What A Goat
Eliza's pet goat Gerdy is her best friend. Her family got Gerdy when Eliza was only two years old because Eliza wasn't growing well and the family decided that goat's milk would make Eliza stronger. In two years, Eliza WAS stronger, bigger and healthier, and now she had a great new pal.
Eliza loves Gerdy so much and spends time with her every day but lately Gerdy is causing a lot of problems. She has climbed on the car, eaten the neighbor's laundry, apples, and sunflowers, and chewed her rope in pieces. Eliza's dad says "that goat has got to go" and he means it this time. He has lost his job and the family simply can't afford to keep Gerdy since she no longer supplies them with milk.
Eliza is crushed but knows her dad is serious so she sets out to try to find a good home for her precious pet. She and Gerdy walk all over town for a week but with no success. Everyone is very sorry, but no one wants or can handle a goat.
Finally, Eliza's dad calls a family meeting and explains that Gerdy must be "put to sleep." When Eliza discovers what that means, she decides to run away with Gerdy to save her. That night Eliza and Gerdy sneak away and camp by a creek. In the morning, Gerdy races out of the shed they stayed in and leads Eliza to the creek where a boy is drowning. They save him as the boy's family and Eliza's family both come running. When the boy's family realizes that Gerdy is the true hero they insist that Gerdy come live at their house. The best part is that the boy's family is Eliza's next door neighbor! "What a Goat" is a touching story about a child and her pet.
It is easy to read and understand and most children from second grade on up will be able to read this book independently with little help needed. It is a bit hard to learn the intended fate of Gerdy, so stay close at hand to answer any questions your child might have.
