Hurry Home, Candy

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with a deep sense of vulnerability or expressing an intense empathy for the defenseless. It is an ideal choice for the child who worries about safety and belonging, or who is perhaps undergoing a transition like moving that makes them feel untethered. This Newbery Honor classic follows the journey of Candy, a small dog who becomes lost and must navigate a world that is often cold and indifferent. Through his eyes, readers explore the profound ache of loneliness and the slow, fragile process of learning to trust again. While the story contains moments of hardship and survival, its ultimate purpose is to validate a child's deep-seated need for a 'safe place' and the courage it takes to hope. The prose is lyrical and rhythmic, capturing the internal world of a creature who lacks language but possesses immense feeling. It is a quiet, contemplative read that encourages patience and compassion, making it a soothing yet emotionally resonant experience for sensitive readers aged 8 to 12.