Did you miss my interview earlier this month with THE WIZARD’S DOG author Eric Kahn Gale? Click here to get caught up or keep reading below for my review.

The legend of The Sword in the Stone is given a brand new slant with this creative and fun magical adventure. Merlin, his apprentice Morgana, and young Arthur are joined by Nosewise, Merlin’s spunky faithful companion. Nosewise discovers if he wears one of his master’s magic stones, he can actually speak like a human and make magic himself.

This is not one of those cute dog stories (although Nosewise does have his charm). Instead The Wizard’s Dog is a thrilling ride through 37 chapters as Nosewise seeks to find the kidnapped Merlin. There’s also humor brought on by Nosewise trying to understand human ways–the way we talk, eat, and smell–and how to  unleash magic spells for the first time. More than anything he is loyal to his family.

The Wizard’s Dog is perfect to read out loud or enjoy curled up on the couch. Either way, you’ll have a memorable journey ending with an epic battle in Avalon. I’m looking forward to future tales with Nosewise leading the way. Woof. Woof.

PUBLICATION DATE: January 17, 2017   PAGE COUNT: 288

FULL PLOT: Meet Nosewise. He’s spunky. He’s curious. And he’s a dog who can’t understand why his pack mates Merlin and Morgana spend all day practicing magic tricks. If it’s a trick they want, he’s the dog to ask! He can already Sit!, Stay!, and Roll Over!

But there’s no way Nosewise is Stay!ing when his master and best friend, Merlin, is kidnapped. There’s nothing Nosewise won’t do to get Merlin back, even if it means facing the strange Fae people and their magic-eating worms, or tangling with the mysterious Sword in the Stone. But it may take more than sniffing out a spell to do it!

FIVE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE WIZARD’S DOG by Eric Kahn Gale

1. You get an understanding of  a dog’s way of hearing, seeing, and smelling. Our canine companions are unique creatures and depicted here with expert narration.
2. This will appeal to a wide audience whether you love dogs, legends, or fairy tales.
3. Illustrations appear throughout and although I saw the unfinished version, the artwork adds even more life to a story that is hard to put down.
4. For any young readers not familiar with Merlin, this would make a great introduction and likely propel them to search out other legendary stories.
5. Oberon, King of the Summer Fae, is one of the nastiest antagonists both in appearance and actions in any recent MG adventure. You’ll hope he gets what’s due to him by the end.

FAVORITE LINES: After the dogs approved me, I turned my nose on them. There’s a lot you can learn from a dog’s backside. Besides their unique scent, you can tell how well they’re eating, their age, and if they’re healthy. But even with all that, not even the most loving human will ever sniff a dog’s butt. They don’t know what they are missing.

AUTHOR QUOTE (From Eric’s website):

“All of my books have been inspired by my life. My first novel, The Bully Book, is a a comic mystery taken directly from my experiences being bullied in 6th grade. My second, The Zoo at the Edge of the World, is a fantasy prompted by my lifelong obsession with animals. And my newest book, The Wizard’s Dog, is what I imagine my lovely dog, Bowser, would be like if he was granted magic powers. Life has enriched my books, and these books have vastly enriched my life.”

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Check the links to other Middle Grade novels over at Shannon Messenger’s Marvelous Middle Grade Monday post.