The Tiger Rising

There is a tiger in the forest. Real, not made up by some kid. Although he was found by one of them. Young Rob Horton found this creature wandering through the misty forest one morning before going to school. It was there, big as life, sitting in a cage not far from the Kentucky Star Motel where Rob and his father had lived since Rob's mom died. Rob fully intended to keep the huge tabby cat a secret. After all, in truth, he couldn't tell anyone about it. Maybe to my father. But they don't talk much. Besides him, well, the list is very short. Rob, you see, became an outcast at school because of an evil rash on his legs, which does not go away. Everyone thinks it's contagious, so they shun it-when they don't shove it. However, then something changes. Rob accidentally meets a certain Sistine Bailey. Children bully her too. But Sistin is not one of those who just sits and endures, like Rob. Sistin puts his feet up, makes faces and responds with a growl to any offender who comes too close. When Rob sees her doing this, he realizes that he has to tell Sistine about the tiger. After all, she herself must be part of the tiger. And besides, she doesn't seem to care about Rob's rash at all. Which means she's fine in his book. Of course, there is one big problem with showing a new friend something as amazing as a tiger in the forest. And this is an even bigger problem when a new friend is partly a tiger himself. Because the first thing a girl ready to roar will want to know is how this incredible creature ended up here. And then... how to release him?! Rob is sure that bullies and a never-healing rash are now the least of his problems.