When Tim finds an abandoned and bedraggled little dog outside his house, he can't just leave him there, even though his parents hate the idea of pets in their house. And then the endearing animal turns out to be Grk, the much loved pet of the recently replaced ambassador of Stanislavia, left behind when they made a rushed (and enforced) exit. Tim innocently wants to reunite them, but it means that he will become embroiled in the violent and dangerous politics of this little known East European country. To find them, he will have to break into a high security prison (and out again!) and escape from the consequent hue and cry. This will involve the hair-raising piloting of a helicopter, and a nail-biting race for the border. Could this be the new 007? A Dog Called Grk is Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award.