Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, October 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 19))
After the Vietnam-veteran uncle he lives with dies, anonymous messages appear in Gabe's mailbox that scare but intrigue the orphaned 12-year-old boy. Then the body disappears. Gabe keeps silent out of fear of being returned to foster care. Flashbacks to life with Uncle Vernon; growing awareness of his uncle's combat experiences; a beloved dog; assurances from the correspondent; and the eventual discovery of the body help Gabe find courage, develop greater self-understanding and finally result in his finding happiness and family. Shafer's narrative is heartfelt, earnest and moving at times and conveys the power of memory to help heal wounds. It also strains credulity-Gabe's secretly fending for himself as long as he does, for example-and some plot details seem too convenient. Moreover, the central question is never answered: How did the secret writer-who turns out to be the corpse robber-know Vernon died? Still, Gabe's likable and the mystery is intriguing and will keep kids guessing. 2006, Delacorte, 192p, $15.95. Category: Fiction. Ages 10 to 14. © 2006 Kirkus Reviews/VNU eMedia, Inc. All rights reserved.

Deborah Stevenson (The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, December 2006 (Vol. 60, No. 4))
When Gabe finds his uncle Vernon dead, he’s afraid to tell anyone; Vernon has been the sixth-grader’s guardian for the last three years, and Gabe fears that he’ll be sent back into foster care, forsaking the stability he’s finally found. As Gabe struggles to keep things together at home and school and to keep his secret from coming out, he finds he has a mysterious benefactor, who removes Vernon’s body, gives Gabe a dog for company, and leaves him supportive notes in the mailbox, all the while refusing to meet him face to face. Anxious little Gabe, young for his years, is depicted with touching authenticity, and his reaction to his uncle’s death is credibly played out. It’s also believable that the situation allows Gabe to reflect on his unstated affection for his uncle, a crusty, untutored Vietnam vet who grew roughly fond of the boy thrust into his charge, and the suspense about the identity of the person leaving Gabe notes adds interest. There’s an adult overlay to much of the story, though, between the largely unexplained literary references (Of Mice and Men, Call of the Wild) and the backstory about Vernon and his troopmates’ Vietnam experience, which needs a fair amount of historical knowledge for real understanding; the resolution to the situation tips into predictability and convenience, with a kind teacher taking to Gabe and adopting him. What remains nonetheless memorable, is the picture of Gabe, hoping that Vernon knew how much Gabe loved him and trying to keep life with Vernon from disappearing; it’s a survival story in emotional as well as physical terms, and readers will sympathize with Gabe in his predicament. Review Code: Ad -- Additional book of acceptable quality for collections needing more material in the area. (c) Copyright 2006, The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 2006, Delacorte, 178p., $17.99 and $15.95. Grades 6-9.

Horn Book (The Horn Book Guide, Spring 2007)
When twelve-year-old Gabe's uncle Vernon (a Vietnam veteran and Gabe's sole guardian) dies, the boy keeps Vernon's death a secret and tries to manage on his own. He is assisted by a mysterious, unseen well-wisher who communicates by notes. Despite some overwritten prose and a tacked-on ending, this character study is original and convincing. Category: Intermediate Fiction. 2006, Delacorte, 178pp, 15.95, 17.99. Ages 9 to 12. Rating: 4: Recommended, with minor flaws.

Marsha Harper (The Lorgnette-Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 19, No. 4))
Shafer, a first-time novelist, has written one of the most touching stories around of love, loss, and making connections. Gabe, a twelve-year-old boy who has grown up in a series of foster homes, comes home from his first day of sixth grade to find his uncle, his only living relative, dead on the floor of their secluded house. Gabe has lived with him only two and a half years, but he loves the irascible, reclusive Viet Nam vet with his crude, colorful language. Frozen with fear and heartache, he does nothing and tells no one. The next day, he goes to school as usual, and when he comes home, the body is gone, but there is a cryptic note and some food. Two days later, there is a dog waiting for him and another note in the mailbox with the dog's name (Guppy) and instructions for feeding him. Gabe writes back, and an exchange of notes in the mailbox ensues. His correspondent says to call him Smitty. A month later, Uncle Vernon’s death is discovered, and chaos enters Gabe’s life again. The authorities quarter Gabe with a teacher and her husband. Gabe returns to school, but nothing is normal; Guppy and Smitty have been hospitalized. Mr. Boehm, his favorite teacher, becomes a strong support. He takes Gabe to Arlington National Cemetery for Uncle Vernon’s military funeral. There he learns of Uncle Vernon’s two medals and hears some of the other veterans tell of his heroism. And at the end of all that, Mr. Boehm offers to adopt him. So, after all the trauma and tragedies, there is a happy ending for the boy--and his dog. Even Smitty comes out O.K. Shafer helps her readers get through the hard times poor Gabe endures by adding some good times to the mix. Gabe enjoys his friendship with Webber and his mom, there are some helpful adults and some successes in school--and there is Guppy. Gabe’s romps with the dog, who gives him the full measure of canine devotion, are leaven for the lumps of sadness and anxiety in the story. The rather pat ending doesn’t diminish this heartwarming story of courage and accomplishment against the odds. The message comes through clearly: love conquers all. Fiction, Highly Recommended. Grades 8 and up. 2006, Delacorte, 178p., $15.95.