The Hunt for Shadowclaw - by Alison James (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A panther is loose in NYC! Can an overeager dog who failed his K-9 police squad exam and a pair of unlikely animal friends find the panther before it's too late?

This fast-paced adventure, with 80+ graphic-novel pages, races through New York City--perfect for 8-to-11-year-olds looking for their next animal adventure about friendship and loyalty.

Lenny is a bright, confident, young dog who dreams of being a member of the elite New York K-9 force. His lack of hind legs doesn't hold him back. When he hears that a panther has escaped from the circus, he realizes this is the opportunity he has been waiting for!

In his search, Lenny meets Fred, a duck with autism who speaks only in movie quotes, and Bearnice, a dancing bear with Down syndrome. They combine their skills and try to find the panther. But when things go south, Lenny has to decide where his loyalties lie: his new friends or the K-9 unit?

An animal adventure that uses humor and heart to explore friendship and loyalty, perfect for reluctant readers looking for a fast-paced story with graphic novel elements.

About the Author

Alison James has published two novels, three picture books, and translated over 150 books for children. Her latest book, the beloved Maple and Rosemary, was illustrated by Jennifer Mann. A neurodivergent author (Au-DHD), Alison works with all kinds of sparkly children in Vermont where she and her partner run a forest school and summer training camp for young enchanters. Alison is an experienced agility trainer with her dog Pantalaimon

Wastana Haikal is a visual artist based in Bandung, Indonesia. After graduating with a degree in visual communication design from the Bandung Institute of Technology he became full-time illustrator. He loves to tell a story, and he is always creating story-driven works from fantasy-themed to slices of life with vibrant and eclectic elements. Life inspires him.

Target audience--ages 8-12, Reluctant Readers