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Answers to Dog
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
Wisconsin author
Pete Hautman was born in California and raised in Minnesota. He divides his time between Minnesota and Stockholm, Wisconsin.
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