Dickon wasn't happy in his old home or his old school. He hopes that in his new neighborhood he will meet children who never knew his old, hyper self, who will like him for who he is now. And he hopes for a dog of his own. Dickon's mother calls him Birdie. She feeds him milk from a teddy bear mug. She worries if he's out of her sight for a moment and she knows how filthy and vicious dogs can be. Dickon is delighted to discover that the Humane Society is right on the other side of the fence behind the new house, but only by disobeying his mother will he ever get close to a real dog.
"In no time the reader is launched into a wonderful story of the hero-s yearning for a dog."
– St. Catharine's Standard
"Fast-paced action and lively dialogue transport readers through conflict, challenge, suspense, and satisfactory resolution."
– Quill & Quire
"This is an enjoyable book."
– Resource Links
"A satisfying and heartwarming story."
– School Library Journal
"Little certainly knows what interests kids and how to tell a satisfying story."
– Booklist
"The emphasis that this book puts on relationships and their development makes it an outstanding read."
– CM Magazine
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Henry Bergh Award | 2002 | Nominated
Canadian Toy Testing Council (CTTC) Great Books | 2002 | Commended
Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) Our Choice | 2003 | Commended
Canadian Library Association (CLA) Young Adult Book Award | 2003 | Short-listed
Young Readers' Choice Book Awards of British Columbia (YRCABC) Red Cedar Book Awards | 2005 | Nominated
Resource Links, The Year's Best Books | 2002 | Commended
