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Reviewed by Nichole, Teacher, Otatara School, Southland
Opening sentence
Mitch was a quiet boy in a loud family.
'The Boy and the Dog Tree' is a great fit for animal lovers who believe our four-legged friends might just be a little bit magical, as well as the "quiet ones" who are still figuring out how to stand up to their own real-life bullies. It shows that you don't have to be the loudest person in the room to be incredibly brave. Fans of magical realism will also love the idea of a gnarly old tree holding a wise, powerful secret. Because it tackles big feelings like belonging and resilience in such a natural way, it’s an ideal class read aloud for sparking great conversations.
Publisher: University of Queensland Press
ISBN: 9780702269226
Format: Paperback
Publication: March 2026
Ages: 8 - 12 years
Themes: Friendship, courage, identity, change, strength