Finding Rover - Why Should You Read This Book?

Fran Alberti writes about her brother Bobby’s ordeal in a book about loyalty, faith, and survival. When Fran learned that her brother had barely survived Hurricane Katrina, she gave thanks to God, but her work had only just begun. Bobby Alberti had been rescued from the rooftop of his home with his dog Rover and two neighbors that he had helped. Bobby had lost everything and then, for a time, he lost Rover, too.

Rescuers separated Bobby from his beloved pet as they evacuated him to a staging area outside New Orleans. They promised that Rover – Bobby’s best friend –­ would be well taken care of … But in the chaotic aftermath of Katrina, Rover could not be found. Bobby suffered for more than a month without his dog, until one day Fran and another sister, Nancy, spotted a picture of Rover on a pet rescue website. That led to a chain of events in which Bobby was reunited with Rover at – of all places – the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis. The joyful reunion received nationwide coverage in newspapers, radio and television, including NPR, National Geographic Kid’s magazine and Nestle’s Purina Newsletter. It was one of those few feel-good stories that emerged from Hurricane Katrina.   

Again, Fran Alberti gave thanks to God, but her work still was far from finished. Bobby had lost his home; he had no savings and then he learned that he had cancer. But there was no quit in either Bobby or Fran. They both believed that there was a lesson in Bobby’s suffering and his rescue – one that could teach children about faith and survival.  So Fran, who is an administrative assistant at an oil company – not a writer – set about writing a book especially for kids. It is, by turns, fascinating and scary, whimsical and funny. At 48 pages, it makes a great read aloud book for parents and children, and a page-turner for young readers.

Bobby and Rover are currently living with a sister in New Orleans .