CCBC Booklists

CCBC booklist are compiled from books we have recommended in various editions of CCBC Choices. Most of these booklists are updated annually. You can also select books from one or more booklists to create a custom list, which can also include additional books from the CCBC-Recommended Book Search.

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Answers to Dog

by Pete Hautman

CCBC Review:

Evan Dunn (white) lives a quiet life as a bus-riding eighth-grader in a rural community. Much of his daily routine is unexamined. He takes his quirky bus buddies for granted, avoids the school bully, and rarely questions his reserved, self-focused parents. Out of the blue, a dog shows up and starts to follow Evan around. Around the same time, a neighbor returns to school after an extended medical leave. The arrival of the dog and Hana (white) unleash a series of surprises and changes to Evan’s private life. First, they discover that it’s not just a lone stray, but an intelligent Border Collie from a nearby breeder. Second, Evan finds out that the breeder is neglecting and abusing the dogs at the kennel. Unsure how to ask for help, Evan finds that there is support all around him—his new friend Hana and her mom, his teacher and track coach, and, in unexpected ways, his parents. On the surface, this is a story about a boy and a dog who love to run, but on a deeper level, it’s about being seen and finding connections, often when you least expect them. Short, straightforward chapters (some narrated by the dog), keep a tight pace on this tender novel. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 10-13
Age Range: Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10) Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format: Novel
Subjects: Abuse Animals (Fiction) Empathy and Compassion Families Mental Health and Illness Small Town Life

On CCBC Booklists: Bullying, Teasing, Relational Aggression and School Violence Small Town and Rural Life: Selected Books for Children and Teens

Publisher: Candlewick
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 233
ISBN: 9781536234886
CCBC Location: Fiction, Hautman

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Our Recommended Book Search includes access to CCBC-recommended titles based on subject headings created by our staff.

Please send questions or comments about CCBC booklists to ccbcinfo@education.wisc.edu.