Golden Boy - by A J Symon (Paperback)

About the Book

"When science-obsessed, reserved teen-genius Emma uses an experimental project to save her injured golden retriever, she accidentally turns him human and must navigate the chaos that follows."--

Book Synopsis

For the first printing only! This paperback features sprayed stenciled edges while the special edition supply lasts.

When the beloved family golden retriever becomes human, a girl's relationships with her family and herself transform in ways she never thought possible in this "fun, fast-moving" (School Library Journal, starred review) young adult novel.

Emma Branch has always been the odd one out. As a stubborn, socially inept teen genius, she's had a hard time finding her place in her small Southern town. But that's okay, because Emma already has the only friend she needs: her golden retriever, Hudson.

So when Hudson falls critically ill, Emma can't say goodbye. With her science smarts, she injects him with her latest experiment, a longevity formula she hopes will save his life. And that's when things go hilariously wrong. Emma wakes the next day to find she's turned her dog into a human boy!

Before she can make an antidote, Hudson runs off and inadvertently impresses Emma's father out on the football field. As a struggling head coach, he proposes a wild idea: put Hudson on the team. Soon enough, everybody is talking about the mysterious new football star who's catapulting the team to victory. And Emma, her father, and the whole town discover how a good boy can change people's hearts--but only after he causes a doggone mess!

Review Quotes

Praise for Golden Boy

* "Like a golden retriever, this fun, fast-moving football story featuring an outstanding female lead will appeal to a wide range of readers."--School Library Journal, Starred

"Georgia author Symon's debut novel is steeped in Southern tradition and a deep love for family, football, and four-legged friends...Tween and younger teen readers will find lots to love in this ode to the eternal bond between pets and their people."--Booklist

About the Author

A.J. Symon lives in Barnesville, Georgia, with his family, which includes several golden retrievers, including descendants of the real-life Hudson on which Golden Boy is based.