Lois Lowry 
Stay! 

Born between a board fence and a set of trash cans, the hero of this absorbing novel by Newbery Medalist Lois Lowry is a lowly stray dog. Abandoned at an early age by his mother and separated from his siblings, he faces every challenge with his nose upturned and his lustrous tail held high. His journey out of puppyhood, during which he becomes the loyal companion to a homeless man, discovers an ear for poetry, and meets his match in his brutal rival, Scar, is a story of perseverance in a world of danger and unexpected opportunity. But through it all, he cannot forget his frail little sister, Wispy, and he does not rest until he finds her again. Told with humor and keen insight into both canine and human behavior, the story of this proud survivor will delight dog-lovers and adventure-lovers alike.