BookDragon Blog

When her parents take their annual summer trip to India, 11-year-old Poppy decides it’s the perfect chance to spend a month with her veterinarian Uncle Sanjay who runs an animal clinic on Nisqually Island off Washington’s coast. How else can she learn to be a vet, too, especially since her allergy-suffering mother has a no-pets policy at home.

Uncle Sanjay, who’s rather like a rock star on the idyllic island with his easy manner and his saving skills, is a patient teacher who teaches Poppy that being a vet means much more than holding puppies and cuddling felines. Her summer is not without challenges, from learning to deal with real blood and other yucky stuff, testing new friendships, and learning the sometimes high cost of following your dreams.

Anjali Banerjee‘s latest for middle-grade readers is another breezy fun read with just enough heartfelt moments that will make even us wizened adults shed a tear or two. Banerjee’s own devotion to her furry loved ones (the book is dedicated to her beloved late kitty Monet) is certainly evident, especially when she writes about Uncle Sanjay’s regular patient, Marmalade, an elderly cat whom Uncle Sanjay must soon help cross over to a peaceful afterlife. As the former guardian of four legendary kitties (our practice children before the human ones finally came along), I admit I sniffled and sobbed … who knew I was so schmaltzy in my old age?!

Tidbit: Anjali Banerjee was one of our many wonderful guests for SALTAF 2005 [South Asian Literary and Theater Arts Festival]. Mark your calendars for SALTAF 2010 which happens Saturday, November 13, 2010!

Readers: Middle Grade

Published: 2010