2025
WISE Score
Amazon
A middle-grade graphic novel that gets real about 'barf-level' anxiety and the chaotic rescue dog who helps steer the ship.
5.0
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This is a must-read for any kid who feels the weight of the world on their shoulders. Andy Hirsch avoids the 'after-school special' vibe by making the story genuinely funny and focusing on the messy, muddy reality of training a rescue dog.
It’s rare to find a book that explains mental health this clearly without being boring or preachy. Just make sure you don't accidentally buy the 2025 horror movie of the same name—that's a 'trauma-spiral' you don't want to deal with.
Best for ages 8 to 12. It hits that sweet spot of middle-school transition where social anxiety starts to peak, but the graphic novel format keeps it accessible for younger readers too.
It models a deeply healthy approach to mental health and pet ownership. Instead of the dog 'fixing' the boy, the boy has to learn to regulate his own emotions to help the dog, creating a reciprocal loop of kindness and patience.
The use of the graphic novel medium to visualize internal anxiety—using green faces and black 'doom' bubbles—is a creative way to help kids understand abstract feelings.
Standard middle-grade safety. No mature themes or violence. The only 'warning' is that the protagonist's anxiety leads to physical sickness (vomiting), which is handled with empathy but might be a bit much for very squeamish kids.
Top-tier for emotional intelligence. It teaches kids that anxiety isn't something to 'cure' but something to manage through connection and routine. The dog agility setting adds a cool layer of responsibility and skill-building.
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