After losing her beloved dog, Maybe, Army isn’t sure how to go on in this ‘new normal’. What makes everything worse is that she knows the accident could have been avoided and that she only has herself to blame. When new neighbors move in, Army keeps finding herself in the right place at the right time when the neighbor’s oldest child, Madison (who is non-verbal and Autistic) keeps wandering off. Seeing how frazzled Madison’s mother is raising infant twins, raising Madison, and settling into a new place, Army makes it her mission to help the family. 

 

I thought this was a touching story and I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed it given I usually avoid any loss of pets in books whenever I can help it. The overall growth was worth the sadness in the beginning. I especially liked watching Army’s friendship with Elsie grow. 

 

As someone with two non-verbal Autistic family members, I thought Madison was portrayed well. What I didn’t like so much was the relationship between Irene and Army. There was a lot of emotional intensity there. Given the age group this book is written for, it blurs the lines of what a healthy adult/child acquaintanceship should look like, especially where Irene is more or less a stranger. Regardless, this book tells a touching story about loss, grief, friendship, and helping others.