Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week

Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week

Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week

Two Friends, One Dog, and a Very Unusual Week

Ages: 8-12
Fantasy
Peachtree
April 2023
ISBN: 9781682635162
 Hardcover Trade, $16.99

Take Pippi Longstocking’s joie de vivre, blend it with a 21st century urban setting, and what do you get? This joyfully carefree story about two unlikely friends: straitlaced Emily and lively Rani. Rani moves into the attic of Emily’s apartment building, where she lives with a dog named Otto and no adults in sight–and that’s only the first surprising thing about this irrepressible girl who can build anything, make friends with anyone, and doesn’t seem to have any idea what a rule is or why she should follow one. Emily is swept up in Rani’s thrilling escapades…but Rani may need Emily’s help as she learns to navigate school, shopping, and grown-ups.

 

Awards and Accolades

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

A Listening Library Selection

“Readers will treasure the blossoming friendship between opposites in this whimsically illustrated tale. Short chapters and plenty of action make for an accessible and appealing reading experience. . . . Touching and inspiring.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“With wild, imaginative flair, fourth-grader Rani is a bit Pippi Longstocking, while her propensity to take language literally is a bit Amelia Bedelia. And like those fictional favorites, she’ll definitely appeal to readers. . . . The multicultural crew and Vogel’s bouncy line drawings keep the story contemporary, lighthearted, and fun.”
—Booklist

“Fast-paced episodes keep things moving as Thomson showcases Rani’s vivid imagination and, in affectionate prose, the way her welcoming attitude brings community to the fore.”—Publishers Weekly