Oh, My Word!

By Donna Boock

When Zander's parents open an animal clinic in the mountains of Pennsylvania, Zander must start fifth grade miles from everything he knows. With the help of his dog Bowden and a few new friends, Zander feels like his new home might be okay. That is, until he gets his first school project- choosing a word to describe himself and inspire him be more. Zander, blurts out, "Boomerang." He worries he's fumbled the assignment and wonders if Pennsylvania will ever feel like home.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Indigo Books LLC
• Release date: Feb 27, 2024
• ISBN: 9781951546274

Book preview

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Contents

1.Rebound

2.Justice

3.Friend

4.Always Enough

5.Stand-Up

6.No Limits

7.Curious

8.Come Back

9.Brave

10.Rock-Solid

The End

Choose Your Word!

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About the Author

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Chapter 1

Rebound

Animals don’t know a weekend from a weekday.

This fact kept Zander at his family’s clinic for sick or injured animals all week long and on weekends too. Would he rather be playing football? Sometimes, but it was okay. The animals needed help, so even on Saturday and Sunday afternoons when the rest of the world tuned into their favorite team’s game, Zander tuned into caring for recovering animals. He loved the feeling he got from being part of the team that brought them back to health.

This Sunday felt a little different though. A worry grew inside Zander, like a football spiraling and swirling inside his rib cage.

Sure, Zander had started at a new school before. But, after living in sunny Florida for three years, he'd gotten used to his family’s place there. He’d had three full years of having the same friends. Three years of having a best friend, one who loved animals and football as much as Zander did.

But the animals in the mountains of northeast Pennsylvania needed his parents, and him too, he guessed. So, the Lucas Family sold their Florida home, traded their beachy life, said goodbye to Uncle Jay and the friends who had made Florida feel like home and headed for the hills of Pennsylvania.

Zander snapped a fresh carrot into pieces and slid them into his pocket. He headed to recovery room number one where he knew Riley would be waiting for him.

Hey there, Funny Bunny, he said, and Riley twitched her pink nose at him by way of reply. Zander thought she looked better today than yesterday.

He liked her from the moment she arrived. Riley seemed to like him back, too. Maybe it had something to do with the carrots? Or maybe Riley was his first Pennsylvania friend. He opened the cage and Riley hopped over to him. She nuzzled his hand.

Look at you! You’re hopping around, Zander said, carefully picking her up and placing her on the exam table. Riley took the opportunity to nudge his pocket in search of the treat she was sure he had. He gave her one piece of the broken-up carrot.

Zander couldn’t be certain, but he thought it seemed like Riley liked listening to him talk. She had the ears to be a great listener. She was a Dutch breed, known for her long ears and sore feet. It was the sore feet that brought her into the newly opened animal clinic a few days ago. So, Zander did exactly that. He talked to her like she was an old friend.

Do you think I’ll make some new friends at this school? Zander asked while stroking the soft fur on her back. She nudged his hand again, as if to say, I’ll tell you for another carrot. This made Zander laugh.

You little rascal, Riley rabbit! You just don’t give up, do you? He reached into his pocket and took out a second carrot piece.

You know, you should tell me the answer without worrying what’s in it for you. He tapped her twitching nose softly. Haven’t you heard that you get what you give?

Just then, Zander’s mom came into the room. Hey there, sport. How’s my favorite junior animal nurse?