{"product_id":"chester-and-gus-isbn-9780062330680","title":"Chester and Gus","description":"\u003cp\u003eCritically acclaimed author Cammie McGovern presents a heartwarming and humorous middle grade novel about the remarkable bond that forms between an aspiring service dog and an autistic boy in need of a friend. “Joyful, inspiring, and completely winning, Chester and Gus is unforgettable,” proclaimed Katherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Medal winner The One and Only Ivan.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eChester has always wanted to become a service dog. When he fails his certification test, though, it seems like that dream will never come true—until a family adopts him. They want him to be a companion for their ten-year-old son, Gus, who has autism. But Gus acts so differently than anyone Chester has ever met. He never wants to pet Chester, and sometimes he doesn’t even want Chester in the room. Chester’s not sure how to help Gus since this isn’t exactly the job he trained for—but he’s determined to figure it out. Because after all, Gus is now his person.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the spirit of beloved classics like Because of Winn-Dixie, Shiloh, and Old Yeller, Cammie McGovern’s heartfelt novel—told from Chester’s point of view—explores the extraordinary friendship between a child and a dog with a poignant and modern twist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHow can a dog who failed his test become the perfect friend for a boy who communicates differently?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA Dog’s Point of View:\u003c\/b\u003e See the world through the hopeful, loving eyes of Chester, a determined pup who knows Gus is his person—even if Gus doesn’t know it yet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAn Unlikely Friendship:\u003c\/b\u003e Gus doesn’t want a dog, especially not one who failed his service test. But Chester is on a mission to win him over and discover the boy's unique way of seeing the world.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAutism and Friendship:\u003c\/b\u003e A gentle and authentic story that explores the challenges and joys of connecting with a friend who has autism, celebrating communication that goes beyond words.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHeartwarming Humor:\u003c\/b\u003e Full of laugh-out-loud moments and poignant insights, this novel is perfect for fans of classic animal stories like \u003ci\u003eBecause of Winn-Dixie\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“[Readers] will be charmed by Chester’s warmth and loyalty.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Gus’ gradual, subtle interactions with his classmates ring true and sympathetic.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The quintessential book about a boy and his dog—perfectly beautiful.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHuffington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Without evading or sugarcoating difficult topics, McGovern shows that disabled and able aren’t binary states but part of a continuum—a human one.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Told in alternating sections of Emily’s and Belinda’s voices, this book explores how even good people can fail morally. Belinda is written thoughtfully and respectfully. She has a distinct voice that reflects her cognitive disabilities but without condescension. Highly recommended.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Through alternating chapters, Emily comes to understand her inaction, prejudices, and failings, and Belinda learns to face her fears, find her voice, and take charge of her future. McGovern’s ample experience with special needs youth is evident, as it allows this unique story shine from within.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eALA Booklist (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“I loved this! It’s a cross between ONE AND ONLY IVAN and OUT OF MY MIND. Kids will love it because it’s a dog story and a school story. Teachers and parents will love it because it’s an intimate look at a family with a non-verbal autistic son. It rang so true for me.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eCathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop (Houston, TX)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise for CHESTER AND GUS:  “In this delightful novel, Cammie McGovern has somehow managed to channel, with absolute perfection, the endearing voice of an aspiring service dog named Chester. Joyful, inspiring, and completely winning, Chester and Gus is unforgettable.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKatherine Applegate, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Newbery Medal winner The One and Only Ivan\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Beautifully imagined and deeply affecting, Cammie McGovern’s sensitive portrait of one resilient family and their very special dog demonstrates that the best lives are lived when differences are cherished.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLeslie Connor, award-winning author of Waiting for Normal and All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Benny’s first-person narrative radiates with exactly the kind of compassion his mother recommends. Like many nine-year-olds, Benny can be guileless in one moment and wise beyond his years in another. Highly recommended for fans of realistic fiction by writers such as Ann M. Martin or Lisa Graff.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eALA Booklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“McGovern writes convincingly about characters trying to figure out how best to live with the complications of a disability, both the person whom it most affects and also those around him or her. She manages to keep Benny’s voice authentic and still draw a rich cast of minor characters. As she does for older teens in Say What You Will and A Step Toward Falling, she offers younger readers a compelling story filled with people they will care about. Benny’s voice deserves to be read aloud in a classroom.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eVoice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“McGovern writes convincingly about characters trying to figure out how best to live with the complications of a disability, both the person whom it most affects and also those around him or her. Benny’s voice deserves to be read aloud in a classroom.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eVoice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise for SAY WHAT YOU WILL:   “Exhilarating and heartrending.This novel is stunning.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eALA Booklist (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Readers will be surprised, moved, amused, worried, hopeful, and grateful.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise for A STEP TOWARD FALLING:   “Universal human emotions and challenges link the characters across boundaries of gender, class, and I.Q. This is a beautiful, big-hearted book with important lessons embedded in compelling stories of two irresistible girls. Expertly executed and movingly realized.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In her first middle-grade novel, McGovern brings readers fully into Benny’s troubled thoughts, making a clear distinction between the things that he can’t control (his father’s health, his brother’s autism) and the things that he can. McGovern’s thoughtful depiction of a family facing difficult situations without fracturing, coupled with a gentle message about not being too hard on oneself, will surely speak to middle schoolers with their own slate of worries.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“McGovern’s thoughtful depiction of a family facing difficult situations without fracturing, coupled with a gentle message about not being too hard on oneself, will surely speak to middle schoolers with their own slate of worries.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In her debut novel for middle grade readers, McGovern presents a heart-filled story of a likable boy who doesn’t realize that his natural gifts are recognizable and valued by a supportive family and his teacher Mr. Norris. There are many moments that will ring true to middle grade readers: feeling anxious about friendships, wanting to be noticed, and trying to do the right thing. Recommend this sensitive novel to fans of Lisa Graff’s Absolutely Almost and Rob Buyea’s Because of Mr. Terupt.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“A heart-filled story of a likable boy who doesn’t realize that his natural gifts are recognizable and valued by a supportive family. There are many moments that will ring true to middle grade readers: feeling anxious about friendships, wanting to be noticed, and trying to do the right thing.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“McGovern’s observations about ordinary-seeming life and about the people around us, about small acts of kindness and healing and forgiveness, are perceptive and thought-provoking.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Benny’s first-person narrative radiates with exactly the kind of compassion his mother recommends: to ease your own pain, try to help others. Like many nine-year-olds, Benny can be guileless in one moment and wise beyond his years in another, and his fascination with LEGO Minifigures will likely delight many young readers, who might share his hobby. In addition, Benny’s goodhearted family embraces a well-rounded life, supporting each other even when it’s tough. Highly recommended for fans of realistic fiction by writers such as Ann M. Martin or Lisa Graff.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eALA Booklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePraise for JUST MY LUCK: “I loved this portrait of a young boy struggling to find his role in a family determined not to be defined by their differences. Benny’s brave story, told with wry humor, is inspirational.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAnn M. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Rain Reign\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In narrator Benny, readers find a resilient and very observant 9-year-old who accepts those around him with their strengths and shortcomings alike. His story is insightful and inspirational.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44888757993701,"sku":"NP9780062330680","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780062330680.jpg?v=1730229771","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/chester-and-gus-isbn-9780062330680","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}