I read the first five chapters and wasn't getting into it. The writing is a little dull, but a true animal-lover might respond to the main character's wish to be a veterinarian.

One picky thing: The island in Washington State where Poppy goes to stay with her uncle is fictional, but I was still confused when she described the water surrounding the island as "the ocean." Poppy takes a ferry from Seattle to the island, so she's not going to be in the ocean at all. She'd be in Puget Sound. Banerjee's bio said she lives on Bainbridge Island, so I was surprised that she was off on this detail.

I'm on a hunt for excellent books, so I'm not going to finish this. ( )

Washington state summer adventure for a young girl who wants to be a vet. It's pretty great. ( )

Delightful and got me out of my slump.Adults should read this. ( )

I enjoyed this story of a little girl who really wants to become a veterinarian. Poppy stays with her uncle and learns what running a clinic for animals might really be like - the good and the bad. I wanted to like it more! But I just wasn't that engaged with the story. (I'm going to hear the author speak next month which may change that a bit.) I would recommend this book to students interested in becoming veterinarians, those who love animals, and kids who like realistic fiction. ( )

Easy realistic fiction story that follows Poppy to her Uncle's cabin on an island off Washington state's coast. Poppy longs to become a veterinarian, but after shadowing her uncle, realizes that it is not as easy as she once thought. Will she change her dreams, or will she be able to face her fears? ( )