Sable.

New York, NY Henry Holt & Company, 1994. Hardcover First Edition [1994]; Third Printing. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY AUTHOR on Bookplate at front paste-down end paper. Very Near Fine in Fine DJ: Book shows only barely discernible spine lean and a hint of shelfwear along the bottom edge; binding remains perfectly secure; text clean. DJ unclipped; mylar-protected. Virtually 'As New'. NOT a Remainder. NOT a Book-Club Edition. NOT an Ex-Library copy. 8vo. 81pp. Gr. 2-4. (Redfeather Books). First Edition [1994]; Third Printing. Hardback with DJ. A starving dog is the catalyst that propels Tate, 10, toward adulthood. Plot and characterization effortlessly evolve through her narration, which is as honest and direct as the character herself. Her simple language is filled with images of rural New England. She describes her struggle to keep the stray, which begins as soon as the exhausted animal appears on her porch. Even though her mother is terrified of dogs, Tate quickly wraps her life around her new-found pet, whose ears are as soft as sable. However, the canine's wandering ways and stealing bring complaints from neighbors. Mam demands that Sable leave, and Pap finds her a good home with Doc Winston, whose land is surrounded by a high stone fence. Desolate but determined to win Sable back, Tate designs, buys the materials for, and builds her own fence. Weeks later, she visits Doc Winston and learns that the animal has disappeared. With the loss of Sable, Tate's focus shifts to helping her family; in turn, her father accepts her as an apprentice in his woodworking shop. An exceptional dog story-with a happy ending- whose length and pencil illustrations, one per chapter, make it attractive to young readers. A rewarding early reader. INSCRIBED AND SIGNED BY AUTHOR.