Brought to you by OBS reviewer Dawn

Synopsis:

As eleven-year-old Trisha Larson struggles with adjusting to a new school and accepting her mother’s latest boyfriend, she relies on her small dog named Scruffy for support and companionship. But one blustery winter night, Scruffy fails to return. Alone in the frigid darkness, she searches for her missing pet. Then the clues begin to mount. Can Trisha solve the mystery of Scruffy’s disappearance and bring him back home?

Review:

Trisha’s beloved pet Scruffy has disappeared. She is determined to find him. She decides to become a detective and get to the bottom of the mystery.

Normally, when a pet is lost, there’s not much you can do. Trisha follows every lead, determined to find the truth. She searches and questions people. Scruffy is not the first pet to have disappeared in recent weeks.

I won’t say how it turns out. Sometimes sad times lead to new beginnings. The loss of a pet is hard to take. I’ve lost a few of my pets along the way. It’s never easy but worth it because of the love you give and receive.

I recommend the book to all but especially to families who are dealing with the loss of a pet. Teachers could also use Disappearances as a teaching tool. The book is the perfect length for reading and discussing it with others.