The Underdogs of Upson Downs

By Craig Silvey

A girl and her dog must win a championship to save their home, but the dog only listens when unobserved.

4.3/5 Goodreads · 273 ratings

320 pages

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In Upson Downs, Annie Shearer and her dog, Runt, face a daunting challenge. A greedy landowner threatens their home, pushing Annie to enter Runt in the prestigious Krumpets Dog Show. Runt's speed and agility could win the championship, but there's a twist—Runt only follows commands when no one is watching. With their farm at stake, Annie and Runt must outsmart the competition and overcome this peculiar obstacle. Can they triumph against the odds and save their beloved home?

From the publisher

A heartwarming and hilarious story about a girl and her dog, and of kindness, friendship, hurdles, tunnels, see-saws, and–most importantly–bringing out the best in yourself and others. Annie Shearer lives in the country town of Upson Downs with her best friend, an adopted stray dog called Runt. The two share a very special bond. After years evading capture, Runt is remarkably fast and agile, perfect for herding runaway sheep. But when a greedy local landowner puts her family’s home at risk, Annie directs Runt’s extraordinary talents toward a different pursuit–winning the Agility Course Grand Championship at the lucrative Krumpets Dog Show in London. However, there is a curious catch: Runt will only obey Annie’s commands if nobody else is watching. With all eyes on them, Annie and Runt must beat the odds–and the fastest dogs in the world–to save her farm.

At a glance