clues and confounding criminals intent on mayhem and murder.

This riveting beginning to the Cat Who series is the perfect cozy mystery for cat lovers to start sleuthing!

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Summers End

Juneau Black

A unique take on dark academia, featuring everyone's favorite vulpine sleuth, Vera Vixen.

It's late August in Shady Hollow, and intrepid reporter Vera Vixen agrees to chaperone the school’s annual field trip to Summers End, an ancient tomb built by an early woodland culture. Naturally, her good friend Lenore Lee comes along to help her.

But when the group enters the tomb one morning, they find a corpse that is distinctly more. . . modern than expected. Digging deeper, Vera and Lenore discover that the deceased was involved in the recent excavation at the site, and very unpopular with their colleagues—including Lenore’s sister, Ligeia. Now the fox and raven must delve into the dark world of academia and archaeology to clear Ligeia’s name. Some creature at Summers End thought they were clever enough to get away with the perfect murder. Can Vera and Lenore unearth the truth in time?

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Remarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt

AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A Read With Jenna Today Show Book Club Pick!

NAMED A BEST BOOK OF SUMMER by: Chicago Tribune * The View * Southern Living * USA Today

"Remarkably Bright Creatures [is] an ultimately feel-good but deceptively sensitive debut. . . . Memorable and tender." -- Washington Post

For fans of A Man Called Ove, a charming, witty and compulsively readable exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope that traces a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus

After Tova Sullivan's husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she's been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn't dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors--until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova's son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it's too late.

Shelby Van Pelt's debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

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Feline Fatale

Rita Mae Brown

Politicians fight like cats and dogs, but when things take a deadly turn at the Virginia House of Delegates, Mary Minor “Harry” Haristeen calls on her beloved pets to help her crack the case and stop the fur from flying in this latest mystery from Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author Sneaky Pie Brown.

Spring flowers may be about to bloom in Crozet, Virginia, but Harry is thinking about snow. Her dear friend Ned Tucker is in the House of Delegates, advocating for a bill to improve road clearing during bad weather, and Harry and Ned’s wife, Susan, have gone down to the statehouse to support him. Tensions are high between political parties, and no one can agree on anything for long enough to get something done.

The bill’s chief detractor is the glamorous Amanda Fields, a former newscaster turned delegate whose flair for the dramatic has earned her a formidable reputation—and made her more than a few enemies. Amanda’s claws-out approach to politics might have some of her colleagues wishing she was dead, but the statehouse is rocked when one of the young pages who assists the delegates dies under mysterious circumstances.

Could his death be related to the political infighting? Or is something even more sinister threatening the lives of Virginia’s finest representatives? With help from her feline sidekicks, Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, as well as Tee Tucker the corgi and Irish Greyhound Pirate, Harry is determined to find the answers and restore order once more to the Capitol.

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A Farewell to Arfs

Spencer Quinn

Chet the dog, "the most lovable narrator in all of crime fiction" (Boston Globe) and his human partner PI Bernie Little are on to a new case, and this time they're entangled in a web of crime unlike anything they've ever seen before.

Their elderly next door neighbor, Mr. Parsons, thought he was doing the right thing by loaning his ne'er do well son, Billy, some money to help get himself settled. But soon, Mr. Parsons discovers that his entire life savings is gone. A run-of-the-mill scam? Bernie isn’t so sure that the case is that simple, but it's Chet who senses what they're really up against.

Only Billy knows the truth, but he's disappeared. Can Chet and Bernie track him down before it's too late? Someone else is also in the hunt, an enemy with a mysterious, cutting-edge power who will test Chet and Bernie to their limit—or maybe beyond. Even poker, not the kind of game they're good at, plays a role.

Spencer Quinn's A Farewell to Arfs ups the ante in the action-packed and witty New York Times and USA Today bestselling series that Stephen King calls "without a doubt the most original mystery series currently available."

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Dog Day Afternoon

David Rosenfelt

Paterson, New Jersey’s favorite reluctant lawyer Andy Carpenter returns in Dog Day Afternoon, the next mystery in this fan favorite series from National Bestselling Author David Rosenfelt.

Retired lawyer Andy Carpenter has run the Tara Foundation—the dog rescue organization named after his beloved golden retriever—for years. It's always been his calling, even as Andy's pulled into representing clients in court. His investigator, Marcus Clark, has been at Andy's side for a long time. Even though they've known each other for years, Marcus keeps his personal life a mystery.

So it’s a shock when Marcus arrives at the Tara Foundation with two strangers in tow. Turns out Marcus takes disadvantaged young men under his wing, gets them jobs, a place to live, and a chance at a different life. And they want a dog. Andy’s specialty. One of the young men, Nick Williams, instantly falls in love with one of the dogs, Daisy.

When there’s a mass shooting at Nick’s work, leaving six dead, all signs point to Nick. Marcus, who's never asked Andy for anything, asks Andy for help. Despite Nick's troubled background, Andy trusts his friend and takes the case.

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Hollow Kingdom

Kira Jane Buxton

"The Secret Life of Pets meets The Walking Dead" in this big-hearted, boundlessly beautiful romp through the Apocalypse and the world that comes after, where a foul-mouthed crow is humanity's only chance to survive Seattle's zombie problem. (Karen Joy Fowler, PEN/Faulkner Award-winning author of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves)

S.T., a domesticated crow, is a bird of simple pleasures: hanging out with his owner Big Jim, trading insults with Seattle's wild crows (i.e. "those idiots"), and enjoying the finest food humankind has to offer: Cheetos ®.

But when Big Jim's eyeball falls out of his head, S.T. starts to think something's not quite right. His tried-and-true remedies -- from beak-delivered beer to the slobbering affection of Big Jim's loyal but dim-witted dog, Dennis -- fail to cure Big Jim's debilitating malady. S.T. is left with no choice but to abandon his old life and venture out into a wild and frightening new world with his trusty steed Dennis, where he suddenly discovers that the neighbors are devouring one other. Local wildlife is abuzz with rumors of Seattle's dangerous new predators.

Humanity's extinction has seemingly arrived, and the only one determined to save it is a cowardly crow whose only knowledge of the world comes from TV.
What could possibly go wrong?
 

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The Art of Racing in the Rain

Garth Stein

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver.

Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, ZoË, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with ZoË at his side. Having learned what it takes to be a compassionate and successful person, the wise canine can barely wait until his next lifetime, when he is sure he will return as a man.

A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life . . . as only a dog could tell it.

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Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies

Madelaine Francis Heleine

Give your underwater pets the best aquatic life ever!

Aquarium fish are one of the most popular pets in America, with close to 150 million fish owned in nearly 13 million households. They seem like easy pets to care for, but there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to keeping your freshwater friends healthy and happy!

Inside, you’ll find basic information to start your own freshwater aquarium, purchase and maintain healthy fish and plants, and find tips and tricks on how to introduce new fish and systems into your aquatic family.

  • Understand the best aquarium set-up practices
  • Build the luxury tanks of your dreams
  • Maintain a thriving aquatic environment
  • Discover many different ways to expand your hobby

Perfect for beginner hobbyists and longtime aquarium enthusiasts alike, Freshwater Aquariums For Dummies makes it easier than ever to set up and take care of a freshwater aquarium—and the fish within it.

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Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies

Liz Palika

Your fun guide to selecting, caring, and loving your turtle or tortoise!

Coexisting with a turtle or tortoise may not be a warm and fuzzy experience, but it definitely has its rewards. And with more than 250 species to choose from, you’re bound to find one that’s right for you. Looks-wise, they can range from very plain and unadorned to a brightly colored and embellished with every manner of crest, crown, spike, and dewlap. As for personality, you’d be amazed at how very different they can be, ranging from shy and withdrawn, to outgoing and friendly, to outright aggressive. And when it comes to longevity, well, let’s just say that when you commit to a turtle or tortoise, you’re in it for the long haul. For example, the standard American box turtle can live more than 125 years, a leopard tortoise has a life span of up to 100 years, and an aldabran tortoise can live to be more than 200 years old!

This fun guide will help you choose the perfect turtle or tortoise for your lifestyle and give it the care it needs to thrive. Turtle and tortoise expert Liz Palika provides cl ear, step-by-step instructions on how to:

  • Select the appropriate turtle or tortoise
  • Provide a suitable environment for your new pal
  • Care for a variety of chelonian (turtle and tortoise) species
  • Supply you pet with a satisfying and healthy diet
  • Create an indoor or outdoor home
  • Understand your turtle’s or tortoise’s special needs

Generously illustrated with line drawings and high-quality photographs, Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies covers all the bases. Topics covered include:

  • Deciding whether a turtle or tortoise is right for you
  • Choosing between a turtle and tortoise
  • Who’s Who of turtles and tortoises—a complete guide to dozens of species, where they’re from, what they’re like, and how they are as pets
  • Creating a safe and healthy environment for your pet
  • Recognizing and treating common health problems and finding a good veterinarian to help you care for your chelonian

Turtles & Tortoises For Dummies is your fun guide to selecting, caring for, and sharing your life with a chelonian.


P.S. If you think this book seems familiar, you’re probably right. The Dummies team updated the cover and design to give the book a fresh feel, but the content is the same as the previous release of Turtles and Tortoises For Dummies (9780764553134). The book you see here shouldn’t be considered a new or updated product. But if you’re in the mood to learn something new, check out some of our other books. We’re always writing about new topics!

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Saltwater Aquariums For Dummies

Gregory Skomal

Dive into the wonderful world of saltwater fish

Setting up and keeping a healthy, thriving saltwater aquarium—and the gorgeous creatures that live within it—takes a lot more know-how than you might realize. Fortunately, this friendly and informative guide is here to make having a slice of the salty life in your own home easier than ever!

This fully updated edition of Saltwater Aquariums For Dummies explains in plain English how to care for a variety of marine fish and invertebrates, upkeep a tank, feed your saltwater friends, and stay informed of the latest technology in luxury tanks!

  • Understand aquarium set up best practices
  • Maintain a thriving aquatic environment
  • Build the luxury saltwater tank of your dreams
  • Be inspired by a full-color insert

Whether you’re looking for basic information on how to set-up, start, and maintain a saltwater aquarium or already own one and want to whet your appetite with the latest tips, tricks, and design ideas, this book covers the gamut!

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The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

Elisabeth Tova Bailey

In a work that beautifully demonstrates the rewards of closely observing nature, Elisabeth Tova Bailey shares an inspiring and intimate story of her encounter with a Neohelix albolabris—a common woodland snail.

While an illness keeps her bedridden, Bailey watches a wild snail that has taken up residence on her nightstand. As a result, she discovers the solace and sense of wonder that this mysterious creature brings and comes to a greater understanding of her own place in the world.

Intrigued by the snail’s molluscan anatomy, cryptic defenses, clear decision making, hydraulic locomotion, and courtship activities, Bailey becomes an astute and amused observer, offering a candid and engaging look into the curious life of this underappreciated small animal.

The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating is a remarkable journey of survival and resilience, showing us how a small part of the natural world can illuminate our own human existence, while providing an appreciation of what it means to be fully alive.

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Ferrets For Dummies

Kim Schilling

Everything you need to know about your playful new pet

Thinking of getting a ferret? It’s not unusual—millions of people worldwide keep ferrets as pets, and they’ve been domesticated for around 2,500 years! While they’re quiet for a lot of the day (catching up on important beauty sleep), when they’re awake, they’re lively, affectionate, and curious—and require lots of quality interaction with their humans. And that’s why a happy ferret is a well-trained one, whose owner knows everything there is to know about its needs!

Ferrets For Dummies, 3rd Edition is here to make sure you become just that kind of owner, fully equipped to give your little friend the best possible home. It’s packed with practical information on feeding, housing, health, medical care, and much more. You’ll also find the latest on diet, dental hygiene, common ailments, and how to build an enjoyable and engaging environment for your smart, energetic new pet. There’s even a section on how to get to know your ferret properly (spotting those little mood swings) and how to introduce it to play well with friends and family.

  • Make sure a ferret’s the pet for you
  • Ferret-proof your home
  • Keep a clean house
  • Find the right vet

Whether you have a jill (female), a hob (male), or a full “business” of ferrets (several), Ferrets For Dummies helps you ferret out whatever you need to know—and ensure that your fuzzy new pal is a healthy, happy member of the household.

 

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When Harry Met Minnie

Martha Teichner

*An Instant New York Times Bestseller!*

A memoir of love and loss, of being in the right place at the right time, and of the mysterious ways a beloved pet can bring people together, from CBS Sunday Morning News correspondent and multi-Emmy-Award-winning Martha Teichner.

There are true fairy tales. Stories that exist because impossible-to-explain coincidences change everything. Except in real life, not all of them have conventional, happily-ever-after endings. When Harry Met Minnie is that kind of fairy tale, with the vibrant, romantic New York City backdrop of its namesake, the movie When Harry Met Sally, and the bittersweet wisdom of Tuesdays with Morrie.

There’s a special camaraderie among early-morning dog walkers. Gathering at dog runs in the park, or strolling through the farmer's market at Union Square before the bustling crowd appears, fellow pet owners become familiar–as do the personalities of their beloved animals. In this special space and time, a chance encounter with an old acquaintance changed Martha Teichner’s world. As fate would have it, her friend knew someone who was dying of cancer, from exposure to toxins after 9/11, and desperate to find a home for her dog, Harry. He was a Bull Terrier—the same breed as Martha’s dear Minnie. Would Martha consider giving Harry a safe, loving new home?

In short order, boy dog meets girl dog, the fairy tale part of this story. But there is so much more to this book. After Martha agrees to meet Harry and his owner Carol, what begins as a transaction involving a dog becomes a deep and meaningful friendship between two women with complicated lives and a love of Bull Terriers in common. Through the heartbreak and grief of Carol’s illness, the bond that develops changed Martha’s life, Carol’s life, Minnie’s life, Harry’s life. As it changed Carol’s death as well.

In this rich and touching narrative, Martha considers the ways our stories are shaped by the people we meet, and the profound love we can find by opening our hearts to unexpected encounters.

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Saving Simon

Jon Katz

In this heartfelt, thoughtful, and inspiring memoir, New York Times bestselling author Jon Katz tells the story of his beloved rescue donkey, Simon, and the wondrous ways that animals make us wiser and kinder people.

In the spring of 2011, Jon Katz received a phone call that would challenge every idea he ever had about mercy and compassion. An animal control officer had found a neglected donkey on a farm in upstate New York, and she hoped that Jon and his wife, Maria, would be willing to adopt him. Jon wasn't planning to add another animal to his home on Bedlam Farm, certainly not a very sick donkey. But the moment he saw the wrenching sight of Simon, he felt a powerful connection. Simon touched something very deep inside of him. Jon and Maria decided to take him in.

Simon's recovery was far from easy. Weak and malnourished, he needed near constant care, but Jon was determined to help him heal. As Simon's health improved, Jon would feed him by hand, read to him, take him on walks, even confide in him like an old and trusted friend. Then, miraculously, as if in reciprocation, Simon began to reveal to Jon the true meaning of compassion, the ways in which it can transform our lives and inspire us to take great risks.

This radically different perspective on kindness and empathy led Jon to a troubled border collie from Ireland in need of a home, a blind pony who had lived outside in a pasture for fifteen years, and a new farm for him and Maria. In the great tradition of heroes--from Don Quixote to Shrek--who faced the world in the company of their donkeys, Jon came to understand compassion and mercy in a new light, learning to open up "not just to Simon, not just to animals, but to the human experience. To love, to risk, to friendship."

With grace, warmth, and keen emotional insight, Saving Simon plumbs the depths of the bonds we form with our animals, and the rewards of "living a more compassionate, considered, and meaningful life."

Praise for Saving Simon

"Heartwarming . . . a touching tale."--USA Today

"Highly recommended . . . an enjoyable and thoughtful work."--Library Journal (starred review)

"[Saving Simon] handles the emotional highs and lows of living with animals with empathy and thoughtfulness, forcing readers to re-examine their own meanings of compassion and mercy."--Kirkus Reviews

"The message of this true story will linger with the reader long after the book has been placed on the shelf."--Bookreporter

"[An] uplifting and insightful memoir . . . Katz's fans and animal lovers of all kinds will no doubt be delighted by Simon's heartwarming story."--Publishers Weekly

Praise for Jon Katz

"With wisdom and grace, Katz unlocks the canine soul and the complicated wonders that lie within and offers powerful insights to anyone who has ever struggled with, and loved, a troubled animal."--John Grogan, author of Marley & Me

"Katz's world--of animals and humans and their combined generosity of spirit--is a place you're glad you've been."--The Boston Globe

"From Toto to Marley, our canine friends are a sure bet in the literary biz. But no one seems to speak their language like Jon Katz."--San Antonio Express-News

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The Animals Among Us

John Bradshaw

The bestselling author of Dog Sense and Cat Sense explains why living with animals has always been a fundamental aspect of being human

Pets have never been more popular. Over half of American households share their home with either a cat or a dog, and many contain both. This is a huge change from only a century ago, when the majority of domestic cats and dogs were working animals, keeping rodents at bay, guarding property, herding sheep. Nowadays, most are valued solely for the companionship they provide. As mankind becomes progressively more urban and detached from nature, we seem to be clinging to the animals that served us well in the past.

In The Animals Among Us, anthrozoologist John Bradshaw argues that pet-keeping is nothing less than an intrinsic part of human nature. An affinity for animals drove our evolution and now, without animals around us, we risk losing an essential part of ourselves.
 

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All Creatures Great and Small

James Herriot

The classic multimillion copy bestseller

Delve into the magical, unforgettable world of James Herriot, the world's most beloved veterinarian, and his menagerie of heartwarming, funny, and tragic animal patients.

For over forty years, generations of readers have thrilled to Herriot's marvelous tales, deep love of life, and extraordinary storytelling abilities. For decades, Herriot roamed the remote, beautiful Yorkshire Dales, treating every patient that came his way from smallest to largest, and observing animals and humans alike with his keen, loving eye.

In All Creatures Great and Small, we meet the young Herriot as he takes up his calling and discovers that the realities of veterinary practice in rural Yorkshire are very different from the sterile setting of veterinary school. Some visits are heart-wrenchingly difficult, such as one to an old man in the village whose very ill dog is his only friend and companion, some are lighthearted and fun, such as Herriot's periodic visits to the overfed and pampered Pekinese Tricki Woo who throws parties and has his own stationery, and yet others are inspirational and enlightening, such as Herriot's recollections of poor farmers who will scrape their meager earnings together to be able to get proper care for their working animals. From seeing to his patients in the depths of winter on the remotest homesteads to dealing with uncooperative owners and critically ill animals, Herriot discovers the wondrous variety and never-ending challenges of veterinary practice as his humor, compassion, and love of the animal world shine forth.

James Herriot's memoirs have sold 80 million copies worldwide, and continue to delight and entertain readers of all ages.

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Parrots For Dummies

Nikki Moustaki

Repeat after me: Parrots aren’t just for pirates!

While parrots have a historical reputation for being a pirate's best friend, in the modern-day U.S.—where birds are the nation’s third most popular household pet-thousands of landlubbers are in on the act! And that’s not surprising—parrots are as affectionate, friendly, and fun to be with as a dog or cat. They are also relatively low-maintenance, with no rude 5 a.m. awakenings with demands for food or punishing walks.

Renowned avian care and behavior consultant Nikki Moustaki is your friendly guide to the colorful world of this intelligent and chatty pet. In this book, you'll be introduced to the vibrant diversity of the parrot world, which covers a wide variety of Psittacidae family members, including macaws, cockatiels, and parakeets. You'll also learn the best ways to choose, care for, and love your resplendently feathered companion.

  • Pick your perfect parrot
  • Devour the latest on nutrition
  • Tame and train
  • Make the perfect home

Whether you're just setting out in the parrot world or are a seasoned voyager on the parrot-y seas, this 2nd edition of Parrots For Dummies has something for you and your pet—and will repay the hard-won pirate gold you spent on it a thousand times over!

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Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish

David Alderton

The most complete owner's manual for keeping all types of freshwater and saltwater fish in indoor tropical and coldwater aquariums and outdoor ponds.

Choose the right fish for any water temperature--tropical or coldwater--and for all types of environments, including indoor aquariums or outdoor ponds. Know the difference between keeping saltwater fish and freshwater fish, including differences in aquarium setups, and feeding and caring for your pet fish. Learn to tell whether your fish are healthy and find out everything you need to breed them successfully. The Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish contains a huge photographic color reference directory of more than 800 of the most popular fish, not only showing you what they look like, but also giving you key information you need, such as how big they will grow, whether they integrate with different fish, what food they eat, and what water type and temperature they prefer.

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Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits, 5th Edition

Bob Bennett

The fifth edition of this best-selling handbook features the same detailed approach that has made it the trusted source for raising healthy, productive rabbits — plus a total redesign with color photos and graphics. Whether you’re interested in raising rabbits for show, meat, fur, or as pets, this comprehensive guide offers expert advice on breed selection, housing, feeding, humane handling, and more. In addition, author Bob Bennett includes the most up-to-date information on preventive health care, treating diseases, marketing, and showing.

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The Horse Encyclopedia

Elwyn Hartley Edwards

A stunning celebration of the equine world. 
This definitive visual guide to horses and ponies includes a list of over 150 different breeds and types, including all those recognized by national horse societies. This stunning volume is the perfect reference guide for horse lovers of all ages!

Inside the pages of this horse encyclopedia, you’ll find:

   • A comprehensive horse compendium.
   • Expert care advice on keeping, feeding, grooming and caring for horses.
   • Panels on famous breeds, or individual horses, owners, riders or breeders.

Everything about horses!

From tiny ponies to heavy draft horses and speedy thoroughbreds, horses are among the most influential animals in human history. The Horse Encyclopedia explores the evolution and anatomy of the horse and its place in history, art and culture.  

Gorgeous photography of horse breeds worldwide is accompanied by knowledgeable text describing the origins, history and characteristics of a definitive list of horses and ponies. This animal encyclopedia also includes expert advice on horse care, including feeding and grooming and horse health.

Love animals? Try our other animal encyclopedias!

The Horse Encyclopedia explores all you need to know about horses and ponies in one dazzling volume — a must-have for any equine enthusiast! Other Definitive Visual Guide series titles include the Dog Encyclopedia and Cat Encyclopedia, stunning celebrations of your favorite pets!

 

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Why Peacocks?

Sean Flynn

An acclaimed journalist seeks to understand the mysterious allure of peacocks—and in the process discovers unexpected and valuable life lessons.

2022 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence Longlist Selection

When Sean Flynn’s neighbor in North Carolina texted “Any chance you guys want a peacock? No kidding!” he stared bewilderedly at his phone. He had never considered whether he wanted a peacock. But as an award-winning magazine writer, this kind of mystery intrigued him. So he, his wife, and their two young sons became the owners of not one but three charming yet fickle birds: Carl, Ethel, and Mr. Pickle.

In Why Peacocks?, Flynn chronicles his hilarious and heartwarming first year as a peacock owner, from struggling to build a pen to assisting the local bird doctor in surgery to triumphantly watching a peahen lay her first egg. He also examines the history of peacocks, from their appearance in the Garden of Eden to their befuddling Charles Darwin to their bewitching the likes of Flannery O’Connor and Martha Stewart. And fueled by a reporter’s curiosity, he travels across the globe to learn more about the birds firsthand, with stops including a Scottish castle where peacocks have resided for centuries, a southern California community tormented by a serial killer of peacocks, and a Kansas City airport hotel hosting an annual gathering of true peafowl aficionados.

At turns comically absurd and deeply poignant, Why Peacocks? blends lively, insightful memoir and illuminating science journalism to answer the title’s question. More than that, it offers surprising lessons about love, grief, fatherhood, and family.

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The Backyard Chicken Keeper's Bible

Jessica Ford

The Backyard Chicken Keeper's Bible is an exhaustively researched, clearly written, and profusely full-color illustrated book and the essential volume on backyard chicken keeping.

Chickens are many things: a source of meat and eggs, amusing images in pop culture, lovable pets, and a source of comfort at the end of a hard day. Whether you're considering joining the growing flock of backyard chicken keepers or simply inspired by leafing through images of gorgeous hens and roosters, this book is a must. A majority of the 150 most-populated US cities allow backyard chickens, and during the pandemic, the backyard chicken trend surged. Online searches for chick supplies were off the charts, with local hatcheries recording a 500 percent increase in demand, as people look to reduce environmental impact, improve food traceability, connect with nature, or simply relish the pure joy of chicken company.

Environmental and homestead writers Jessica Ford, Rachel Federman, and Sonya Patel Ellis pack this book with everything you need to fully embrace a new chicken-keeping lifestyle. A sumptuous aesthetic is paired with practical tips on identifying backyard breeds and supporting good chicken health, ranging from basic brooding to common ailments. Learn what the best backyard breed is for you and the equipment needed to start your own home flock. Discover the soft cuddliness of a Bantam Silkie, the superb egg-sitting skills of a Plymouth Rock, the best method for constructing a chicken run, and how to keep your chickens happy and thriving--all in this beautiful, illustrated gift book.

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How to Speak Chicken

Melissa Caughey

Best-selling author Melissa Caughey knows that backyard chickens are like any favorite pet — fun to spend time with and fascinating to observe. Her hours among the flock have resulted in this quirky, irresistible guide packed with firsthand insights into how chickens communicate and interact, use their senses to understand the world around them, and establish pecking order and roles within the flock. Combining her up-close observations with scientific findings and interviews with other chicken enthusiasts, Caughey answers unexpected questions such as Do chickens have names for each other? How do their eyes work? and How do chickens learn?

Foreword INDIES Silver Award Winner

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The Cat's Meow

Jonathan B. Losos

The past, present, and future of the world's most popular and beloved pet, from a leading evolutionary biologist and great cat lover.

"Engaging and wide-ranging ... The Cat's Meow is a readable and informed exploration of the wildcat that lurks within Fluffy." —The Washington Post


The domestic cat—your cat—has, from its evolutionary origins in Africa, been transformed in comparatively little time into one of the most successful and diverse species on the planet. Jonathan Losos, writing as both a scientist and a cat lover, explores how researchers today are unraveling the secrets of the cat, past and present, using all the tools of modern technology, from GPS tracking (you’d be amazed where those backyard cats roam) and genomics (what is your so-called Siamese cat . . . really?) to forensic archaeology. In addition to solving the mysteries of your cat's past, it gives us a cat's-eye view of today's habitats, including meeting wild cousins around the world whose habits your sweet house cat sometimes eerily parallels.

Do lions and tigers meow? If not, why not? Why does my cat leave a dead mouse at my feet (or on my pillow)? Is a pet ocelot a bad idea? When and why did the cat make its real leap off the African plain? What’s with all those cats in Egyptian hieroglyphics? In a genial voice, casually deciphering complex science and history with many examples from his own research and multi-cat household, Losos explores how selection, both natural and artificial, over the last several millennia has shaped the contemporary cat, with new breeds vastly different in anatomy and behavior from their ancestral stock. Yet the cat, ever a predator, still seems only one paw out of the wild, and readily reverts to its feral ways as it occupies new lands around the world.

Humans are transforming cats, and they in turn are transforming the world around them. This charming and intelligent book suggests what the future may hold for both Felis catus and Homo sapiens.

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How to Raise the Perfect Dog

Adam Spivey

The ultimate no-bullsh*t guide to raising and training your puppy in the first year, with straight-talking advice from the trainer behind social media sensation Southend Dog Training

The first twelve months or so of a dog’s life are the hardest work, but Southend Dog Training founder Adam Spivey can help. In this handy guide to your puppy’s first year, he teaches you everything you need to know to understand your dog and help you both thrive. He shares essential guidance on:

• The top five dog breeds for a first-time owner and what to know about temperament 
• What to buy (and not buy) to prepare your home for a puppy
• Crate training, puppy potty training, and bedtime routines
• Basic training and leash walking
• Socialization, puppy separation anxiety, and more!
 
Adam says:

My simple, straight-talking approach takes all the nonsense out of dog training and puts your dog at the center of everything you do. You’ll hear me say again and again that I like to train the dog that’s in front of me, not follow a set of rules or guidelines that might not even apply to your puppy, and that’s what you’ll find here. Because for me, the dog always comes first.

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The Hidden Language of Cats

Sarah Brown, PhD

Descended from shy, solitary North African wild cats, domestic cats set up homes with devoted owners all over the world by learning how to talk to us. This book translates—in case you missed anything.

A renowned cat behavior scientist of over thirty years, Dr. Sarah Brown has been at the forefront of research in the field, discovering how cats use tail signals to interact with each other and their owners. Now, she reveals the previously unexplored secrets of cat communication in a book that is both scientifically grounded and utterly delightful.

Each chapter dives into a different form of communication, including vocalizations, tail signals, scents, rubbing, and ear movements. The iconic meow, for example, is rarely used between adult cats—cleverly mimicking the cries of a human infant, the meow is a feline invention for conversing with people. Through observing the behavior of two cat colonies in rural England, readers will also have the opportunity to glimpse into the lives of some of the cats behind Dr. Brown's science.

Can we understand what cats’ meows and other signals mean? How do cats actually perceive us? And how can we use this information to inform how we talk back to our feline friends? Referencing historical records, exploring modern scientific studies of cat-human communication, and including simple, elegant line drawings, The Hidden Language of Cats is perfect for any cat lover who wants to learn more about their companion.

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Good Grief

E. B. Bartels

An unexpected, poignant, and personal account of loving and losing pets, exploring the singular bonds we have with our companion animals, and how to grieve them once they've passed.

E.B. Bartels has had a lot of pets--dogs, birds, fish, tortoises. As varied a bunch as they are, they've taught her one universal truth: to own a pet is to love a pet, and to own a pet is also--with rare exception--to lose that pet in time.

But while we have codified traditions to mark the passing of our fellow humans, most cultures don't have the same for pets. Bartels takes us from Massachusetts to Japan, from ancient Egypt to the modern era, in search of the good pet death. We meet veterinarians, archaeologists, ministers, and more, offering an idiosyncratic, inspiring array of rituals--from the traditional (scattering ashes, commissioning a portrait), to the grand (funereal processions, mausoleums), to the unexpected (taxidermy, cloning). The central lesson: there is no best practice when it comes to mourning your pet, except to care for them in death as you did in life, and find the space to participate in their end as fully as you can.

Punctuated by wry, bighearted accounts of Bartels's own pets and their deaths, Good Grief is a cathartic companion through loving and losing our animal family.

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The Dog Encyclopedia

DK

This complete catalog of all things canine is essential reading for dog lovers everywhere. 

From Beethoven to Toto, dogs have a special relationship with humans and are forever known as man’s best friend.

 The enduring loyalty and companionship of our four-legged friends is celebrated throughout The Dog Encyclopedia

Starting with their history, evolution, and anatomy, this beautiful book puts on a show of dogs in art and advertising, sport and service, and religion and culture. Famous dogs in fiction line up alongside heroic helpers. More than 400 dog breeds are introduced, from primitive dogs and working dogs to companion dogs and scent hounds. Each and every breed includes stunning photographs and fact-packed profiles detailing individual character, compatible owner traits, and breed-specific advice.

If you’re bringing home a new pet, this guide comes crammed with top tips for a balanced diet, exercise, grooming, and training, as well as a health section on continuing care, identifying illness, and veterinary visits.

This perfect pooch package is an indispensable owner's guide and an invaluable reference for budding dog whisperers.

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The Cat Encyclopedia

DK Publishing, Inc

Are you a feline fanatic? Could you tell the difference between a Housecat and an Ojos Azules? Do you want to know how to keep your kitty happy and healthy?

The Cat Encyclopedia is a cat compendium with all the facts about cats and kittens. It's packed with beautifully photographed profiles of different breeds, from the Maine Coon to the Khao Manee, and includes information on caring for your own cat. This book explores the cat's place in cultures and includes famous cats in art and literature.

In this encyclopedia, you will find:

-A breed catalog outlining all the cat breeds such as Shorthairs, Exotic Shorthair, Khao Manee, Korat, Chinese Li Hua, Asian (Burmilla, Smoke, Self, Tortie, Tabby) and more.

-How to care for your cat, including how to Prepare for arrival, essential equipment, vet check-ups, food and feeding, Grooming and hygiene, and training your cat.

-Facts, images, labeled diagrams, and more about cats!

This book also offers information on the science and history of house cats. Find out how cats were domesticated and developed into separate breeds, and see their prominence in art, literature, and superstition. A chapter on feline biology focuses on the anatomy of cats - including the nervous system, digestion, and muscles - and also features detailed descriptions of cat senses and coat patterns.

With help on cat care - from preparing for your cat's arrival and essential equipment to healthcare and training - The Cat Encyclopedia is the perfect guide for cat lovers.

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Funny Farm

Laurie Zaleski

An inspiring and moving memoir of the author's turbulent life with 600 rescue animals.

Laurie Zaleski never aspired to run an animal rescue; that was her mother Annie’s dream. But from girlhood, Laurie was determined to make the dream come true. Thirty years later as a successful businesswoman, she did it, buying a 15-acre farm deep in the Pinelands of South Jersey. She was planning to relocate Annie and her caravan of ragtag rescues—horses and goats, dogs and cats, chickens and pigs—when Annie died, just two weeks before moving day. In her heartbreak, Laurie resolved to make her mother's dream her own. In 2001, she established the Funny Farm Animal Rescue outside Mays Landing, New Jersey. Today, she carries on Annie’s mission to save abused and neglected animals.

Funny Farm is Laurie’s story: of promises kept, dreams fulfilled, and animals lost and found. It’s the story of Annie McNulty, who fled a nightmarish marriage with few skills, no money and no resources, dragging three kids behind her, and accumulating hundreds of cast-off animals on the way. And lastly, it's the story of the brave, incredible, and adorable animals that were rescued. Although there are some sad parts (as life always is), there are lots of laughs.

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The Forever Dog

Rodney Habib

#1 New York Times Bestseller

In this pathbreaking guide, two of the world's most popular and trusted pet care advocates reveal new science to teach us how to delay aging and provide a long, happy, healthy life for our canine companions.

Like their human counterparts, dogs have been getting sicker and dying prematurely over the past few decades. Why? Scientists are beginning to understand that the chronic diseases afflicting humans--cancer, obesity, diabetes, organ degeneration, and autoimmune disorders--also beset canines. As a result, our beloved companions are vexed with preventable health problems throughout much of their lives and suffer shorter life spans. Because our pets can't make health and lifestyle decisions for themselves, it's up to pet parents to make smart, science-backed choices for lasting vitality and health.

 

 

The Forever Dog gives us the practical, proven tools to protect our loyal four-legged companions. Rodney Habib and Karen Becker, DVM, globetrotted (pre-pandemic) to galvanize the best wisdom from top geneticists, microbiologists, and longevity researchers; they also interviewed people whose dogs have lived into their 20s and even 30s. The result is this unprecedented and comprehensive guide, filled with surprising information, invaluable advice, and inspiring stories about dogs and the people who love them.

The Forever Dog prescriptive plan focuses on diet and nutrition, movement, environmental exposures, and stress reduction, and can be tailored to the genetic predisposition of particular breeds or mixes. The authors discuss various types of food--including what the commercial manufacturers don't want us to know--and offer recipes, easy solutions, and tips for making sure our dogs obtain the nutrients they need. Habib and Dr. Becker also explore how external factors we often don't think about can greatly affect a dog's overall health and wellbeing, from everyday insults to the body and its physiology, to the role our own lifestyles and our vets' choices play. Indeed, the health equation works both ways and can travel "up the leash."

Medical breakthroughs have expanded our choices for canine health--if you know what they are. This definitive dog-care guide empowers us with the knowledge we need to make wise choices, and to keep our dogs healthy and happy for years to come.

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George: A Magpie Memoir

Frieda Hughes

“Poignant and funny…a passionate book about unconditional love and commitment.” —The Washington Post * “Captivating.” —Associated Press * “Rich with imagery…It’s impossible not to be smitten.” —Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

From poet and painter Frieda Hughes, an intimate, charming, and humorous memoir recounting her experience rescuing and raising an abandoned baby magpie in the Welsh countryside.

When Frieda Hughes moved to a ramshackle estate in the wilds of Wales, she was expecting to take on a few projects: planting a garden, painting, writing her poetry column for The Times (London), and possibly even breathing new life into her ailing marriage. But instead, she found herself rescuing a baby magpie, the sole survivor of a nest destroyed in a storm—and embarking on an obsession that would change the course of her life.

As the magpie, George, grows from a shrieking scrap of feathers and bones into an intelligent, unruly companion, Frieda finds herself captivated—and apprehensive of what will happen when the time comes to finally set him free.

With irresistible humor and heart, Frieda invites us along on her unlikely journey toward joy and connection in the wake of sadness and loss; a journey that began with saving a tiny wild creature and ended with her being saved in return.

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Arthur

Mikael Lindnord

The epic true story of an extreme athlete, a stray dog, and how they found each other--now a major motion picture from Lionsgate starring Mark Walhberg and Simu Liu.

"A miraculous tale."--Washington Post

"Like all great tales, this one had an intriguing start: a small good deed with enormous consequences for the dog and his rescuers, the basis for a heroic and heartwarming story."--Forbes

When you're racing 435 miles through the jungles and mountains of South America, the last thing you need is a stray dog tagging along. But that's exactly what happened to Mikael Lindnord, captain of a Swedish adventure racing team, when he threw a scruffy but dignified mongrel a meatball one afternoon.

When the team left the next day, the dog followed. Try as they might, they couldn't lose him--and soon Mikael realized that he didn't want to. Crossing rivers, battling illness and injury, and struggling through some of the toughest terrain on the planet, the team and the dog walked, kayaked, cycled, and climbed together toward the finish line, where Mikael decided he would save the dog, now named Arthur, and bring him back to his family in Sweden, whatever it took. Illustrated with candid photographs, Arthur provides a testament to the amazing bond between dogs and people.

 

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Running with Sherman

Christopher McDougall

From the bestselling author of Born to Run, a heartwarming story about training a rescue donkey to run one of the most challenging races in America, and, in the process, discovering the life-changing power of the human-animal connection.

"A delight, full of heart and hijinks and humor." —John Grogan, author of Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog


When Christopher McDougall decided to adopt a donkey in dire straits, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. But with the help of his neighbors, Chris came up with a crazy idea. Burro racing, a unique type of competition in which humans and donkeys run side by side over mountains and through streams, would be exactly the challenge Sherman and Chris needed. In the course of Sherman’s training, Chris would enlist Amish running clubs, high-spirited goats, the service animal community, and two Sarah Palin–loving long-distance female truckers. Sherman’s heartwarming story of overcoming all odds to run one of the most unbelievable races in America shows the healing power of movement and the strength of the human-animal connection.

Look for Christopher McDougall's new book, Born to Run 2, coming in December!

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Puppy Brain

Kerry Nichols

* NATIONAL BESTSELLER*

How do you raise a happy, healthy, and emotionally resilient dog? Full of actionable guidance, Puppy Brain will show you how to create a harmonious, fulfilling relationship with your pet, from Kerry Nichols, founder of Nicholberry Goldens.

Do you want to learn how to help your dog feel safe? Do you dream of owning a dog who enjoys meeting new people and exploring new places? Kerry Nichols, founder of Nicholberry Goldens, brings readers into the whelping box and onto the frontlines of a puppy’s developmental journey with her trademark clarity and wit.

With guidance about everything from crate training to spaying and neutering, Puppy Brain distills the latest insights and breakthroughs from canine research into practical, actionable, evidence-based guidance.

Through years of research into brain development and the use of intentional rearing protocols that focus on honoring a puppy’s choices and needs, Kerry has developed an approach that results in a harmonious, fulfilling relationship with our dogs rather than one steeped in rote obedience. Puppy Brain will reshape the way you think about your dog and show you how to meet your dog’s most basic needs.

With irresistible photos, clear guidance, and engaging humor, Puppy Brain reveals the best training practices based on how your dog’s mind works. As her hundreds of thousands of followers can attest, Kerry’s guidance will help you raise dogs who are confident, loving, and happy. The perfect gift for dog lovers and psychology enthusiasts alike, Puppy Brain is the definitive resource for anyone looking to raise their puppy with respect and love.

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What Cats Want

Dr. Yuki Hattori

From the top feline doctor in Japan comes a fun, practical, adorably illustrated “cat-to-human” translation guide to decoding your cat's feelings.

What makes cats climb into tiny spaces? Why do they sleep that much? And, most of all, how can we give them a good life?

Dr. Yuki Hattori is Japan's leading cat doctor, and to him cats are the most beautiful animals in the world. His advice comes with little illustrations showing exactly what to look for as a cat owner - including charts showing how to interpret their different meows, the direction of their whiskers and the way their tail is pointing!

Cats may seem low-maintenance but thoughtfulness about where you put their water, how warm or cool they like to be, what name to choose and how to groom them properly will make a life-changing difference. With understanding, affection and respect, your cat will be more healthy and contented - and you'll feel happier too.

An invaluable new guide filled with creative tips and darling illustrations, What Cats Want provides a much-desired glimpse into the minds of our most mysterious pets.

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Dog Smart

Jennifer S. Holland

This cutting-edge science narrative, chock-full of heartwarming case studies, is one woman's quest to learn the true meaning of dog intelligence.

This delightful narrative takes readers on a powerful search to unlock the secrets of dog cognition, based on evidence from trainers, owners, behaviorists, and the animals themselves. With in-depth reporting and more than a few personal adventures, bestselling author Jennifer S. Holland digs into what intelligence really means.

Readers will meet a pack of genius dogs embodying all types of smarts. Holland heads into the field with a cadaver dog and his trainer to learn about "nose intelligence." To unpack emotional intelligence, she examines how dogs help people dealing with trauma. To investigate task learning ability, she seeks agility trainers, TV-dog trainers, and a man whose dog has learned to hang glide--one step at a time. She interviews police-dog trainers (volunteering to be attacked by a bite dog in the name of science), service-dog trainers, and trainers who rehabilitate "bad" dogs. And she gets to know breeds that are considered especially intelligent--border collies, cattle dogs, and German shepherds--to discover whether they are truly "smarter" or just more willing to do as they're told.

In between field experiences, Holland spends time with the dogs she knows best while pondering the lessons the animals teach us about ourselves. And she poses entrancing philosophical questions: How do we define intelligence in another being? Where do "instinct" and "intelligence" meet and diverge? Can we be more "dog smart" in our own lives?

Both surprising and heartwarming, this book is one woman's quest to understand what it means to be smart--and how dogs got that way.

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Alfie and Me

Carl Safina

When ecologist Carl Safina and his wife, Patricia, took in a near-death baby owl, they expected that, like other wild orphans they'd rescued, she'd be a temporary presence. But Alfie's feathers were not growing correctly, requiring prolonged care. As Alfie grew and gained strength, she became a part of the family, joining a menagerie of dogs and chickens and making a home for herself in the backyard. Carl and Patricia began to realize that the healing was mutual; Alfie had been braided into their world, and was now pulling them into hers.

Alfie & Me is the story of the remarkable impact this little owl would have on their lives. The continuing bond of trust following her freedom--and her raising of her own wild brood--coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a year in which Carl and Patricia were forced to spend time at home without the normal obligations of work and travel. Witnessing all the fine details of their feathered friend's life offered Carl and Patricia a view of existence from Alfie's perspective.

One can travel the world and go nowhere; one can be stuck keeping the faith at home and discover a new world. Safina's relationship with an owl made him want to better understand how people have viewed humanity's relationship with nature across cultures and throughout history. Interwoven with Safina's keen observations, insight, and reflections, Alfie & Me is a work of profound beauties and magical timing harbored within one upended year.

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