Answers to Dog

"True-to-life moments of humor and pathos further ground a story that's sure to win attention from misfits and dog people of all stripes." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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.

Author: Pete Hautman
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 10/28/2025
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.45lbs
Size: 8.10h x 5.50w x 0.70d
ISBN13: 9781536244465
ISBN10: 1536244465
BISAC Categories:
- Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
- Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
- Juvenile Fiction | Family | Parents

About the Author
Pete Hautman is the author of many books for young adults, including the National Book Award winner Godless, the Klaatu Diskos trilogy, and Eden West. His middle-grade novels include The Rat Queen, Otherwood, winner of an Edgar Award, and Slider, which Booklist lauded for its "crystalline prose, delectable detail, rip-roaring humor, and larger-than-life characters." Pete Hautman divides his time between Wisconsin and Minnesota.