(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jill Weber. After a happy beginning at a farm with the son of migrant farm workers, two puppies search for their purpose. The journey takes them to a puppy mill from which they escape, to a pet rescue, and eventually to an animal trainer who fosters their special talents. Some coincidences and unrealistic dog behavior mar this otherwise engaging middle-grade novel.

Reviewer: Grace Worcester Greene

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jill Weber. This story follows the adventures of a stray New York City cat named Pretty Boy, who goes from stubbornly self-sufficient to comfortably nestled within a circle of quirky companions. Weber's detailed, charming color illustrations bringing the culture of Greenwich Village vividly to life only somewhat compensate for Salamon's trite prose; still, the book may hold some appeal as an easy family read.

Reviewer: Katrina Hedeen