Friendship Forever #10

Tyra's family has been flooded out of their home and must stay with friends — stressful enough — and then Dale, the hosts' son, takes an immediate dislike to the magical Akita puppy Storm who has befriended Tyra. Sue Bentley works the displacement and belonging themes with more emotional resonance than the series formula might suggest. The Magic Puppy series has sold over two million English-language copies, and installment ten delivers what the series promises: accessible chapter-book length, light fantasy, and a warmhearted animal bond. Completely family-safe. The honest note is that this is formula-driven and the ongoing Storm storyline assumes familiarity with earlier books. For an emerging reader who loves animals and is already in the series, a solid pick; as a standalone starting point for a new reader, begin closer to book one.