A unique masterpiece about loss, love, and the worlds best bad dog, from award winner Leslie Connor, author of the National Book AwardfinalistThe Truth as Told by Mason Buttle.This novel sings about loss and love and finding joy in new friendships and a loving family, along with the worlds best bad dog. An uplifting middle grade novel about recovery featuring strong female characters, an adorable dog, and the girl who comes to love him.Its a life-altering New Year for thirteen-year-old Lydia when she uproots to a Connecticut farm to live with her aunt following her mothers death.Aunt Brat and her jovial wife, Eileen, and their ancient live-in landlord, Elloroy, are welcomingand a little quirky. Lydias struggle for a sense of belonging in her new family is highlighted when the women adopt a big yellow dog just days after the girls arrival.Wasnt one rescue enough?Lydia is not a dog personand this one is trouble! He is mistrustful and slinky. He pees in the house, escapes into the woods, and barks at things unseen. His new owners begin to guess about his unknown past.Meanwhile, Lydia doesnt want to be difficultand she does not mean to keep secretsbut there are things shes not telling...Like why the box of paper stuff she keeps under her bed is so important...And why that hole in the wall behind a poster in her room is getting bigger...And why something she took from the big yellow dog just might be the key to unraveling his mysterious pastbut at what cost?* Junior Library Guild Selection *