Paws


Publication Date: 7 Apr. 2021
Format: Paperback / softback

ISBN 9781760652661

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    At home, Alex’s best friend is Kevin the cockapoo, although what he wants most of all is a friend at school. But that is harder than he ever expected. A touching story about learning that friendship isn’t one size fits all and is often found where you least expect it.

    Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex and, as an autistic person, change can be terrifying. With the first day of high school only a couple of months away, Alex is sure that having a friend by his side will help. So, he’s devised a plan – impress the kids at school by winning a trophy at the PAWS Dog Show with his trusty sidekick, Kevin. This should be a walk in the park . . . right?

    Information

    Book Type: Junior Chapter
    Age Group: 9 years +
    Traffic Lights: Green
    Class Novel: No
    Good Reads Rating: 4.5/5
    Literary Rating: 4.5/5

    Review

    Alex is desperate to make friends before he starts high school in a few months. Jared, a popular kid, accepts Alex's friend request on the game "OrbsWorld,' and Alex decides that he needs to impress Jared in order to become "real life' friends -- something he has never had before.

    School can be a difficult place for Alex. He is placed in a group for kids with who find reading difficult. Matilda, also in the group, shouts a lot, which distresses Alex. Ryan, from another Year 6 class, bullies Alex about the incident and knocks his hat from his head. His classmate Angel and a new boy, Derek, stand up for him. Derek and his older sister Mindy have also just moved into Alex's street.

    When Alex finds out that the popular televised dog show "PAWS' will be visiting his town of Jessup Lake, he plans to enter his dog Kevin, a cockapoo, into the competition.

    While training Kevin for the competition, Alex loses the ball he's throwing and runs inside to get another. He gets distracted and starts sketching their other dog, Dennis. When he returns, Kevin is gone. His mum and elder brother Ned help Alex find Kevin, who has run across the street to Derek's place to play with their dog Vinnie, a Jack Russell. The two families become friends.

    The next day in art class, Ms Frip asks to borrow Alex's sketchbook. This makes him late for PE, and even though he had permission from the teacher he runs as fast as he can to try and get there on time for the relay. Alex is on Jared's team and he wants the team to make it to districts, because he thinks this will make them friends. While running there he pulls a muscle, meaning he has to sit out of the race. Ryan subs in for him and the team qualifies. Jared tells him that they think Ryan should replace him on the team and Alex shuts down until his Mum comes to collect him.

    Alex stays home from school the next day to recover. He and Derek bond over OrbsWorld and PAWS. They plan to enter Kevin and Vinnie in the show, but when Alex arrives the obedience and tricks competitions are already full. They enter the "Happiest Dog' competition instead, and Derek collects a trophy for Vinnie. Alex and Kevin win "Best Dog Friend' and Alex's sketch of Kevin also wins the art competition, meaning it will be next year's logo.

    A charming friendship story for middle-grade readers. PAWS that offers an authentic representation of autism through Alex's character, The first-person prose is easy to read, and the fast pace of the novel will suit both confident and emerging readers.

    Themes

    friendship, family, autism, disability, neurodivergence, dogs, video games, drawing

    Content Notes

    Not applicable.

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