  | Gooseberry Author: Gow, Robin | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
Twelve-year-old nonbinary B forms a connection with an anxious stray dog, Gooseberry, prompting them to pursue their dream of becoming a dog trainer while navigating the complexities of trust and building a family in their newest foster home.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.60 Points: 10.0 Quiz: 551650 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (04/01/24)
School Library Journal (+) (00/05/24)
Booklist (+) (04/01/24)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 04/01/2024 *Starred Review* Orphaned at five, B’s been through numerous foster and group homes in seven years. Their only constant is their friends (Opal, Finch, and Clementine) and the therapy dog that visits the group home. Another disastrous placement ends when B asks to adopt a dog, wanting to train it as a replacement therapy dog. Their social worker, Dai, finds a new couple: Jodi and Eri can relate to B, who is nonbinary and shows signs of neurodivergence, as they’re both queer, and trans Eri has ADHD. Suddenly, B has a place to relax, with parents who work with their needs instead of yelling at them to get over their issues and pick a name already. Most important, they’re willing to try adopting the dog B wants to train. Life may not be easy, but found and chosen family certainly helps. While many characters are white, Opal is described as Black, and Clementine’s mother immigrated from Mexico. Gow’s latest middle-grade novel (Dear Mothman, 2023) continues delving into the intersection of transgender or nonbinary identities with autistic and ADHD neurodivergence, and while B thinks no one would be able to understand their brain, autistic readers especially will find much that is both relatable and validating. A story of living authentically, finding family, and surviving bullying, microaggressions, and middle school. - Copyright 2024 Booklist.
