piA charming, classic adventure tale about the scary, crazy, and heart-thumpingly joyful plunge into connecting with othersip pA mute, nameless foxhound has spent her life in a laboratory cage. She has never seen the sun. When she gets rescued, Dottie, a diva ladybug with a heart as big as her hat, helps the dog understand the world and find a home with Olivia, a restless, solitary girl seeking comfort that her new pet cannot supply.p pThe isolated dog and the hesitant girl must face their fear of connecting. They learn to tame each other, let go, survive adventures, and find the courage to trust as they search for their place in the sun. p piThe Nearly Calamitous Taming of PZi-- lyrical and approachable, with resonant details--has both humor and heart. Although intended for children eight through twelve, its classic unfolding and off-beat characters tickle the fancy of adults as well. It is both an adventure story and a tale with many layers--about overcoming obstacles, mining experie