Brock

A teenager and his intellectually disabled older brother rescue an injured dog and a young badger from a trio of vicious bullies in this first of four interconnected episodes. In this wrenching, accessibly written tale, their father's inability to stay employed or sober in the wake of their mother's departure has thrown Kenny--who was oxygen-deprived at birth--and Nicky, his protective younger brother, into an ongoing struggle just to get by. Sneering older teen Jezbo and twin punks Rich and Rob send Tina, the twins' Jack Russell terrier, into a badger's sett, resulting in her being savagely wounded. The boys then beat an old badger to death and abandon Tina. Kenny runs off in shock, but Nicky brings home both the dog and a baby badger left trapped in the bullies' net. Before setting out to search for the baby's mother, Nicky cautions his brother that he mustn't tell anyone, or Jezbo and his gang will return. But Kenny, who has joyfully adopted both animals, proves incapable of keeping the secret, and a confrontation becomes inevitable. The timely arrival of Kenny and Nicky's father, who's at last showing signs of recovery, narrowly heads off further violence and allows the story to end on a rising note, which is highlighted by a badger family reunion. Aside from a friend of Kenny's named Samit, the entire English cast reads as white. Natural dialogue and short, fast-paced chapters will sustain readers' interest. An absorbing read. (Fiction. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.