Come, llamas

the long version

It's spring time on the Kinnaman Ranch in Alaska, and nine-year-old JT is sure it will be the best one yet. This season he's determined to become a pitcher on his school's baseball team and to raise his very own llama, just like Grandad promised. When baby llama Elmo is born, JT has all kinds of plans for the first of his herd. Every night after baseball practice, JT trains Elmo. And every morning, the small llama seems to be growing stronger--even as Grandad's persistant cough gets worse and worse. Then a bear charges through their property, and JT doesn't see how their family will manage. Half their llamas are gone, Elmo's leg is broken, and it's not long before Grandad needs to be rushed to the clinic. But everything's always growing and changing on a llama ranch, and JT will find a way to keep on keeping on and make Grandad proud.From the Hardcover edition.