Patricia Reilly Giff

Sam is almost 11 when he discovers a locked box in the attic above his grandfather Mack’s room, and a piece of paper that says he was kidnapped. There are lots of other words, but Sam has always had trouble reading. He’s desperate to find out who he is, and if his beloved Mack is really his grandfather. At night he’s haunted by dreams of a big castle and a terrifying escape on a boat. Who can he trust to help him read the documents that could unravel the mystery? Then he and the new girl, Caroline, are paired up to work on a school project, building a castle in Mack’s woodworking shop. Caroline loves to read, and she can help. But she’s moving soon, and the two must hurry to discover the truth about Sam.

Best friends, Jilli and Jim fret, when Jilli’s dog, Fiercely, digs under the fence and into another yard. The children muster their courage and some gummy bears to confront the witch but discover that she’s a trusted teacher who’s preparing for school. This gentle, easy-to-read story, provides readers with an important reminder.

Could the ears and tail be the frightening fox that Jilli was just reading about? When her dog, Fiercely, takes off is he chasing the fox? Jilli and her friend Jim venture out into the snow to find out in this gently mysterious wintery tale.