Pax, by Sara Pennypacker is Jeoffry’s overall favorite children’s book published in the last several years. It’s the story of a fox and his boy who are separated by war, and by the boy’s father and their journey to find each other again. It’s a heartbreakingly beautiful, very honest story. Read our review here.
The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate. Ivan, a silver-backed gorilla living an unhappy life in a small mall circus, becomes compelled to use his ability to create artwork to help his new friend, Ruby, a baby elephant abused by the ring-master, to escape. Our review is here.
Spencer Quinn’s Bowser and Birdie series. This is a very entertaining middle-grade mystery series about Birdie, an eleven-year-old girl living with her grandma in the Louisianan bayou, and her adopted rescue dog, Bowser. As with Quinn’s Chet and Bernie series for adults, this one is narrated entirely by Bowser, the very lovable, loyal, happy-go-lucky mutt. Just as Chet, his nose, ears, and brains make him an excellent sleuth. The only thing we don’t get about Bowser is that he doesn’t really get how great cats are! Bowser! Maybe he’ll learn in a future book… Check out the first book in the series here.
Fenway and Hattie by Victoria J. Coe is a charming book for middle-grade readers about a dog learning to adapt – and love – his new home. You’ll cheer for little Fenway as he tries hard to understand the changes he and his girl, Hattie, are going through and devises not-so-good ways to make things better. And there’s a whole series out now! Read our review here.
Dog Lost by Ingrid Lee is a very moving middle-grade novel about a lost pit bull who is abducted into a dog-fighting ring. The book follows both Cash, the dog, and Mac, the boy trying hard to find him. It’s a page-turner, and dispels myths about the so-called inherently dangerous breed. Read our review here.
Chester and Gus by Cammie McGovern is a moving, heartfelt middle-grade novel about an endearing therapy dog and the autistic boy he is assigned to help. Read our review here.
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill contains not real, but fantastical animal characters, including a sweet little dragon named Fyrion and an endearing swamp creature named Glerk. The book also stars fantastical human characters who possess magic. It’s an enchanting tale involving the power of story, questioning deeply held beliefs, forgiveness, hope triumphing over despair, and above all, love. Beautiful, magical book! Read our review here.
This book is also listed on our Farm Animal page but we love it so much we needed to cross-list it here! So, Saucy by Cynthia Kadohata is a delightful middle-grade novel (ages 8 and up) about a girl, Becca, who feels a little overshadowed by her many brothers. She finds a sick little piglet on the side of the road and takes her to the vet. Things are initially uncertain for the mange-covered piglet but soon Saucy recovers and grows to be a healthy, happy, and endearingly saucy pig! She soon becomes too much for the family to take on with their small house, so they find a nearby sanctuary to care for Saucy. Many good things happen to Becca and her family as a result of the little pig, who is lovingly and realistically portrayed. She our review here.
Check out more of our favorite children’s books here.