When Robbie and his dog, Ellie, spend the summer at his grandmother Maddy’s house, Robbie revels in his grandmother’s easy, relaxed ways, such as eating doughnuts once for dinner. Robbie understands there’s something missing in his everyday life with his parents, but he doesn’t know what it is.

Maddy makes Robbie’s parents nervous, which is one of the reasons Robbie likes Maddy. He likes her stories and the way wild animals come right up to her, without any fear. Maddy helps Robbie find the truth of me. The truth has to do with something that happened to his mother a long time ago. And it helps Robbie realize what he’s really missing and gives him the confidence to make things right.

This poignant story from beloved author Patricia MacLachlan celebrates how our unique small truths make each of us magical and brave in our own ways.