Dogs, Dogs and More Dogs!

 

TITLE: The Dog Knight

AUTHOR: Jeremy Whitley, Bre Indigo (Illustrator), Melissa Capriglion (Color)

PUBLISHER: Feiwel & Friends

PUBLISHING DATE: May 16, 2023

PAGES: 224   

SOURCE: Own library

FROM GOODREADS: Frankie knows who they are. They’re a drummer, they’re nonbinary, and they’re… the Dog Knight? 

One day Frankie is a relatively normal middle schooler, with relatively normal challenges, like finding the perfect outfit to wear during their drum solo during the upcoming band concert. The next, they save a friendly golden retriever from bullies and suddenly find themselves in a giant magical doghouse, with a funny looking helmet, talking to a group of dog superheroes called the Pawtheon about a job offer. 

If Frankie can prove that they possess the six dog virtues of loyalty, kindness, honesty, justice, stubbornness, and smell, they will be named the Dog Knight and be given the power to fight alongside the Pawtheon and save the world from the forces of chaos. 

Maybe there is more to Frankie than they thought? 

MY THOUGHTS: Frankie is trying hard to survive Middle School. They recently came out to their best friend as non-binary and were rejected, they aren't quite sure what to wear to the upcoming band concert where they play drums, and oh yea, they are being followed around by a mysterious white dog which their mom is allergic to.

One day the white dog, named Platinum, saves Frankie from a school bully and transport them to the Pawtheon. There Frankie is gifted with a helmet with dog ears and when they place it on their head, they can suddenly hear any dog talking.  Frankie learns that the world is under attack from gremlins and it might be up to them to save it.  However, first they must pass all the trials needed to become an official Dog Knight.

This book was such a joy to read.  The artwork is colorful and pulls the reader right into the story.  Each one of Frankie's trials is designed to encompass a trait every dog possesses - loyalty, kindness, honesty, justice, smell and stubbornness and each trial is conducted by a different royal dog. I loved meeting all the dogs and the author did a great job at choosing what breed of dog best suited each trait.  

I think kids of all ages as well as adults would enjoy this graphic novel and not only does it contain important messages, but it is also fun and entertaining as well.

RATING: 5 PAWS