Forest's First Home

Gr 3–5—Olive didn't expect to stumble across a boy living in the woods when she was chasing her dog, but she and this "wild child," Forest, become fast friends. Her dad says Forest can stay with them on the condition that Olive teaches him how to live in a house and behave correctly before her grandmother comes to visit at the end of the week. Olive sets out to show Forest how everything in the house operates and how to be civilized. He tries to get the hang of it all, but it's not so easy. He would rather sleep perched on top of a bookcase instead of in a bed, and he misunderstands how to use toothpaste, smearing it all over himself. Olive's brother Ryan isn't too helpful, either, undermining her efforts by encouraging Forest to play football in the house. Hilarity ensues when Gam Gam visits. Illustrations throughout aid in telling the story.