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Paws

Book Synopsis

Alex’s best friend is Kevin the cockapoo, although what he wants most of all is a friend at school. A charming and gentle story about how life isn’t one size fits all.

Everything is changing for 11-year-old Alex and, as an autistic person, change can be terrifying. With the first day of high school only a couple of months away, Alex is sure that having a friend by his side will help. So, he’s devised a plan – impress the kids at school by winning a trophy at the PAWS Dog Show with his trusty sidekick, Kevin. This should be a walk in the park … right?

Our Review Panel says...

This is a positive and uplifting book that would appeal to across Key Stage Two year groups.

11-year-old Alex is autistic and having difficulty navigating school and friendships. His relationship with his dog, Kevin, is at the heart of the story and their ambitions ultimately lead to important lessons about friendship.

Dog books are a popular but not usually diverse genre, so it’s particularly nice to see a neurodiverse main character. The story covers some of the anxieties and concerns associated with the transition to secondary school. It would also be suitable for much younger capable readers and would be a great fit for a school library.