Erin Soderberg Downing


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Just Like Home



A New Middle Grade Series Launching January 2026!



Twins Ruby and Henry have an unusual kind of home life compared to their friends. Their family operates an animal sanctuary with a unique collection of full-time pet residents: a relaxed pig, a lazy dog, the world’s bossiest cat, two silly goats, and a llama who thinks he’s a human. Not to mention, Ruby and Henry’s mom is also a vet at the animal clinic in town. Let’s just say, when it comes to animals, it’s hard for Ruby and Henry’s family to say no.

But a couple months ago, their parents decided that the farm is full. No additional resident farm animals. No more fosters. Of course, rules are meant to be broken . . . JUST LIKE HOME is a fun and heartwarming middle grade series about a unique animal sanctuary, the full-time family who lives there, and the rotating stable of animal guests who get to learn what it feels like to be really loved and cared for while finding their way to a perfect forever home.


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Book One: Love Rolls In



Healing begins with the wag of a tail...



A scared puppy has just arrived at their mom’s clinic, and he’s lost mobility in his back legs because of an injury. What’s worse is that newly named Arlo clearly knows he’s been abandoned. But with Ruby’s builder brain, Henry’s heart, and a little bit of kindness from their ragtag group of animals at the sanctuary, they just might be able to teach Arlo how to trust again.


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Book Two: Kitten Delivery



Seven purrfect companions are ready to take their next steps.



When it comes to animals, Ruby and Henry’s family just can’t seem to say no . . . especially when the twins stumble upon a litter of abandoned kittens on the side of the road. With seven new house guests with seven very different personalities, it’s only fitting to name them after the seven Dwarves. The hard part is going to be finding good homes for each unique kitten. But if anyone can do it, it’s Ruby and Henry.


First, they’re going to need to keep their new campers feeling safe and well taken care of while they grow big and strong enough to be adopted. And as it turns out, this will be harder than it seems . . .


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Erin's Sketch of Ruby & Henry's Family Farm



Drawing out the setting in my novels always helps me keep things organized in my head while I'm writing!





The Research is the Best Part!



While I was getting ready to write this series, I spent some time visiting a bunch of different animal sanctuaries and farms, meeting lots of fun characters along the way. Check out a few of the amazing animals I've gotten to meet!

Huge thanks to the sanctuaries, shelters, and farms that showed me around, taught me a lot about many different kinds of creatures, and who take such good care of our animal friends.


ART CREDITS:
Great Peach Experiment Design/Art: Michelle Cunningham
Controlled Burn / Just Keep Walking/What Happened Then: Oriol Vidal
Just Like Home: Johanna Tarkela
Puppy Pirates Covers: Luz Tapia / Interiors: Russ Cox
Daring Dreamers Club: Anoosha Syed