Joe Backer

When Sam Steele Junior gets a term paper assignment on a visit by the Soviet Premier to the Midwest in the late 1950s he's less than enthused. But when he learns it may lead to treasure, the Junior Detective Agency is on the adventure of a lifetime.

The story is about a 12 year old girl who loses her mother in an automobile accident. Her father struggles with the loss of his wife and trying to raise his young daughter who believes her father is partly responsible for her mother's death. Belle's maternal grandfather is a changed man since losing his daughter in the accident. He finds it difficult to have a relationship with Belle since she is a constant reminder of her mother. It is Atticus the new puppy who will change Belle's life and the lives of those who love her

Overjoyed with having a cute new pet in her life, sixth-grader Mary starts using puppies to try and spark romance between lonely adults.