Readers get a good, close look at [the behavior of goats in Summer of the White Goat], with a focus on one nanny in particular. Dixon is obviously concerned about the species, and her novel surpasses [Jean Craighead] George's Going to the Sun …, which also deals with Rocky Mountain goats. Still, the plot is forced to fit around the facts. As believable as Gordon's immaturity, fears, and excellence in science may be, neither he nor the plight of the animals is enough to create a memorable story.