Animal Dreams explores the journey of reconciliation with one's past, familial bonds, and the struggle against environmental degradation. Through the eyes of Cosima "Codi" Noline, the novel unfolds in a small Arizona town full of secrets and memories. Codi's return to her hometown is marked by encounters with family, old friends, and a fight to save the community from ecological harm.

Chapter 1

The narrative begins with Dr. Homer Noline observing his two young daughters, Cosima and Halimeda, as they sleep. It is the Night of All Souls, a time of remembrance in the Christian calendar. The scene sets a tone of reflection and familial ties that will weave throughout the story.

Chapter 2

Time advances as Codi, once known as Cosima, returns to her roots in Grace, Arizona, after a lengthy absence. She takes on the role of a schoolteacher while tending to her ailing father. Having previously lived with her boyfriend Carlo and her adventurous sister Hallie in Tucson, she feels disconnected upon her return. Hallie has embarked on a journey to Nicaragua to aid in agricultural development, prompting Codi to seek her own change. Yet as she walks the familiar streets, she struggles with a sense of alienation.

Chapter 3

The perspective shifts to Doc Homer, reflecting on a stormy night from the past. Codi and Hallie, then mere children, had gone missing, only to be found nurturing a litter of coyote pups. This memory underscores the sisters' bond and their shared compassion for life.

Chapters 4-7

In Grace, Codi reconnects with her high school friend Emelina, who now has her hands full with five young boys. Codi reminisces about her last encounter with Hallie and their inseparable relationship. Revisiting the town brings back a flood of memories, from her mother's death when she was just a toddler to her own miscarriage at fifteen. Her past entanglement with Loyd Peregrina, a high school senior of Apache and Pueblo descent, resurfaces when she encounters him at a local gathering. The town buzzes with concern over the Black Mountain Mining Company's environmental impact.

Chapters 8-9

Codi's reunion with her father is colored by his Alzheimer's diagnosis. Though their conversations are sparse, Doc Homer remains reticent about his condition. Codi adapts to her new role as a biology teacher and discovers the vibrant Stitch and Bitch Club. A letter from Hallie, sent from southern Mexico, arrives filled with vivid descriptions. Meanwhile, Codi and Loyd's interactions deepen, and he invites her on a trip, revealing the loss of his twin brother, Leander.

Chapter 10

Doc Homer finds himself lost in thought, struggling to distinguish between past and present. He recalls the time when teenage Codi was pregnant and the silent struggle he faced in addressing it. The scene paints a portrait of a father's internal turmoil and the unspoken barriers within their relationship.

Chapters 11-12

A planned excursion with Loyd is delayed as Codi learns about his pastime of cockfighting. Despite frequent meetings, she hesitates to label their relationship. An eye-opening field trip to the polluted river reveals the stakes of Black Mountain's proposed diversion, threatening Grace's sustenance. Loyd takes Codi to the Apache reservation and a historic Pueblo site, deepening her connection to the land's heritage.

Chapter 13

Doc Homer again drifts through memories, recalling Codi's miscarriage. He had witnessed her quiet attempt to deal with her loss, a moment he never acknowledged to her. The scene accentuates the silent burdens carried within their family.

Chapter 14

When a student drops out due to pregnancy, Codi uses it as an opportunity to educate her class on birth control. A local's...