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Missing Mike
He's a rescue, a mutt. Maybe there's a little golden retriever in him, although he's not exactly pretty. He's had a run-in with coyotes and he's missing an eye. But Mike is eleven-year-old Caera Donovan's dog, and they love each other absolutely. Usually her pet follows Caera everywhere, but on the day the family first smells smoke in the air, Mike becomes anxious. Pine Grove is in the path of a wildfire, and the family is ordered to evacuate. In the ensuing chaos, Mike runs off. And then the unthinkable happens; there is no time to search for Mike. They are forced to leave him behind.
Shocked and devastated, Caera watches helplessly as the family drives through a nightmare, with burning debris falling from the sky and wild animals fleeing for their lives. Once in the city far from the burn zone, the Donovans are housed with a volunteer host family. Jewel, the hosts' daughter, is nice, but Caera can only think about what she may have lost. What will happen if nothing is left? But as she reflects on what "home" means to her, Caera knows only one thing. She is not going to lose Mike. She will do what it takes to find him, even if it means going back to Pine Grove on her own.
With her signature style combining simplicity and lyricism, the author of Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles and Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess tells an uplifting story of love and loss. And she shows how one girl’s stressful journey eventually leads her to an unexpected place, and a new definition of home.
Shocked and devastated, Caera watches helplessly as the family drives through a nightmare, with burning debris falling from the sky and wild animals fleeing for their lives. Once in the city far from the burn zone, the Donovans are housed with a volunteer host family. Jewel, the hosts' daughter, is nice, but Caera can only think about what she may have lost. What will happen if nothing is left? But as she reflects on what "home" means to her, Caera knows only one thing. She is not going to lose Mike. She will do what it takes to find him, even if it means going back to Pine Grove on her own.
With her signature style combining simplicity and lyricism, the author of Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles and Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess tells an uplifting story of love and loss. And she shows how one girl’s stressful journey eventually leads her to an unexpected place, and a new definition of home.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 2018
18 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Shari Green
13 books120 followersShari Green is an award-winning author of novels in verse. She’s also a poet, musician, and former nurse. She loves being out in nature and can often be found wandering the beaches or forest trails near her home. Shari lives with her husband on Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, on the traditional territory of the Laich-Kwil-Tach peoples.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
April 27, 2018
Thanks so much to the author for providing @kidlitexchange with a review copy of this book!
I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. Absolutely love. I want to hug it and give it a place on my forever shelf. And here's why: I love dog books. I love verse novels. But while the book is both of those things, it's also so much more. It's an emotional look at the realities of wildfires and the devastation they can bring to communities, and it's an exploration of the meaning of the word home. It's an accessible text for readers of all ages and it straight up just made me feel all the feelings.
And as a school librarian, I recommend this as a part of every middle grade collection. I will be purchasing it for both my elementary and middle/high school libraries for our dedicated verse collections. Bravo to Shari Green for writing such a unique and heartfelt story!
I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. Absolutely love. I want to hug it and give it a place on my forever shelf. And here's why: I love dog books. I love verse novels. But while the book is both of those things, it's also so much more. It's an emotional look at the realities of wildfires and the devastation they can bring to communities, and it's an exploration of the meaning of the word home. It's an accessible text for readers of all ages and it straight up just made me feel all the feelings.
And as a school librarian, I recommend this as a part of every middle grade collection. I will be purchasing it for both my elementary and middle/high school libraries for our dedicated verse collections. Bravo to Shari Green for writing such a unique and heartfelt story!
February 22, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
I am a big fan of Shari Green's writing style, and once again, her poetic voice drew me into a story that's heartfelt, and real.
Cara and her family are forced to evacuate their home when a forest fire comes too near to their hometown of Pine Grove. As they are loading their vehicle, Cara's dog, Mike, runs away, and the family is forced to flee with him. After a harrowing escape, they find temporary accommodations with a host family, but Cara cannot bear the thought of Mike out there on his own. Not only is she desperate to find Mike, but other factors beyond her control are threatening her sense of stability. Cara must find a way to accept the changes that are taking place, while holding on to hope for the future.
The author has an excellent grasp of the thoughts and feelings of her characters, and they ring true to life. Cara's sadness and worry feel authentic, and the issues surrounding her evacuation (the family stress, concern for Mike and her home, the impact of the situation on her best friend) make the situation feel complex and multi-faceted. I think young readers will enjoy the tension that runs throughout this book, and its length and style makes it extremely accessible to readers of multiple ages.
Although a novel in verse is difficult to read as an eARC with its formatting issues (which impacted my enjoyment of this book, to no fault of the author, or the story), I definitely look forward to reading this story again in its final form.
#missingmike #netgalley
I am a big fan of Shari Green's writing style, and once again, her poetic voice drew me into a story that's heartfelt, and real.
Cara and her family are forced to evacuate their home when a forest fire comes too near to their hometown of Pine Grove. As they are loading their vehicle, Cara's dog, Mike, runs away, and the family is forced to flee with him. After a harrowing escape, they find temporary accommodations with a host family, but Cara cannot bear the thought of Mike out there on his own. Not only is she desperate to find Mike, but other factors beyond her control are threatening her sense of stability. Cara must find a way to accept the changes that are taking place, while holding on to hope for the future.
The author has an excellent grasp of the thoughts and feelings of her characters, and they ring true to life. Cara's sadness and worry feel authentic, and the issues surrounding her evacuation (the family stress, concern for Mike and her home, the impact of the situation on her best friend) make the situation feel complex and multi-faceted. I think young readers will enjoy the tension that runs throughout this book, and its length and style makes it extremely accessible to readers of multiple ages.
Although a novel in verse is difficult to read as an eARC with its formatting issues (which impacted my enjoyment of this book, to no fault of the author, or the story), I definitely look forward to reading this story again in its final form.
#missingmike #netgalley
September 3, 2018
This book is written in lyrical free verse, just like the other book I read from this author, Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles, which was my top MG choice for 2016. The one thing I appreciated in both of these books is the MCs think and react appropriate to their ages. I have read several Middle Grades over the last couple of years where the elementary school age characters think like 40 year old mental health therapists. Kids want to relate to the characters in MG! I love it when young characters are sometimes confused or angered by what the adult characters do, and/or say; just like in real life. Green is also skilled at portraying family dynamics in a realistic way. This story was Middle Grade perfection for me.
One element that had my heart from the beginning was Mike was both a rescue shelter dog and a less adoptable choice having only one eye. The major themes in this story were what makes a family, and what makes a place home. The author used more than one contrasting example for each. This is important in MG books.
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
Jolene from Jo's Book Blog and I buddy read this book for our annual Dog Days of Summer Celebration, and asked each other questions in tandem blog reviews.
Here is my link: http://lalatoadstone.blogspot.com/201...
Here is Jolene's link: https://jolenewilsonblog.wordpress.co...
One element that had my heart from the beginning was Mike was both a rescue shelter dog and a less adoptable choice having only one eye. The major themes in this story were what makes a family, and what makes a place home. The author used more than one contrasting example for each. This is important in MG books.
I was approved for an eARC, via Netgalley, in return for an honest review.
Jolene from Jo's Book Blog and I buddy read this book for our annual Dog Days of Summer Celebration, and asked each other questions in tandem blog reviews.
Here is my link: http://lalatoadstone.blogspot.com/201...
Here is Jolene's link: https://jolenewilsonblog.wordpress.co...
December 18, 2018
This was a nice middle grade book. I think it suffered being read on the heels of another middle grade prose book that was outstanding. Missing Mike was a great story. The prose style didn't do anything to add to the story. This was simply a nice tale of surviving disaster and the power of love.
July 27, 2022
Novel in verse explores the meaning of home when Cara and her family are forced to evacuate their home due to forest fires. Her beloved dog Mike runs off in the chaos. When the worst happens, the kindness of strangers and new friends is almost overwhelming, but it brings her family closer in the end.
March 2, 2018
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC of this book.
I read this book just to find out if she finds her dog.....I won't say yay or nay but WOW! this was a good book.
This book hit really close to home for me because it's about a girl who has to evacuate her house to avoid wildfires when her beloved dog, Mike, gets left behind.
A few months ago, my own area was affected by massive wildfires, my school was closed and several of my friends were evacuated, one of them lost their house in the fires (Northern California/Napa area 2017). I remember watching videos of an owner coming home and finding their dog still alive and waiting for them. I wanted this for Cara, I needed this for Cara. It's something children in my state can relate.
One of the journeys, I also appreciated was the idea of how to define what a home is. Cara accumulating the different words and ideas of home was very touching. And I very much enjoyed Shari Green's writing style.
I plan on reading this to my students once the book is released. I know my students will be drawn into the story and wonder/hope Cara is reunited with Mike.
I read this book just to find out if she finds her dog.....I won't say yay or nay but WOW! this was a good book.
This book hit really close to home for me because it's about a girl who has to evacuate her house to avoid wildfires when her beloved dog, Mike, gets left behind.
A few months ago, my own area was affected by massive wildfires, my school was closed and several of my friends were evacuated, one of them lost their house in the fires (Northern California/Napa area 2017). I remember watching videos of an owner coming home and finding their dog still alive and waiting for them. I wanted this for Cara, I needed this for Cara. It's something children in my state can relate.
One of the journeys, I also appreciated was the idea of how to define what a home is. Cara accumulating the different words and ideas of home was very touching. And I very much enjoyed Shari Green's writing style.
I plan on reading this to my students once the book is released. I know my students will be drawn into the story and wonder/hope Cara is reunited with Mike.
March 26, 2018
Missing Mike is the story of a girl forced to evacuate her home due to wildfires, but her dog ran off before she could get him in the truck. This book is a MUST for my fifth grade classroom, because year after year, it's universal that fifths love animals.
But it's also a journey of learning to accept and be grateful for what you do have, even while embracing the aching left behind from a loss.
Lovely book with strong themes, wonderful characters, and lots of hope.
But it's also a journey of learning to accept and be grateful for what you do have, even while embracing the aching left behind from a loss.
Lovely book with strong themes, wonderful characters, and lots of hope.
March 14, 2020
I know how heartbreaking it is to have a dog that is lost. Years ago I asked a friend if she could take care of my dog for the day while I had movers coming in and out of my house. I trusted that she would take good care of her. She didn't. Right after I dropped her off she put her in the backyard and took off for the day with her boyfriend. Didn't even check to make sure the backyard gate was securely closed. It wasn't. Out my dog went to try to get back to me. My friend didn't live anywhere close to me so she had no idea where to go. This was the end of our friendship, if there ever even was one to begin with. I spent the next two weeks driving up and down the streets in my (ex)friend's neighborhood, putting up LOST DOG flyers everywhere, calling the local animal control every day, and doing lots and lots of crying and praying. I was lost and grieving without her just like Cara is lost and grieving without Mike. Finally after two weeks I got a call from a car wash place close to where my dog got lost. A dog matching my dog's description had wandered in that morning and they thought she might be mine. I was never so happy to get a phone call as I was to get that one. How she made it across the very busy four lane road to get safely to the other side to the car wash was something I didn't even want to think about. I was just so happy to know she was safe and would soon be home with me. So this story really hit home in so many ways. But Cara's story takes on an additional heartbreak that I didn't have to deal with. She and her family and most of the community lost their homes, their businesses, everything. It's all gone and they have nothing left. Nothing except each other and the love they share. They have family. Isn't that really the definition of home?
May 4, 2022
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Missing Mike is an exploration of the concept of home. When Caera’s family is displaced by wildfires, she’s faced with a myriad of fears and questions. Where will they go? How will they get by with the few meager possessions they were able to gather before they had to evacuate? What if, in the end, they don’t have a house to go back to? And what does it mean to be truly without a home? But, perhaps most of all, Caera worries about the family member they had to leave behind, their dog Mike. Mike ran away just before the evacuation, and Caera can’t help but feel like she could have, should have done more to try to find him. Images of her home burning are always accompanied by thoughts of her poor pup, left confused and alone in a raging wildfire. She is determined to find him, whatever it takes. Maybe it has something to do with my own love for my dogs, but this is honestly one of the most emotionally compelling verse novels I’ve ever read. Sometimes novels in verse can end up distancing the reader from the MC somewhat, but that was not the case here. I felt every moment of Caera’s fears and pain (yep, some tears were shed), and I was so hoping for a happy ending. And unfortunately, there are so many natural disasters happening in the world these days that plenty of kids will relate to this story. Plus, all kids go through uncertainties, so those who have no direct experience with evacuation and the fears go along with it will still connect to Caera’s experiences. Time will tell, but I think this one’s getting added to my list of All Time Favorites!
Missing Mike is an exploration of the concept of home. When Caera’s family is displaced by wildfires, she’s faced with a myriad of fears and questions. Where will they go? How will they get by with the few meager possessions they were able to gather before they had to evacuate? What if, in the end, they don’t have a house to go back to? And what does it mean to be truly without a home? But, perhaps most of all, Caera worries about the family member they had to leave behind, their dog Mike. Mike ran away just before the evacuation, and Caera can’t help but feel like she could have, should have done more to try to find him. Images of her home burning are always accompanied by thoughts of her poor pup, left confused and alone in a raging wildfire. She is determined to find him, whatever it takes. Maybe it has something to do with my own love for my dogs, but this is honestly one of the most emotionally compelling verse novels I’ve ever read. Sometimes novels in verse can end up distancing the reader from the MC somewhat, but that was not the case here. I felt every moment of Caera’s fears and pain (yep, some tears were shed), and I was so hoping for a happy ending. And unfortunately, there are so many natural disasters happening in the world these days that plenty of kids will relate to this story. Plus, all kids go through uncertainties, so those who have no direct experience with evacuation and the fears go along with it will still connect to Caera’s experiences. Time will tell, but I think this one’s getting added to my list of All Time Favorites!
August 10, 2019
What a tremendous book! Missing Mike is a middle grade novel in verse that packs an emotional wallop! Cara and her family must flee their home when a wildfire threatens her community. In the panic of the moment, her beloved dog, Mike, goes missing. Cara is consumed with worry for her special dog and is saddened by their current situation. The feelings Shari Green conveys are authentic and relatable, making this a tear jerker.
Missing Mike is shortlisted for the 2020 MYRCA Sundogs and I would recommend it for students in grades 4-6 (and older). Missing Mike would make a great read aloud (and bonding experience when everyone cries together!) In my opinion, sharing this novel as a read aloud will also help students overcome their reluctance with novels in verse, which may be the only barrier to students enjoying this great novel.
Missing Mike is shortlisted for the 2020 MYRCA Sundogs and I would recommend it for students in grades 4-6 (and older). Missing Mike would make a great read aloud (and bonding experience when everyone cries together!) In my opinion, sharing this novel as a read aloud will also help students overcome their reluctance with novels in verse, which may be the only barrier to students enjoying this great novel.
October 29, 2019
“In this moment
with home in my heart
and Mike at my side
I swear
I could slay dragons.”
with home in my heart
and Mike at my side
I swear
I could slay dragons.”
November 13, 2020
This is scary. Not like there is a monster under bed scary but the fear of losing a pet. I have 9 cats so if I left one behind, especially in a fire I would be devastated. I love them so much and would never want this to happen to me. I also can't believe in all her struggle of trying o get her dog back her friend says she is going to MOVE that is just awful inside of awfulness. Also I really wanted them to keep the cat her sister could have gotten one too!
July 20, 2024
Six years ago dear friends survived massive California fires with their two dogs. So when I learned about Missing Mike, I just HAD to read it. It hit me straight in the heart, as a young girl finds that her beloved dog has run away while the family is being evacuated due to wildfires. Kids and adult will love this poignant, beautifully written tale!
April 25, 2019
Missing Mike by Shari Green, 248 pages. Pajama Press, 2018. $17.
Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Cara’s best friend is Mike Wazowski, her one-eyed dog. She’s devastated when he runs off just as her family are fleeing the wildfires threatening her neighborhood. Her father insists that it’s too dangerous to go after him. While staying in temporary housing, Cara has one thing on her mind. Finding Mike. She contacts all the shelters and posts a photo on social media. When Mike still doesn’t turn up, there’s only one thing left to do. Ignore the evacuation order and return home.
I can’t say enough good things about Shari Green’s verse novels. She chooses words carefully to make an emotional connection and teach you a valuable lesson. Cara is not upset when her home is destroyed, because she realizes that a home is not defined by the physical dwelling, but by the people in it. Cara’s home is wherever Mike is. Most people identify with the strong urge to save a pet. That, combined with the recent wildfire disasters, make this a book kids will thoroughly enjoy.
Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
Language: G; Mature Content: G; Violence: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: EL – ESSENTIAL
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Cara’s best friend is Mike Wazowski, her one-eyed dog. She’s devastated when he runs off just as her family are fleeing the wildfires threatening her neighborhood. Her father insists that it’s too dangerous to go after him. While staying in temporary housing, Cara has one thing on her mind. Finding Mike. She contacts all the shelters and posts a photo on social media. When Mike still doesn’t turn up, there’s only one thing left to do. Ignore the evacuation order and return home.
I can’t say enough good things about Shari Green’s verse novels. She chooses words carefully to make an emotional connection and teach you a valuable lesson. Cara is not upset when her home is destroyed, because she realizes that a home is not defined by the physical dwelling, but by the people in it. Cara’s home is wherever Mike is. Most people identify with the strong urge to save a pet. That, combined with the recent wildfire disasters, make this a book kids will thoroughly enjoy.
Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
March 16, 2019
First - this is the first fiction book I have read in verse, so I wasn't sure if I was going to like it or not.
Two - I have never experienced a "wild fire" such as is described in this story, however, the past two years in Washington State, we have experienced the "fall-out" of wild fires - the first (2017) from British Columbia (where the author is from), the second (2018) from the California fires - the sky was totally overcast for days, ash was falling from the sky for days, to the point that it appeared to be snowing, and, yes, the sun does turn the most incredible color imaginable.
Cara and her family are forced to leave their home and town when the fire changes direction. Unfortunately, Mike, the family's one-eyed dog ran off before they could get him in the car to leave.
The family evacuates with minimal personal items - along the way, Cara's father stops for an "abandoned" black and white cat.
What begins, as the family is welcomed into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bains, unexpectedly becomes a journey of growing for Cara, her sister and parents, when they are finally given the ok to return to Pine Grove, they must face reality as a family unit.
And Mike, well you have to read the story to find out.
Two - I have never experienced a "wild fire" such as is described in this story, however, the past two years in Washington State, we have experienced the "fall-out" of wild fires - the first (2017) from British Columbia (where the author is from), the second (2018) from the California fires - the sky was totally overcast for days, ash was falling from the sky for days, to the point that it appeared to be snowing, and, yes, the sun does turn the most incredible color imaginable.
Cara and her family are forced to leave their home and town when the fire changes direction. Unfortunately, Mike, the family's one-eyed dog ran off before they could get him in the car to leave.
The family evacuates with minimal personal items - along the way, Cara's father stops for an "abandoned" black and white cat.
What begins, as the family is welcomed into the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bains, unexpectedly becomes a journey of growing for Cara, her sister and parents, when they are finally given the ok to return to Pine Grove, they must face reality as a family unit.
And Mike, well you have to read the story to find out.
October 28, 2020
Des incendies ravagent la forêt près de chez Cara. Lorsque l’ordre d’évacuation est donné, Cara et sa famille disposent de dix minutes pour ramasser leurs choses et quitter. Alors qu’ils s’apprêtent à quitter d’urgence, Mike, leur chien, manque à l’appel. Ne pouvant rester sur place plus longtemps, Cara est forcée d’abandonner son meilleur ami. Dès son arrivée en lieu sûr, elle débute sa quête afin de retrouver son compagnon.
.
Pour ceux qui ne le savent pas, j’ai un amour immense pour les copains canins et toute histoire à leur sujet me rend émotive. L’histoire de Cara et Mike est présentée en vers libres et j’ai trouvé que ça créait une distance entre le lecteur et l’histoire. Ça reste émouvant mais ça ne met pas les larmes aux yeux. L’angoisse, l’espoir et la résilience de Cara sont palpables tout au long de l’histoire. Bien qu’il soit indiqué pour un public de 9 ans et plus, ce roman saura plaire aux petits et grands!
.
Pour ceux qui ne le savent pas, j’ai un amour immense pour les copains canins et toute histoire à leur sujet me rend émotive. L’histoire de Cara et Mike est présentée en vers libres et j’ai trouvé que ça créait une distance entre le lecteur et l’histoire. Ça reste émouvant mais ça ne met pas les larmes aux yeux. L’angoisse, l’espoir et la résilience de Cara sont palpables tout au long de l’histoire. Bien qu’il soit indiqué pour un public de 9 ans et plus, ce roman saura plaire aux petits et grands!
August 13, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley, Pajama Press, and Shari Green for the opportunity to read Missing Mike in exchange for an honest review.
Missing Mike is a hi-lo novel written in a poetic verse structure. While there are older release covers, this release is being featured with the most adorable cover with Mike running behind Cara on her bike. How cute is this depiction of a true survivor?
This novel follows Cara and her family as they must evacuate from Pine Grove due to a very nearby local forest fire. In the chaos of evacuation, their dog, Mike Wosowski, goes missing. When they end up at the evacuation center, all ten-year-old Cara can think about is finding Mike, hoping someone would come along and pick him up, the way they pulled over for someone's cat.
Cara does everything she can to spread the word about Mike, hoping someone will find him. Their family worries that they won't have a home left to go to, but at least they have each other, and hopefully Mike will make it. The story is heartwarming, but also very real in the fears that fire brings to those that must evacuate their homes, waiting with no semblance of control over what might happen. From the perspective of a ten-year-old, the worry of a pet and the idea of what "home" might become makes for an incredible story for younger middle grade readers.
Missing Mike is a wholistically enjoyable read that has my heart aching along with the characters, but tells a tried-and-true story worth reading.
Missing Mike is a hi-lo novel written in a poetic verse structure. While there are older release covers, this release is being featured with the most adorable cover with Mike running behind Cara on her bike. How cute is this depiction of a true survivor?
This novel follows Cara and her family as they must evacuate from Pine Grove due to a very nearby local forest fire. In the chaos of evacuation, their dog, Mike Wosowski, goes missing. When they end up at the evacuation center, all ten-year-old Cara can think about is finding Mike, hoping someone would come along and pick him up, the way they pulled over for someone's cat.
Cara does everything she can to spread the word about Mike, hoping someone will find him. Their family worries that they won't have a home left to go to, but at least they have each other, and hopefully Mike will make it. The story is heartwarming, but also very real in the fears that fire brings to those that must evacuate their homes, waiting with no semblance of control over what might happen. From the perspective of a ten-year-old, the worry of a pet and the idea of what "home" might become makes for an incredible story for younger middle grade readers.
Missing Mike is a wholistically enjoyable read that has my heart aching along with the characters, but tells a tried-and-true story worth reading.
January 7, 2021
Lien vers la critique complète : http://sophielit.ca/critique.php?id=2449
C’est la première fois que je lis une œuvre de Shari Green, mais je me promets que ce ne sera pas la dernière. Oui, j’ai un petit penchant pour les romans en vers ces temps-ci, mais c’est aussi que celui-ci est très fort. Le récit s’intéresse à la réalité des familles déplacées : la précipitation et le choc du départ, les lieux plutôt impersonnels où ils arrivent, la précarité, le besoin de s’accrocher à des petites choses, de trouver des repères, le vide en soi quand on n’a plus de « chez-soi », mais aussi l’espoir, la gentillesse des bénévoles, l’aide mise en place.
C’est la première fois que je lis une œuvre de Shari Green, mais je me promets que ce ne sera pas la dernière. Oui, j’ai un petit penchant pour les romans en vers ces temps-ci, mais c’est aussi que celui-ci est très fort. Le récit s’intéresse à la réalité des familles déplacées : la précipitation et le choc du départ, les lieux plutôt impersonnels où ils arrivent, la précarité, le besoin de s’accrocher à des petites choses, de trouver des repères, le vide en soi quand on n’a plus de « chez-soi », mais aussi l’espoir, la gentillesse des bénévoles, l’aide mise en place.
July 23, 2025
Alors qu’un immense feu de forêt menace sa région, Cara est forcée d’évacuer sa maison avec sa famille. Dans la panique, son chien Mike disparaît. Brisée par cette perte, Cara décide de tout faire pour le retrouver.
L’histoire est raconté en vers, de manière poétique, c’est doux, mais très émotif à la fois. C’est certain que j’allais verser une larme, moi et les animaux si vous saviez comment c’est l’amour fou. 🥺😻
J’ai gagné ce livre lors de ma participation à Osheadapt, un évènement organisé par les CP d’adaptation scolaire de mon centre de service.
Bien heureuse de l’avoir dans mes bibliothèques.
Note finale : 4⭐️
L’histoire est raconté en vers, de manière poétique, c’est doux, mais très émotif à la fois. C’est certain que j’allais verser une larme, moi et les animaux si vous saviez comment c’est l’amour fou. 🥺😻
J’ai gagné ce livre lors de ma participation à Osheadapt, un évènement organisé par les CP d’adaptation scolaire de mon centre de service.
Bien heureuse de l’avoir dans mes bibliothèques.
Note finale : 4⭐️
May 10, 2021
I absolutely loved, loved this book. I'm so happy I have a keeper copy. I love dog stories, novels in verse, survival stories, explorations of the meaning of family, as well as friendship stories. This novel is all of them and so much more. The meaning of home runs throughout the novel and evolves as the narrator's life changes due to natural disasters. The themes of what is important, how to face terrible loss, and refusing to give up hope are important parts of this emotional novel. I wanted to hug this book when I finished and will be recommending this book to everyone.
January 9, 2022
A wonderful middle school book about the wildfires of California that we hear about on the news. Cara has a one eyed dog named Mike and they are separated at the beginning of the story. Cara’s family is told to evacuate and there’s no time to find Mike. It’s a sad story but this family has each other and they will be okay.
June 7, 2022
I loved this book. It is the first I have read of Shari Green’s and found the free verse style very compelling. The rhythm and pace of the words keep the story moving in a beautifully lyrical manner. It is emotionally gripping and at the same time relevant to the trauma of one of our contemporary, close to home issues: wildfires. A heartwarming read for anyone!
July 8, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. A beautiful novel in verse that looks to define home through the eyes of Cara. A great middle grade read for readers who enjoy books about animals (which in my experience, is most of them!)
Having someone who loves you enough
to wait
in the dreary weather
someone who's happy to see you
no matter what mood
you're in...
there's nothing better
than that.
Having someone who loves you enough
to wait
in the dreary weather
someone who's happy to see you
no matter what mood
you're in...
there's nothing better
than that.
March 3, 2019
Cara's summer is cut short when a wildfire threatens her home and the family needs to evacuate. She leaves her dog Mike in the backyard while she runs in to pack her things, but when she returns he's not in the yard and the family must evacuate without him. Can you feel at home when everything is gone? Cara works crossword puzzles to help pass the time, but is stumped by a 5 letter word for house (it's not home), so she makes a list in the back of the puzzle book. Home is more than just a house, it is family, love, loyalty, so much more than a fire can erase. But what if you can't find your best friend?
Children will connect with this - Cara is not the only one looking for a pet, and that is something many people can identify with. Green grabs the reader right at the beginning, and the free verse story is a quick read.
Children will connect with this - Cara is not the only one looking for a pet, and that is something many people can identify with. Green grabs the reader right at the beginning, and the free verse story is a quick read.
May 21, 2018
The wildfires are bad this year
new ones popping up every day
...
It's hard to tell how far away the smoke is
but the tightness in my gut
says it's not far enough.
Canadian author Shari Green, author of the critically acclaimed and award-winning novel-in-verse Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess, returns with Missing Mike, a middle grade novel (also in free verse) about a young girl's unbreakable bond with her rescue dog Mike and what happens to Mike, her family, and their community when a devastating, seemingly unstoppable wildfire hits their town.
That's when I saw Mike.
He wasn't a puppy
and he wasn't cute
but I was pretty sure
he needed somebody to love him.
We meet Cara Donovan and her dog, Mike (full name Mike Wazowski, after the famous monster), shortly before she and her family have to evacuate their home of Pine Grove (hours north from Vancouver) due to rapidly-spreading wildfires. In first-person narrative, Cara takes readers through the terror she, her older sister Sloane, and their mom and dad feel as they are faced with ten minutes to vacate their house. In the immediate sharpness and disorientation of the moment, Cara and her family quickly pack, taking their pre-prepared 'just in case' bags with whatever they think their must-have items could be. Cara, in the middle of brushing her beloved one-eyed rescue mutt, leaves Mike in their backyard, with the plan to take him to the car promptly after packing. The only thing is, when Cara goes back to their fenced-in backyard, Mike is gone: "Mike's not in the yard / probably jumped clear over the lousy fence / searching for a cool spot / a not-so-smoky spot / a safe spot". Cara pleads with her family to let her search for her best friend, but the utter urgency of their evacuation orders overrides everything. Even looking for a much-loved family member. We follow Cara and her family as they are taken in by a well-meaning, hospitable couple and their child Jewel, who becomes a friend and ally when Cara attempts, multiple times, to locate her dog. Woven in Missing Mike is Cara's exercise- stemming from her love of crossword puzzles- in figuring out different words for home...and what 'home' really means in the midst of tragedy and displacement, while feeling and receiving kindness and warmth from strangers brought together in crisis. The main thread in Missing Mike, though, is that of Cara's unyielding quest to, beyond all hope, find her much loved dog. Never resting, Cara is proactive in her multiple searches, helped by Jewel and even her strangely distant sister, providing readers with just enough small rays of hope to believe that her resilient dog Mike might just be out there, facing down coyotes and fires, waiting for his best friend to come back.
Overall, Missing Mike is a touching, lyrical story with the beautiful, boundless relationship of Cara and Mike as its core and achor. Shari Green's writing style is effortless and candid, a perfect match for Cara's natural and appropriately trusting, childlike narrative. Readers who love stories about human-animal bonds, children's novels told in free verse, or middle grade titles that explore family dynamics and strength in facing adversity might find much to love about Missing Mike. Those who enjoy the writing of authors such as K.A. Holt, Katherine Applegate, Barbara O'Connor, Beth Vrabel or Alison Hughes might also want to check this moving middle grade novel out.
I received a copy courtesy of Pajama Press in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and comments are my own.
July 9, 2018
My newest favourite thing is a novel in verse. Until this year, I had never read one before and now I have four under my belt. The latest being Missing Mike by Shari Green, published by Pajama Press Inc. I LOVED it!
Missing Mike is a fabulous novel in verse set against of the wildfires that devastated Western Canada last summer. With another dry summer on the horizon, this story could be one faced by many again this summer. Cara lives in Pine Grove, a fictional town in Alberta, Canada. She lives with her parents, her older, teenage sister, and her loving dog Mike, named after Mike Wazowski, the one eyed monster. When the wildfires force Cara and her family to pack up and evacuate in under 10 minutes, Mike runs forcing Cara to leave him behind while the family travels to the city where it is safe.
There is so much going on in this story: the fear and sadness of the unknown, the heartache of missing/losing a pet, the separation between siblings as they grow into teenagers. While reading this story you will feel the fear, anxiety, and desperation Cara feels. Shari Green’s writing is so powerful you become a player in the story. You are living through the fear and sadness Cara and so many others are experiencing. You feel a sense of community with those who were evacuated and who lost most of their possessions. In the end you feel hopeful, for family, for rebuilding, for the future of the west. Shari Green not only puts so much raw emotion in all of her chapters, she also breaks up the heartache and sadness by tapping into Cara’s love of crosswords and sharing it with the readers through crossword clues and answers to help guide the reader through Cara’s journey. Missing Mike is an exploration in the meaning of home and the different ways we can define home.
One of the most wonderful things about a novel in verse is the ease through which the reader is guided through the story. Chapters are short, sometimes only a few words long since they are all poems. These verses combine into a beautiful story that flows from one moment to the next. Also, they are a quick read and kind of perfect for all the different types of readers you will encounter. Novels in verse a great for reluctant readers because they feel short and unintimidating. They are great for avid readers as a novel in verse offers a different perspective and a different type of reading journey from the standard prose. A novel in verse is fantastic for dormant readers (once avid readers who no longer read for pleasure) to offer a shake up and something to reinvigorate their reading.
Missing Mike is such a timely and beautiful novel and deserves a space on your library/classroom/home bookshelves.
Missing Mike is a fabulous novel in verse set against of the wildfires that devastated Western Canada last summer. With another dry summer on the horizon, this story could be one faced by many again this summer. Cara lives in Pine Grove, a fictional town in Alberta, Canada. She lives with her parents, her older, teenage sister, and her loving dog Mike, named after Mike Wazowski, the one eyed monster. When the wildfires force Cara and her family to pack up and evacuate in under 10 minutes, Mike runs forcing Cara to leave him behind while the family travels to the city where it is safe.
There is so much going on in this story: the fear and sadness of the unknown, the heartache of missing/losing a pet, the separation between siblings as they grow into teenagers. While reading this story you will feel the fear, anxiety, and desperation Cara feels. Shari Green’s writing is so powerful you become a player in the story. You are living through the fear and sadness Cara and so many others are experiencing. You feel a sense of community with those who were evacuated and who lost most of their possessions. In the end you feel hopeful, for family, for rebuilding, for the future of the west. Shari Green not only puts so much raw emotion in all of her chapters, she also breaks up the heartache and sadness by tapping into Cara’s love of crosswords and sharing it with the readers through crossword clues and answers to help guide the reader through Cara’s journey. Missing Mike is an exploration in the meaning of home and the different ways we can define home.
One of the most wonderful things about a novel in verse is the ease through which the reader is guided through the story. Chapters are short, sometimes only a few words long since they are all poems. These verses combine into a beautiful story that flows from one moment to the next. Also, they are a quick read and kind of perfect for all the different types of readers you will encounter. Novels in verse a great for reluctant readers because they feel short and unintimidating. They are great for avid readers as a novel in verse offers a different perspective and a different type of reading journey from the standard prose. A novel in verse is fantastic for dormant readers (once avid readers who no longer read for pleasure) to offer a shake up and something to reinvigorate their reading.
Missing Mike is such a timely and beautiful novel and deserves a space on your library/classroom/home bookshelves.
February 14, 2019
I really enjoyed this book especially the setting of the wildfires which dominated news for so long. This book brought home the feelings of lose and fear of lose that so many of us experience. I felt myself anxious with worry reliving my own fears of losing my dog and worrying I'd never see her again. Peppered by moments of kindness from friends and neighbours especially from those willing to risk their safety to help find her dog lighten the heaviness of this book. Your hope's are easily risen and dashed several times as you read but there is a feeling of elation for the good of humanity as you see people work together successfully during a crisis. The book being written in prose did not add anything to the book in my opinion but neither did it take away. It's a heartfelt read that is very suitable for the age group.
May 20, 2018
Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book- all opinions are my own.
"a large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush", 8 letters, W I L D F I R E
Being almost eleven can be difficult- especially if your family is in crisis. As wildfires approach, Cara's family is forced to leave their home behind, taking with them only what they can fit in their car. Having anticipated the evacuation, the family is mostly ready to go with only a few things left to gather. When Cara heads out to the car to stow these last items, she discovers that her beloved dog, Mike (named for Mike Wazowski) has disappeared from the yard. Despite her tears and begging to stay long enough to find him, her parents err on the side of caution and head to safety. Once at the evacuation center, Cara does everything she can think of to try to find Mike, but her efforts don't seem to be getting her closer to a reunion.
I enjoyed reading this story for several reasons. The first being that this is the first book I have read that addresses what it is like to be in the path of a wildfire. Over the last several years it seems that there are more and more instances of this type of devastation and I think it is important that literature reflect the world (at least sometimes). This reflection allows us to better understand what someone else may be dealing with, which is especially important for middle grade students who can't always put aside their own emotions to imagine what someone else may be living through. This book does a great job of describing the scariness, the sense of loss, the hope, and all of the other feelings that come with wildfires.
I generally love verse novels. I enjoyed this one as well, but didn't always feel that the format was helping the story. At times I was distracted by trying to suss out why the author chose to break out certain lines the way she did. While this may be a problem exclusive to my adult brain, I also know that some of my students struggle more when the verse format doesn't clearly emphasize or create meaning.
Overall, I liked this book and would absolutely recommend it to be included in any level of school library!
"a large, destructive fire that spreads quickly over woodland or brush", 8 letters, W I L D F I R E
Being almost eleven can be difficult- especially if your family is in crisis. As wildfires approach, Cara's family is forced to leave their home behind, taking with them only what they can fit in their car. Having anticipated the evacuation, the family is mostly ready to go with only a few things left to gather. When Cara heads out to the car to stow these last items, she discovers that her beloved dog, Mike (named for Mike Wazowski) has disappeared from the yard. Despite her tears and begging to stay long enough to find him, her parents err on the side of caution and head to safety. Once at the evacuation center, Cara does everything she can think of to try to find Mike, but her efforts don't seem to be getting her closer to a reunion.
I enjoyed reading this story for several reasons. The first being that this is the first book I have read that addresses what it is like to be in the path of a wildfire. Over the last several years it seems that there are more and more instances of this type of devastation and I think it is important that literature reflect the world (at least sometimes). This reflection allows us to better understand what someone else may be dealing with, which is especially important for middle grade students who can't always put aside their own emotions to imagine what someone else may be living through. This book does a great job of describing the scariness, the sense of loss, the hope, and all of the other feelings that come with wildfires.
I generally love verse novels. I enjoyed this one as well, but didn't always feel that the format was helping the story. At times I was distracted by trying to suss out why the author chose to break out certain lines the way she did. While this may be a problem exclusive to my adult brain, I also know that some of my students struggle more when the verse format doesn't clearly emphasize or create meaning.
Overall, I liked this book and would absolutely recommend it to be included in any level of school library!
May 10, 2018
I'm a 3.5, leaning toward a 4 for this novel in verse. Each summer there seem to be more and more wildfires that devastate the environment and destroy houses as smoke fills the air for miles around. I often think about what happens to the wildlife living in those areas or any family pets that might be left behind for one reason or the other. I cannot think of any other chapter book right now that thrusts readers into the lives of those who must leave their homes behind as the fires come close. The author captures the frantic and desperate evacuation process as there is little time to consider what to take or what to leave behind. For eleven-year-old Cara Donovan, it's a no-brainer that her beloved rescue dog, the one-eyed Mike Wazowski, would accompany the family as it flees from Pine Grove. but Mike has disappeared while Cara went inside the house for a few moments, and there is simply no time to look for him. Cara is devastated and feels guilty, eventually concocting a plan to return to the area before it's safe to do so. I loved how determined Cara is, making every possible effort to find her dog, and how he matters so much more to her than all the things her family has lost. From a evacuation shelter to staying with the Bains family to returning home, Cara explores the meaning of home for her and others. Although I loved the poetic language used to tell the story and should have stopped to savor some of it, I also had to race to the ending to see how things would turn out. Middle grade readers will enjoy this one for its story, its pace, the all-too-real drama between Cara and her older sister Sloane, and for its exploration of the aftermath of a disaster and how it's possible to rise above even the worst experiences. When something like this happens, things are never the same, and unexpected changes occur. Small wonder that Cara seeks some stability in her life.
February 1, 2019
Missing Mike is a verse novel about Cara and her one-eyed dog Mike Wazowski, who's named after the one-eyed monster from Monsters, Inc. Cara lives in an area threatened by wildfires. When they are given notice to evacuate, Mike runs into the woods, and they have to leave him behind. They move in with a temporary family and do volunteer work at the shelter. Through it all, Cara is determined to find her best friend, who just happens to be a dog.
I love verse novels because words are limited, so authors know they must make every word count. Green has a talent for making those short, punctuated sentences say far more than what's written. Her protagonist is a thinker. Here's an example of her thoughts while talking to a woman at the shelter.
"Even though she's a stranger
she feels like an ally
like a friend I didn't know I had.
Maybe all we have in common
is the need for a toothbrush
and a love
for animals
or maybe
there's more.
She knows what it's like
to leave
to run
to be away from home
and full of worry
and I bet
she's surprised as I am
that a terrible happening
can make strangers
feel like kin."
While working on a crossword puzzle, Cara is challenged to find another word for 'home.' After much contemplation, she realizes that home is not a physical place and holds different meanings for different people. For her, she can live anywhere, but if Mike is not with her, it's not home. I love that this short novel encourages you to think deeper than dogs and wildfires.
I love verse novels because words are limited, so authors know they must make every word count. Green has a talent for making those short, punctuated sentences say far more than what's written. Her protagonist is a thinker. Here's an example of her thoughts while talking to a woman at the shelter.
"Even though she's a stranger
she feels like an ally
like a friend I didn't know I had.
Maybe all we have in common
is the need for a toothbrush
and a love
for animals
or maybe
there's more.
She knows what it's like
to leave
to run
to be away from home
and full of worry
and I bet
she's surprised as I am
that a terrible happening
can make strangers
feel like kin."
While working on a crossword puzzle, Cara is challenged to find another word for 'home.' After much contemplation, she realizes that home is not a physical place and holds different meanings for different people. For her, she can live anywhere, but if Mike is not with her, it's not home. I love that this short novel encourages you to think deeper than dogs and wildfires.
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