Gooseberry
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2024

Gooseberry

Written by Robin Gow

A nonbinary child and a wary stray dog seek trust and family together.

3.7 Goodreads · 361 ratings
312 pages· ~720L
$9.99Save 4%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Twelve-year-old B, navigating life in foster care and their nonbinary identity, dreams of becoming a dog trainer. Meeting Gooseberry, a skittish stray, sparks hope for a true family. But as B struggles to earn Gooseberry's trust, they must confront their own fears. Can B and Gooseberry find solace and belonging in each other, or will their insecurities keep them apart? This heartwarming tale explores the journey of self-discovery and the bonds that form when least expected.

From the publisher

Robin Gow’s Gooseberry is a moving middle-grade novel about a young nonbinary person searching for family and finding it with a sweet rescue dog.A School Library Journal Best Book of the YearA New York Public Library Best Book of the YearA Booklist Editors’ Choice SelectionSTARRED REVIEW “Both relatable and validating.” ―Booklist STARRED REVIEW “A must-purchase realistic fiction title for all middle grade collections.” ―School Library JournalThere’s a lot twelve-year-old B doesn’t know–like what their new name should be after coming out as nonbinary. Or what it would feel like to finally feel at home after moving around to different foster families for years. But there’s one thing B does know: they want to be a dog trainer when they grow up. And when they meet Gooseberry–a feisty stray dog who seems as wary of strangers as B does–B feels an instant connection. With Gooseberry, B could have everything they want: a family of their own, and a dog to train. And B’s newest foster parents agree to let B adopt him.But training a dog isn’t as easy as B expected. Gooseberry is anxious and barely lets B pet him, let alone train him. Will Gooseberry ever feel at ease with B? And how can B teach Gooseberry to trust, when they know so little about trust themself? Gooseberry is a heartwarming story by the acclaimed author of Dear Mothman about finding family, finding hope, and–most of all–finding and accepting yourself.Also by Robin GowDear MothmanSaber-Tooth

At a glance
Format
Paperback
Pages
312
Reading age
10–14
Audience
Middle Grade
Lexile
~720L
The author

More from Robin Gow

Explore Robin's bookshelf
Your next read

Books that feel like this one

See all similar books
The fine print

Book details

Reading levels
ATOS
4.59
F&P level
~Q
AR points
10
AR interest level
MG
AR quiz
551650
Publication
Published
January 6, 2026
First published
May 14, 2024
Edition
Language
English
Type
Chapter Book
Identifiers
ISBN
9781419764431

Surprise a reader with their next favorite book.

Spotted a mistake or something missing? Improve this page.

Are you the author or illustrator? Claim your book.