When Rob's mother died several months ago, Rob and his father moved to a new town, where they live in the motel where his father works. Rob misses his mom—and wishes that his grief-stricken father would talk about her. At Rob's new school, things aren't much better—the bullies won't leave Rob alone, and the principal wants him to stay home from school. But then one day everything changes.

That's the day he meets the tough new girl, Sistine…and finds a caged tiger in the woods. When Rob shows Sistine the tiger, she wants him to set it free. Should he do it? How did it get there? And what will happen if he lets it out?

This National Book Award finalist is sure to touch readers' hearts!