Satchel O’Rye, devoted son of an impoverished couple in a dying rural town, must weigh in balance the life of his most cherished dog and the freedom of a mysterious rare animal.
Related: Australia, Oceania, Realistic Fiction, Young Adult (ages 14-18)
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I enjoyed this book; the writing is very good and Satchel is a great character. He really struggles with wanting to help his mother and being conflicted about his father, who is affected by mental disease but refuses to seek help. Does the rare animal really exist? Perhaps, but Satchel’s decision about whether to announce it to the world rings true.