Rose Howard has OCD, Asperger's syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms (even her name is a homonym). She gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose's rules of homonyms, is very special. Rain was a lost dog Rose's father brought home. Rose and Rain are practically inseparable. And they are often home alone, as Rose's father spends most evenings at a bar, and doesn't have much patience for his special-needs daughter.
Just as a storm hits town, Rain goes missing. Rose's father shouldn't have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search. Rose will find Rain, but so will Rain's original owners.
Hearts will break and spirits will soar for this powerful story, brilliantly told from Rose's point of view.
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“[An] affecting, elegantlyburnished middle-grade book about a girl with autism…Thedeftness with which Martin renders Rose’s life is admirable…And yet the book isn’tactually about autism, or even any coming-of-age theme. It’s about love andfealty, fear, hope, the release from burdens, and what kids—all kids—need butoften don’t get…don’t take this book anywhere you wouldn’t want to have asudden burst of tears. Or, for that matter, a wash of warm recognition that weall—the poor and neurologically challenged, too—can find a way to the sunlight.”
— New York Times Book Review
“Rose Howard is a high-functioning autistic fifth-grader, and her preoccupation with homophones, her insistence on rules being followed to the letter of the law, and her difficulties reading social cues and understanding emotions are giving her trouble at school and frustrating her impatient and often angry single father…Newbery Honor author Martin is extremely successful in capturing Rose’s perspective and personality…Filled with integrity and determination, Rose overcomes significant obstacles in order to do what is right.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Though Rose’s story is often heartbreaking, her matter-of-face narration provides moments of humor. Readers will empathize with Rose, who finds strength and empowerment through her unique way of looking at the world.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)“A story about honorable living in the autistic-narrator genre that sets the bar high…Through touching and funny scenes at school…readers come to understand how Rose’s close relationship to Rain anchors her…Martin has penned a riveting, seamless narrative in which each word sings and each scene counts. There is no fluff here, just sophisticated, emotionally honest storytelling.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“Rose is a character we root for every step of the way. She is resilient, honest, and, in her own odd way, very perceptive.”
— Horn Book (starred review)“Simplicity, clarity, and emotional resonance are hallmarks of Rose’s first-person narrative, which offers an unflinching view of her world from her perspective…A strong story told in a nuanced, highly accessible way.”
— Booklist (starred review)“There’s an old-fashioned quality to the story, especially the family elements, that makes the book sturdily accessible.”
— Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books“Rose narrates this story, thus allowing the reader to live in her black and white world, to struggle with her when the impact of the storm upsets all her routines and robs her of her anchor, and to smile when she makes some small gains in relating to some classmates…Readers will root for this resilient child, who is stronger and more perceptive than she realizes.”
— Children’s Literature“Narrator Laura Hamilton gives listeners insight into the bond between a girl with autism and her dog…Hamilton’s narration adds the right amount of emotion to each scene in this powerful story of love and loss. To ensure that listeners can appreciate Rose’s love of homonyms, the audiobook is specially formatted: The narrator spells out each word pair.”
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Ann M. Martin is the bestselling author of the series the Baby-sitters Club, as well as the Main Street series and others. Her other acclaimed novels include A Corner of the Universe, a Newbery Honor Book.
Laura Hamilton is an award-winning narrator of many outstanding books for children. She was named one of AudioFile’s Best Voices of 2010 in Children’s and Family Listening. When not recording the books she loves, she also records radio and televion spots. She lives with her family in Chicago.