Nick misses his old Alsatian enormously when the vet decides he is suffering and must be put down. To make matters worse, the local bully picks a fight with Nick by teasing him about the dog. Nick's grandmother, with whom he lives, convinces him the only way to deal with the bully is by beating him at conkers. With her help, he does just that, and in the process, finds a neglected, abused dog who needs a good home. A good easy read and a heart-warming story.