Although only a slim 103 pages, this tender tale of loss and love contains as much heartfelt emotion as one twice as long. Two years after his father's death from lung cancer, Horatio, 12, feels pretty well settled into his new life in the country with his mother and ailing paternal grandfather, O. P. But when Horatio and his best friend Erik find O. P.'s beloved dog dead, the boy finds himself grieving for his father afresh. Adding to his turmoil is the fact that his dentist mother is dating one of her patients, ``Pink Gums'' Paul. Horatio feels even more bereft when Erik gets sick, but finds his sister Angie to be every bit as good company--and a big help in convincing O. P. to get another dog. Polikoff writes in spare yet emotionally charged prose; particularly affecting is the passage in which Horatio, his mother and O. P. conduct an impromptu memorial service on the anniversary of his father's passing. Effervescing with humor, sprinkled with apt Shakespearian quotations and sweetened with a hint of first romance, this little book packs quite a wallop. Ages 9-12. (June)

Gr 4-7-- Horatio Tuckerman's life has changed dramatically. His father has died of cancer, he and his mother have moved to Wisconsin to be closer to other family members, and his paternal grandfather and his dog have moved in with them. Polikoff has carefully crafted a story that focuses on changes, personal growth, and relationships that build bridges among people of all ages and stages. To her credit, there is no quick fix or happily-ever-after ending here. Instead, readers are given a good read, occasional tears, and hope for new challenges and relationships for a likable boy and his family. --Janie Schomberg, Leal Elementary School, Urbana, IL

"Effervescing with humor, sprinkled with apt Shakespearean quotations and sweetened with a hint of first romance, this little book packs quite a wallop." —Publishers Weekly