Searching For The Best

Following the tragic death of her father, 12-year-old Penny Robbins searches for the best in her life, without much success. But through the love of her mother, friends, and a surprise rescue dog, she realizes she's truly had the best all along; she only needed to look what was right in front of her all the time.

When twelve-year-old Penny Robbins' beloved father dies, her seventh-grade year is marked by sadness and pain. Her mother Janice and her close friends — Travis, Mandy, Brianna, Jana, and Elias — try to help her cope with the loss, but Penny keeps searching for something worthwhile in her life. She keeps searching for what she calls "the best." It seems like all the kids at school have a best: a best friend, a best parent, a best house or car, a best vacation, even a best pet. Penny thinks she might have found a perfect, best dog at a local shelter, but is utterly disappointed when her mother chooses a different dog. He is muddy looking, has a ragged ear, a crooked nose, and a wild tuft of hair that stands up from the middle of his large head. He certainly is not the best; in fact, Penny thinks he is the worst. How could this dog ever help her with anything troubling her? Never underestimate the love of a seemingly unlovable dog!

Vicki Burris Risbeck is a life-long educator who has lived in the Columbus, Ohio area her whole life. Serving in many educational capacities for the last forty-five years, she has been an elementary school teacher, middle school language arts teacher, school counselor, principal, superintendent, and university adjunct professor at three universities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Capital University, a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from The Ohio State University, and a doctorate degree in Educational Theory and Practice, with an emphasis on reading and children's literature, also from The Ohio State University. Her first book, A Lens View~Family debuted in June, 2021.