Answers to Dog

By Pete Hautman

A boy and a dog defy bullies and find courage together.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 512 ratings

240 pages· 45,356 words· Est. 5 hour read

$18.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Evan, an outsider at school and home, avoids attention until a scrappy border collie starts following him. Together, they face bullies and an abusive breeder, forging an unbreakable bond. As they run through challenges, Evan learns to stand up for himself and open his heart. This tale of friendship and courage explores the transformative power of a loyal dog.

From the publisher

National Book Award winner Pete Hautman explores a friendship like no other–and the universal truth that dogs make life better, especially for underdogs. Evan doesn’t seem to fit in at school or at home. He goes out of his way to avoid attention. He sits at the back of the bus, keeps his head down in class, and keeps to himself. But when a burr-covered border collie–a survivor with a gut instinct about the Boy–starts following him around and joining him on his runs, Evan’s simple duck-and-dodge existence becomes a lot more complicated . . . a lot more like life. Evolving from wary companions to steadfast friends, Evan and the dog run fast and far together, thwart an abusive dog breeder and the school bully, and find the courage to stand up for themselves and to open up to those who matter most. Narrated in alternating viewpoints, this relatable contemporary novel with classic coming-of-age themes has all the hope, pathos, and emotional complexity that mark Pete Hautman’s books for middle-grade readers–and is a deeply satisfying read for animal lovers.

At a glance