Gaby, Lost and Found

Gaby Ramirez Howard volunteers at an animal shelter while dealing with major changes in her life after her mother's deportation to Honduras. Living with her father, who shows little interest in caring for her, Gaby finds comfort in helping cats and dogs find permanent homes. At school, Gaby works on a class project about animal rescue and starts writing adoption advertisements for shelter animals. She forms a special connection with a cat named Feather who, like herself, needs a stable home and family. Through her experiences at the shelter and at home, Gaby confronts issues of belonging, family separation, and the meaning of home. The story presents themes of resilience and hope while addressing contemporary immigration issues through the eyes of a young person.

Readers appreciate how the book handles complex themes like immigration, animal welfare, and family separation in a way that remains accessible to middle-grade students. Parents and teachers note that it prompts meaningful discussions with children about deportation and its impact on families. Many reviews highlight the authentic portrayal of Gaby's emotions and her relationship with shelter animals. Teachers report their students connect with Gaby's resilience and determination. Some readers found certain plot resolutions too neat and convenient. A few mentioned the supporting characters could have been more developed. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (90+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Sample reader comment: "My students were deeply invested in Gaby's story. It helped them understand their classmates who have similar family situations." - 5th grade teacher on Goodreads "The animal shelter storyline provides a perfect balance to the heavier immigration themes." - Parent reviewer on Amazon

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🐱 Gaby's strong connection to shelter animals in the story mirrors author Angela Cervantes' own dedication to animal rescue - she has volunteered at animal shelters for many years. 📚 The book addresses the real and growing issue of family separation due to immigration enforcement, with over 5,000 children entering foster care in the US between 2017-2018 because of parental deportation. 🌟 Angela Cervantes wrote this novel while participating in a writing fellowship at the Ragdale Foundation, an artists' retreat that has hosted over 2,000 creators since 1976. 🏆 The book was selected for the 2014-2015 Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award Master List and received recognition from the International Latino Book Awards. 🗣️ The story incorporates Spanish words and phrases throughout the text, reflecting the authentic bilingual experience of many Mexican-American children and promoting cultural awareness among young readers.