By Katherine Applegate
New York: Storytide, 2026. Fiction. 328 pgs.
Wombat isn't really a wombat. She's a stray dog, with a destiny that she's determined to find. As wildfires sweep through the park where Wombat lives, a voice inside her tells her not to run from the fire, but to head straight into them. Her destiny is there. Meanwhile, Henry Cooper is forced to evacuate from his home alongside his moms and sister and make their way to a shelter. As the blaze burns on, threatening to destroy the community completely, Henry and Wombat find their way to one another. Wombat doesn't usually like people, but she feels drawn to Henry—her person. Henry is less certain at first, he loves animals and volunteers with his Mama Ro at an animal shelter, but is nervous around dogs. It's up to both of them—dog and pup—to decide to trust each other.
This novel in verse is based on the real-life Palisades and Eaton fires in Southern California in 2025. That realistic background, adds an extra layer of interest and intensity to this sweet story about an animal and a boy finding each other. This is a really appealing and accessible novel for readers who are interested in animal stories and like books grounded in real life. This book will charm fans of other Katherine Applegate books.
Comments