Underdog City

August 21, 2023
Nothing in 12-year-old white-cued Mortimer Bray’s beloved home of Townsend Heights has felt the same since elderly Mrs. Opal—the community council president and Mortimer’s good friend—moved away and passed the title on to Mortimer’s mother. Even worse, though, was the death of his pup following an incident while on their regular walk. Now, Mortimer is too anxious to continue with the dog-walking business he founded with his best friend, and he hasn’t spoken to Mrs. Opal in a long time. A Puerto Rican family moving into the house next door with their pet rooster, who crows loudly every morning at 5 a.m., further upends life in Townsend, as does the knowledge that the history behind a nearby vacant lot is spreading apprehension throughout the community. Things begin looking up for Mortimer when he persuades Will, the visiting granddaughter of his new neighbors, to help him investigate the property, but overheard, racially charged conversations about her family sow tension around town. Mortimer’s anxiety is powerfully portrayed and realistically permeates every aspect of his life. Kind community members, both human and dog, help him manage his constantly racing thoughts and support him during his grieving process in this discerning celebration of connection and healing. Ages 8–12.

September 15, 2023
Determined tweens save their neighborhood from greed, unwise development, and discrimination. Twelve-year-old Mortimer Bray's beloved dog, Trevor, got away from him on a walk and was killed. His neighbor and mentor, Ms. Opal, who is Black, has entered a nursing home. Mortimer struggles with anxiety, which is manifesting as increasingly frequent "freeze-ups." His science teacher dad and lawyer mom (the new Townsend Heights council head) are bickering. Mortimer gave his successful dog-walking business to his friend Frankie, who invites him to come along, but due to Trevor's accident, the idea fills Mortimer with dread. New Puerto Rican neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Cortez have a rooster who crows early every morning, and a granddaughter, Will, who's visiting; she and Mortimer build a friendship after a rocky start. Meanwhile aggressive, xenophobic neighbor Mr. Brewster is campaigning to turn locals against the Cortezes and their rooster. Mr. Brewster also proposes developing a nearby vacant lot that has a connection to Ms. Opal's family, and he frames it as raising the tone of the neighborhood. Text boxes with local ordinances and Mortimer's "secret files" provide background on community action. The first-person narrative starts off slowly but builds momentum as Mortimer regains his self-confidence, learns about Townsend Heights' history, and works with friends both young and old on a counterproposal. Mortimer, who reads white, sometimes seems stodgy but is well meaning and wise beyond his years, and animal antics provide comic relief. A meaningful exploration of young people's involvement in community activism. (Fiction. 10-13)

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