Laurie Halse Anderson’s middle grade novella, Vet Volunteers: Say Good-Bye is a sensitively written story dealing with serious subject matter. The book is one in a series of stories about young people aged 11-12 who volunteer at a veterinary hospital. Each of the stories highlights one of the volunteers and his/her interactions with animals in stressful situations.


Say Good-Bye: The Story

Zoe lives with Dr. Mac, her veterinarian grandmother, while her mother tries to build an acting career in California. Zoe’s cousin, Maggie, also lives with Dr. Mac, and the girls constantly argue. Maggie thinks Zoe is spoiled and Zoe thinks Maggie is frivolous. To make matters worse, Zoe’s new puppy, Sneakers, is frustrating! He pees in the house and won’t do anything Zoe tells him to do.

The best thing about living with Dr. Mac is that Zoe volunteers at her animal hospital. She forms a close bond with shih tzu Yum Yum and his owner, Jane. Yum Yum is special – he’s a visiting therapy dog. Zoe accompanies Yum Yum and Jane on a visit to a children’s hospital. There, she witnesses how this adorable pet brings joy to seriously ill children.

Then the unthinkable happens: Yum Yum is diagnosed with an incurable form of cancer. Author Anderson writes sensitively about how Zoe deals with the inevitable outcome of this devastating disease and how it affects her relationships with her puppy and cousin.

The plot is strong, weaving together conflicts on several levels:
• Zoe’s yearning to be reunited with her mother
• Friction between Zoe and Maggie
• Frustration with Sneakers
• Yum-Yum’s illness
• Interaction with child victims of cancer


Characters

Zoe is a well-developed, strong central character. Her sense of empathy is well-defined in the book in episodes involving her interaction with Jane during a grieving process, as well as her concern for an especially depressed young cancer victim. She experiences a good deal of emotional growth, learning to deal with loss and gaining patience and a purpose when she realizes her own puppy is a terrific candidate for visiting pet therapy.

Maggie, also, is well-rounded. Though she appears spiteful and mean in the early parts of the book, making fun of her newly arrived cousin, she proves to be a great help to Zoe when she needs it most.

Jane and Dr. Mac provide the adult guidance in the story, and each plays a significant role. Dr. Mac is a strong character who handles situations head-on, but with kindness. Jane is multi-faceted, going from a strong role-model for Zoe to someone who then leans upon the girl for emotional support.

In the end, though, it’s Zoe who takes control of her own destiny and that of her puppy. Her actions make the life of the depressed cancer victim happier. And a whole new world of possibilities opens up for Sneakers, the heir apparent to Yum Yum.


Educational Aspects

Say Good-Bye has a strong story, but it also teaches in a painless manner. Anderson’s research is credibly interwoven into the plot on a number of issues:
• Effects of and treatment of cancer in people and dogs
• Basic dog training
• Role of visiting therapy pets
• Veterinary procedures (IVs, biopsies, chemotherapy, etc.)
• Loss of and grieving for pets

In an appendix, “Dr. Mac” writes a 5-page explanation of how animals become therapy pets and the work that they do. A short test helps the reader decide if his/her pet would make a suitable therapy pet.

This book is appropriate for 9 to 12 year-olds. At 132 pages, it’s easy to read, with short chapters. While it deals with emotional and possibly disturbing issues, it does so in a sensitive manner that will move young readers but not overly upset them.


Final Analysis

Vet Volunteers: Say Good-Bye is an engaging and educational book. I would recommend it highly for any middle grade reader who enjoys animal stories or has an interest in veterinary medicine. It’s a quick read and has positive emotional impact.

So far, there are six stories in the Vet Volunteer series for young readers. They do not need to be read in sequence, however – Say Good-Bye is fifth in the series. Every book stands as an independent story, though each features the same child volunteers. I’m anxious to complete the entire series and pass these wonderful little stories on to my nieces!


________________________
The complete Vet Volunteers series to date:
Fight for Life
Homeless
Say Good-Bye
Trickster
Manatee Blues
Storm Rescue


Recommended: Yes