Under the Lilacs

Twelve-year-old Ben Brown runs away from the circus with his dog Sancho to try to find his missing father. His search takes a detour when he meets the Moss family, young sisters Bab and Betty along with their mother, whose quiet lives are a welcome refuge to Ben, as he continues to worry about his father and is used to the chaotic atmosphere of the circus. Ben’s work on a nearby farm challenges him, but the slow pace makes him miss the excitement of his old life. When a crisis hits Ben and Sancho, he begins to wonder if he can ever truly fit into his new life. 320 pages, softcover. Ages 8 and up.