Shadrach (novel)

 Shadrach by Meindert DeJong is a children's novel about a small boy and his pet rabbit. The novel, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, was first published in 1953 and was a Newbery Honor recipient in 1954.
Plot summary.
The novel is set in the Netherlands. 6-year-old Davie waits a long time for his pet, a black rabbit he calls Shadrach. When the rabbit finally comes, every day seems miraculous. But one day Shadrach runs away.