The Leanin' Dog

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with a paralyzing fear, a deep sense of loneliness, or the aftermath of a family tragedy. Set in a snowy mountain cabin, the story follows young Dessa Dean, who is too afraid to step outside her front door following the death of her mother. When a wounded, skittish dog appears on her porch, Dessa discovers that her desire to care for another creature is the only thing stronger than her own trauma. This historical novel explores the quiet, steady work of healing from grief and agoraphobia. It is ideal for middle-grade readers who appreciate a slow, atmospheric story about the transformative power of the human-animal bond. While it touches on heavy themes of loss, the narrative is deeply comforting and emphasizes that bravery does not mean the absence of fear, but rather moving forward in spite of it.