Good Boy - by Andy Hirsch (Paperback)

About the Book

"Charlie's life is a series of obstacles, not least of which is an uncontrollable urge to barf when his anxiety overwhelms him. Ralph is an unpredictable rescue dog with more energy than manners. The two make an unlikely pair but are the best of friends. When Ralph causes a scene by following his boy to school, it's suggested the two join a dog agility training group. Ralph is a natural zipping in, around, and over obstacles at lightning speed--training is a fun way for the pair to bond, but when Charlie even considers joining the other handlers at the big contest, his stomach begins to turn. Can the duo take a leap and cross the finish line?"--

Book Synopsis

"Hilarious and heartfelt." --Megan Wagner Lloyd, author of Allergic

Charlie is an anxious kid, and Ralph is a wildly energetic rescue dog. Together, they're best friends, and an unexpectedly perfect (and unpredictable) team.

Charlie's life is a series of obstacles, not least of which is an uncontrollable urge to barf when his anxiety overwhelms him. Ralph is an unpredictable rescue dog with more energy than manners. The two make an unlikely pair but are the best of friends.

When Ralph follows Charlie to school and causes a scene, the pair are encouraged to try dog agility training to bond. For Charlie, it's a chance to connect, build confidence, and maybe even step outside his comfort zone.

Can this anxious kid and his unstoppable dog take a leap of faith and make it to the finish line together?

Review Quotes

Nominated for the Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award
An American Library Association Best Graphic Novels for Children Selection

"A nervous boy and an excitable canine bond through dog training... Dog lovers and kids dealing with similar issues as Charlie will appreciate this one." --Kirkus Reviews

"Guts meets PAWS in a graphic novel about anxiety and agility that will be popular in all graphic novel collections." --School Library Journal

"This moving story about friendship, anxiety, and the highs and lows of dog ownership is sure to find wide appeal, especially for kids who liked Raina Telgemeier's Guts and Megan Wagner Lloyd's Allergic." --Booklist

"Hilarious and heartfelt, Good Boy explores the highs and lows of being a kid and being a dog. This sweet story reminds readers that, deep down, we're all good, regardless of our struggles." --Megan Wagner Lloyd, author of Allergic

"[Good Boy] does a fantastic job of showing a kid struggling with and beginning to overcome severe anxiety... The dog is what gives this story that chef's kiss quality of perfection." --Sequential Tart

About the Author

Andy Hirsch is a cartoonist living in Dallas, Texas. A frequent contributor to First Second's hit Science Comics and History Comics series, he writes and illustrates graphic nonfiction covering everything from dogs to spaceflight, including dogs in spaceflight.