A tender, sweet, and hilarious novel about growing up with a loving family and a perfectly rambunctious dog, from an author who "has set the standard of brilliance" (Horn Book). When she was eight, Binny's life was perfect: She had her father's wonderful stories and Max, the best dog ever. But after her father's sudden death, money is tight, and Aunty Violet decides to give Max away--he is just too big for their cramped new life...