This is a deeply moving book. one of the very first I remember portraying trauma in a way that was both realistic and accessible to young readers. One of my favorite books read for sixth grade language arts (it helped this was one of the few that wasn't about going off into the wilderness and where the relationships were between humans rather than dogs), I remember sobbing while I read. This is one that has stayed with me, and I believe has influenced my work as a therapist.