12-year-old Lily lives with her father, who has been suspended from the police force, and her stepmother. Her parents sell Lily's aging dog to Mr. Teban for dog meat. Lily convinces Mr. Teban to return her dog, then begins a friendship with the dog-meat seller, much to the disgust of her family and friends. Mr. Teban becomes her surrogate father, and supports Lily against her abusive father and ineffectual stepmother.—Will Gilbert