JUST GUS, by McCall Hoyle, Shadow Mountain, April 4, 2023, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A working dog learns his true worth and calling in Just Gus, a new middle-grade contemporary novel by McCall Hoyle.
Gus is a livestock guardian dog with one job — protecting his farm from coyotes and foxes. He likes keeping the sheep, the chickens, and his humans safe, and he’s very good at it.
One day, Diego and his dad come to visit the farm, and Gus immediately connects to the small boy. They both like to sit still and enjoy the quiet, and Gus can tell that Diego likes being around a gentle giant of a dog, that it helps relieve the boy’s constant worry.
When Gus detects the scent of a bear in the woods, he rushes to protect his flock, injuring his leg in a fight with the dangerous beast. Wounded, Gus needs to rest and heal away from his sheep, so he doesn’t risk reinjuring his leg. Diego suggests Gus come home with them to the North Carolina coast.
Suddenly, Gus is thrust into a new world of saltwater and sand and neighbors who don’t appreciate the presence of a large guard dog, like the neighbor who reminds Gus of his first owner — the junkyard man with the heavy boots.
Gus realizes Diego might need a friend as much as his sheep need a protector, but if he can’t learn to control his instincts, like barking and patrolling the neighborhood, Gus might lose his chance to stay in his new home. If he can’t protect the farm or his boy, Gus worries he might never find his place in the world. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain
Knowing that Just Gus was coming out soon, I handed my 9-year-old McCall Hoyle’s Stella a week ago. She devoured it. It was everything she wanted the book to be. And she loved that it was told from Stella’s point of view. Fast forward a week, and I passed along Just Gus much to her squealing delight. The day is halfway over and she’s more than halfway through, and loving every minute of it.
Just Gus is technically a sequel to Stella, although the books do stand alone. And I can tell you that my daughter will be very upset if the third dog mentioned in the books doesn’t get his own story, too.
Just Gus celebrates that tender relationship that can only happen between a person and their pet.
At the center of Just Gus is Gus, a dog with a purpose. He has a job that needs to be done, and nothing will keep him from accomplishing it. But Gus gets hurt. Without his flock, his purpose is gone, or so he thinks. Then Diego comes along and everything changes.
Told from Gus’ perspective, readers not only get an intimate view of a dog’s life but of his people. Hoyle expertly navigates the two worlds, creating an enjoyable and heartwarming read.
Just Gus is an excellent middle grade novel that should appeal to most kids. It’s got some adventure, humor and a whole lot of heart.
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