PAWS: Hazel Has Her Hands Full, by Michele Assarasakorn and Nathan Fairbairn. Penguin Random House, 2025. $17.99 ages

"After the camping trip, the first weeks of 
summer go by in a blur. I get to sleep in
super late every morning and wake up at 
my own pace. 

Mom doesn't ever give me any trouble 
over it since she's working from home
this summer and likes the peace and 
quiet in the morning."

This is the fourth book in the PAWS series, and fans will appreciate learning all they can about Hazel. Her family's move from Calgary to Vancouver has resulted in a new school, and new friends. On her first day, she met Gabby and Priya. Since her arrival, she has joined the PAWS team. 

Hazel does an excellent job of describing the reason she uses a wheelchair; she has a rare disease called spinal muscular atrophy which affects her ability to move freely without becoming exhausted by her condition. She has faced many questions and comments about being in the chair; not all have been kind or without uninformed opinions. Hazel can walk on her own for short distances; her chair makes life easier and better. 

As school ends and summer vacation begins, the team members get together to create a schedule for their business based on when they will be available. It's going to be a busy time. Gabby is enrolled in numerous camps and will often be out of commission, and she is hosting her cousin for some of the time. Mindy is spending more time than usual with her father and his new partner. There's a need to try to keep the dog walking to a minimum, if possible. 

When Hazel is asked by friends to cat-sit while they are away, she makes the decision to take the job without telling her over-protective mother. One of the cats' owners also uses a wheelchair, making their home accessible for Hazel and her chair. If Hazel can prove that she can do the job on her own, she might change her mother's mind about what she really can do. 

In trying to tackle all of the expectations of two jobs and her physiotherapy sessions, Hazel discovers that it can be harder than she expected. When one of the indoor cats she is caring for gets out the front door, it takes help from her community of friends to right the ship and bring an end to the chaos. It also proves to Hazel and her mother that she has the stuff needed to make it all work. 

Fans will be looking to hear more about this team in the near future.