I could not put this book down!! I was so enthralled in the book that my teachers probably were not happy to see me reading when they were trying to get class started. This was a very easy read but at the same time I wanted to make sure I got everything out of the story. These characters gave life lessons here and there and they were sometimes discreet. Opal is a character that many people old and young can relate too. I can relate to her but not in the most obvious ways. I have never moved from my town let alone my house, i haven't had a death or someone leave me, and I never had a pet. However i did switch school systems and i was alone and sad when i entered my new school. Opal made the best of her situation and went out and met this amazing dog and people in town. Every character shared special place in my heart as i was reading. Each one has there own problems but they all come together and are able to work through them. They lean on each other for support. Opal at first was skeptical of the kids her age but eventually through the support of Gloria she opened up to them and realized no one has a perfect life. Everyone needs love and we should always be there and wanting to spread our love to them. There are so many more lessons that one can learn in this book but this is the one that really hit home for me. I think this book has hit my top ten list!!!