One in a Million

by Nicholas Read

One minute stray pup Joey is playing happily with his brothers and sisters and snuggling close to their mother, the next he finds himself in a cardboard box at the animal shelter. It’s scary enough without the stories he hears about mysterious disappearances of other dogs who have shared his situation. But Joey’s no quitter, and he’s about to embark on the first adventure of his young life. With a little help from his friends – Mick, his cagemate at the shelter; Dumpster, the street dog who teaches him about survival; and Marjorie, the shelter volunteer determined to help him – Joey learns the most important things for a dog are a home and people to love. But how can a big, black, untrained dog find a home? Nicholas Read’s sensitive portrayal of Joey’s dilemma, and blossoming strength, make him an endearing hero and a lesson for young readers in how to care for a dog.

144 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2000

Reviews

[Bujingoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

i think This book is about stray dogs life which is very emotional.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this Juv Fiction book for my library because I had heard such good things about it, and I was not in the least disappointed. This is the intelligent story about what can go wrong and right in a dog’s life—and the ways in which human beings can ensure their comfort and happiness. Told from the perspective of Joey the shepherd mix, the book gives readers a dog’s eye view of the world. Gentle lessons about pet care are woven in without distracting from the storyline.

All around a top-notch contribution to humane literature. It’s a shame it’s out of print.