Mila

Mila is the main character and narrator of this novel. She is a 12-year-old who goes along with her father to America to visit his oldest friend. Just before they leave for their visit the friend, Matthew, leaves his home. Mila believes that they are going to help find Matthew and reconnect him with his family. The trip turns out to be a learning and growing experience as Mila learns how complicated adults can make their lives.

When Mila was born her father chose to name her after his father’s dead Bedlington terrier. Mila believes she shares some traits with the dog. She is determined, resourceful, can recognize people by their smell and has a keen awareness of her surroundings. Mila also describes herself as having the ability to read people’s emotions and piece together their lives using nonverbal clues like body language and clothing.

When...