You'll quickly recognize the realistic characters in this boy-and-his-dog story. The protagonist is an angry teenage boy (once you meet his step-father you'll understand why he's angry) who is ordered to get a dog to teach him some responsibility. The task of raising a puppy isn't enough to keep the boy out of reform school, but it's the first hook into the major plot in the book: a sci-fi, medical mystery surrounding a dangerous and deadly disease popping up in dogs across the state.
There are several key relationship in this book: the boy Logan learns about love and friendship from his dog Jack, Logan learns forgiveness from his step-father Robert, and he learns about trust from his real father, a genius veterinarian researcher.
While this book is a great choice for boys, I think all dog-lovers will enjoy this fast-paced realistic fiction/sci-fi/mystery. Keep reading, everyone!
-stenson
