One hundred and eighty-two days. That's how long thirteen-year-old Connor is stuck in a remote town in rural Australia while his mother does a teaching exchange. With his school online and no towns close enough to explore, Connor spends most of his time bored at home. Then one afternoon he goes on a bike ride and discovers a kangaroo on the road, killed by a car. When he looks closer, he's surprised to see her joey still alive in the pouch. Connor rushes the joey to a busy wildlife rescue for help, but the center is so overworked that Connor is tasked with nursing the little joey himself until it is strong enough to be released into the wild. It's a lot of responsibility, but Connor is determined to help the joey. This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading-level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don't like to read! Praise for Eric Walters: "Will tug at the heartstrings and tickle the funny bone.

This warm tale is definitely one for the keeper shelves. Highly recommended." --School Library Journal (SLJ), starred review for The King of Jam Sandwiches.