Missing Mike

A young Cara reflects on what home and friendship mean to her as she embarks on a dangerous journey to find her beloved dog, Mike, and as her family and others in her community are evacuated due to the wildfires raging in the area. Written in free verse, the panic and emotions of the young girl are portrayed with this unique use of language to tell the story. “Missing Mike” is suitable for students in Grades 3–9 and is appropriate as a read-aloud or for exploring poetry and different writing styles. The novel’s themes and storyline lend themselves well to discussions about wildfires, natural resources, as well as ideas for fostering social responsibility in the community.