Every day when Hannah gets off the bus after school, her papa is there to meet her, and Sugar is there to meet Violet. Every day Violet’s mom asks if Hannah wants to pet Sugar. And every day Hannah says, “No, thank you.” When Sugar goes missing, Hannah and Papa help look, but no one can find the dog. Sitting on her steps that night, Hannah “wondered how it would feel to be lost in the dark. She decided that it would be scary and that if she were lost she would be sad and probably hungry.” Then she hears a whimper. In the bushes next to her house she finds Sugar, whose leash is caught on a branch. Hannah wants to back away. Instead, she takes a deep breath, reaches out her hand for Sugar to sniff, then releases the catch of the leash. An immensely satisfying story is beautifully spare in the telling, with minimal words and skillful repetition. Uncluttered illustrations in a subdued palette are rich in narrative and emotional detail. Highly Commended, 2017 Charlotte Zolotow Award (Ages 3–7)

Every day after school, Hannah’s school bus is greeted by her classmate’s dog, Sugar. All of the other kids love Sugar, but Hannah just can’t conquer her fear of dogs. Then, one day, Sugar goes missing, so Hannah joins the search with her classmates. Will Hannah find a way to be brave, and make a new friend in the process?