The S.A.V.E. Squad Recommended Reading Order
The S.A.V.E. Squad series follows a straightforward, chronological storyline. Since the characters grow, form their club, and develop their relationships sequentially across the books, you should read them in publication order. Starting with their very first rescue dog and following them through cats, horses, and owls will give you the best experience.
- Dog Daze (2012)
- The Great Cat Caper (2012)
- Secondhand Horses (2013)
- No Ordinary Owl (2013)
S.A.V.E. Squad Book Summaries
1. Dog Daze (2012)
The series kicks off with a school service project that brings four very different sixth-grade girls together. When they rescue a Basset Hound named Wink, they find a shared passion for helping animals. To help more stray dogs find forever homes, the girls plan a community fundraiser called the Basset Waddle. In doing so, they officially form the S.A.V.E. Squad, naming the club after the first letters of their names: Sunny, Aneta, Vee, and Esther.
2. The Great Cat Caper (2012)
In the second installment, the squad turns its attention to feline rescue. They coordinate a project to save dumpster cats living behind a local Oakton business. Alongside the animal rescue, the book explores personal hurdles as Vee struggles with intense academic pressure and high expectations from her parents, highlighting the importance of supportive friends.
3. Secondhand Horses (2013)
The third book brings the girls to Sunny’s uncle's ranch, where they discover a neglected petting zoo. The squad works tirelessly to rescue the animals, focusing on saving a miniature horse. As they clean up the ranch and care for the animals, the girls also find themselves solving a local mystery that tests their problem-solving skills.
4. No Ordinary Owl (2013)
The final book in the series centers on wild animal rehabilitation. The girls help rescue injured owls and work with a local nature center to nurse them back to health. The squad's unity is tested when a school bully threatens to tear their friendship and their rescue club apart, forcing the girls to stand up for one another.
Meet the S.A.V.E. Squad Members
The core of the series is the diverse cast of characters who learn to embrace their unique strengths and cultural backgrounds:
- Sunny: The impulsive, high-energy coordinator who loves horses and living near ranch life.
- Aneta: An immigrant from Ukraine who struggles to fit into her new American school and community.
- Vee: The studious, structured planner of the group who deals with school anxiety and parental pressure.
- Esther: The loyal, grounded, and observant anchor who keeps the squad focused and united.
What to Know Before You Start
Originally published by Barbour Publishing between 2012 and 2013, the S.A.V.E. Squad is a collaboration between veteran children's author Lauraine Snelling and creative writing teacher Kathleen Damp Wright. Designed for readers aged 7 to 12, the stories are fast-paced and easy to read. While the series features subtle Christian themes and moral lessons, the focus remains heavily on practical problem-solving, empathy, teamwork, and the realities of middle-school life.