“I CREPT BACK TO THE GLOBE. I LAY IN THE GRASS, MY EYES FIXED ON THE FIGURES INSIDE. I CONCENTRATED HARD. I WISH…I WISH…I WISH MIKE COULD COME BACK. I WISH, REALLY WISH, I COULD HAVE MY OLD LIFE AGAIN”
“The five crows were perched along the hydro wire that ran from the road. The largest one seemed to be in command, cawing orders, flapping his wings like he was lining up the others. When a figure rolled into the driveway on a rusty bicycle, the crow squawked and bobbed his head and had the others do the same.
Zach’s face was flushed. He was huffing, and even afar I could see the wild look in his eyes. I yapped louder. Run, Zach, run.
When Zach neared the house, he threw the bike to the ground. He glanced behind, ran up the porch steps, unlocked the door and slipped inside. Quickly, he slammed the door and locked it again.
“Shush, Coop!” He tossed his backpack to the floor. “If we’re quiet, maybe they’ll just go away.”
Early Praise for Coop for Keeps
“…a spellbinding story of finding family, surviving loss, and standing up to bullies. A highly recommended, five star read.”
- Jodi Carmichael, award winning author of The U-nique Lou Fox, Family of Spies, and others.
“A plot full of adventure, conflict and intriguing characters…Young readers will identify with the problems and insecruities fourteen-year-old Zach faces and animal lovers will delight in the way a loyal dog, a temperamental cat, and a flock of fascinating crows figure into the captivating story.”
-MaryLou Driedger, author of Lost on the Prairie and Sixties Girl.
“Larry Verstraete captures the voice of the underdog in his heart-warming sequel to Coop the Great. A book sure to appeal to dog-lovers and kids of all ages.”
- Gabriele Goldstone, author of Crow Stone and Tainted Amber.
“With elegance and grace, Larry Verstraete teaches young readers that no problem is insurmountable - especially when they have a spunky dachshund to show them what’s important. Addressing real-world issues, Coop’s solution and example stand the test of time.”
- Harriet Zaidman, award winning author of Second Chances and City on Strike
Coop for Keeps
2018 / Larry Verstraete
Published by Great Plains Press
ISBN 978-1-77337-1139 (softcover)
ISBN 978-1-77337-1146 (ebook)