Jim Ugly — Sid Fleischman

Twelve-year-old Jake Bannock cannot believe that his actor-father is dead and he is an orphan. Now all Jake has left is his father's wolflike dog, Jim Ugly. But is his father really dead?

When Jake hears talk about a fortune in missing diamonds, he wonders if his father is hiding out somewhere. Jake feels sure that Jim Ugly has the nose to pick up his father's trail. But eyes are watching every move they make. Whom can Jake trust on his search for the truth about his father?