The Twelve Pets of Christmas

This cozy pet adoption–themed title is one of two books launching the Celebrate the Season series of holiday novels. Quinn Cooper, a resourceful middle schooler, is selling hand-painted ornaments to raise money for a local animal shelter, which is holding a “Twelve Pets of Christmas” adoption drive. While many of the pets are being adopted quickly, that isn’t true of Quinn’s favorite dog, a mutt named Buddy. Though Quinn believes she has found him the perfect family, they can’t afford to care for him—unless Quinn finds a solution. Garland fosters a warm sense of community surrounding the shelter, including bookstore owners who temporarily foster a cat family in a window display. Though the book hits the message about supporting animal shelters a bit hard, Quinn’s devotion to matching pets with the right homes is heartwarming. Available simultaneously: Secret Snowflake. Ages 8–12. (Oct.)