Central Kansas Library System

In 1972, Flora Smallwood, nine, copes with her parents' separation with the help of her friends, Yury and Nessie, a new pet, and the familiar routines of life in Rosetown, Indiana.

The physicality of the boy's connection with his dog is the story in this book, part of the Ready-to-Read Puppy Mudge series for brand new readers. Henry wants to read, but Mudge wants to play. Mudge slobbers on Henry's book, tries to snuggle up, pulls off Henry's sock, and more, until, finally, Henry joins Mudge, and they play joyfully together. Rylant's simply language and Stevenson's active, unaffected pictures show and tell Henry's delight in...

Annie and Henry join the summer reading club at the library, and vow to be "Book Bugs" for life.