Sayantani DasGupta

Spotting a stray dog in a neighbor's backyard changes everything for an animal loving fifth grader. Anika spends her time bird watching, caring for a neighborhood parrot, and volunteering at the local shelter with her Girl Scout troop. She desperately wants a pet of her own, but her parents are not convinced she is ready for the responsibility. When Anika discovers the stray pup, she decides to take matters into her own hands to prove she can handle it. Between navigating friendship drama at school and dealing with a busy family, keeping the dog a secret becomes a massive challenge. When the pup suddenly goes missing, Anika realizes she cannot do this alone. You will cheer for Anika as she learns to ask for help, rallying her friends to build a strong web of support and bring the sweet dog to safety.