The Junior Novelization by Martin Howard

The Junior Novelization by Martin Howard

Author:Martin Howard [Howard, Martin]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-7636-8955-1
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 2015-10-10T16:00:00+00:00


the window of Trumper’s van, still clutching Timmy’s teddy, his heart sinking as the van reversed through the entrance of the Animal Containment Center. Above the gate, a jolly sign showed happy animals playing in a sunny field. It was the only colorful thing Shaun could see. The building was a grim and gray prison, surrounded by wire fences. Fixed to walls and fence posts, security cameras turned slowly, watching every centimeter of the compound.

The van stopped. Shaun blinked as the back doors opened and sunlight streamed in. Nearby, a door buzzed. Trumper dragged him out and into the main building, past cages full of animals. A fierce-looking rottweiler clutched metal bars, “BARK” and “BITE” tattooed across his paws. A poodle lay back, bench-pressing a barbell. From the corner of his eye, Shaun saw a cat with a cone around her neck sniff the air and hiss. Farther along, a tortoise slowly scratched a mark on the wall. Shaun noticed there were hundreds of marks already. A goldfish leaned against the glass wall of its bowl, playing a mournful tune on its harmonica.

At last, Trumper stopped, keys clinking, in front of a small cell containing two bunks. Shaun’s eyes widened in fear. The cell was already occupied. A dim figure was slumped in the shadows, face to the wall.

With a clank and a metallic whine, the door opened. Shaun’s pleading bleat was cut off when Trumper shoved him in and slammed the door. After twisting the key in the lock, the Animal Containment Officer strode away with a triumphant smirk.

Shaun turned back to the dim figure with a gulp. The figure stayed where it was, growling quietly.

Shaun squinted and gave a start, bleating in shocked surprise. The figure stepped into the light, rubbing his growling tummy.

Shaun stared at Bitzer. Bitzer stared back at Shaun.

Shaun couldn’t help noticing that the sheepdog did not look pleased to see him. In fact, he seemed downright peeved, shooting Shaun grim looks and muttering to himself. Remembering that if it hadn’t been for his big day-off plan everyone would be safely back at Mossy Bottom Farm, Shaun shuffled his feet, embarrassed. He threw himself onto the spare bunk, watching as Bitzer paced the cell. By now, the sheepdog was woofing angrily. If it weren’t for Shaun . . .

On his bunk, Shaun sighed and stared out through the bars, then gasped in surprise. In the cage opposite was a face he knew — a face that was slightly lopsided. It belonged to the little dog he had seen being dragged away by Trumper at the bus station. Shaun smiled at her.

The dog, named Slip, gave him a crooked smile in return.

Bitzer was still woofing angrily. Shaun turned and bleated. It wasn’t all his fault. He had only been trying to give the sheep a nice day off. . . .

The sheepdog interrupted with a bark. Shaun had come up with some crazy plans before, but this one had landed the whole farm in trouble — especially the Farmer.



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