When twelve-year-old Gabe gets home after his first day of sixth grade, he finds his Uncle Vernon has passed away in the house that they share together. Afraid that he might be sent back into foster care, Gabe doesn't tell anyone. When he gets home from school the next day, he finds his uncle's body has been taken, a new pet dog waiting for him, and a note that says "Do not be afraid". When the authorities eventually find out, Gabe ends up learning a lot about his uncle's past and he finds out that he is not alone. The Mailbox is a 2011 Rebecca Caudill book.
