Hazel Helps Out — Dori Hillestad Butler

Can Hazel find a new home, a place for herself, and a way to contribute to the family doggy daycare business?Nine-year-old Hazel and her mother are facing some big changes. Grandma has been running Dog Days, a dog day care, all by herself for a long time, but now she needs some help—help that she doesn’t really want to accept. Fortunately, Mom’s best friend Amanda and her kids, KC and Jonah, live nearby. Amanda and Mom dreamed of running the business when they grew up. That time could be coming.Hazel and Mom arrive for a visit that might turn into a long-term stay. First, they have to figure out what’s going on. It’s hard to get prickly Grandma to tell them anything, about the business or her health. There are a lot of dogs to keep track of, including Houdini, who keeps them on their toes by repeatedly escaping. Hazel knows KC and Jonah, but they aren’t friends—at least not yet. And Hazel’s elderly dog Spot is having a hard time keeping up with the younger, more active dogs.Mom and Amanda don’t want to tell Grandma about Houdini. Grandma doesn’t want to tell Mom and Amanda the truth about her health. All Hazel knows is that she doesn’t like keeping secrets. If only there was a way to get everyone, young and old, to work together.