The young llama Harley is supposed to be trained as a pack animal. But it seems no one asked Harley’s opinion. He spits and shoves and kicks when the trainer comes. Far away from Harley is a woman rancher whose sheep are being attacked by coyotes. The rancher decides to get a guard llama, and Harley is chosen. Harley is a good at guarding, but the sheep don’t like him, and he’s lonely. Can he make friends with the bullying ram? Star Livingstone’s easy-to-read, chapter-book-sized story about real people and animals who live near her home in Massachusetts is written in short, simple sentences for newly independent readers. (“The sheep are restless. / They crowd together. / The coyotes sound close.”) Molly Bang’s full-color illustrations look as if they were created in pastels. (Ages 5–7)