For the child who loves animal stories and brave quests, this tale explores courage, loyalty, and finding where you truly belong amidst challenging circumstances.
A parent might reach for this book when their child feels like an outsider or is struggling to find their place, especially if they love animals. City of Dogs follows three very different canines: Prince, a pampered terrier cast out of his home; Zora, a wise stray greyhound; and Silver, a fierce wolf-dog. They are joined by a lost boy named Oubli and discover they are part of a prophecy to save their city from a dark magic that is turning its inhabitants to stone. This fantasy adventure is perfect for middle-grade readers who are ready for a story with high stakes. It masterfully explores themes of courage, finding your own 'pack,' and discovering that your true strength comes from who you are, not where you came from.
The primary threat is characters being turned to stone, which serves as a metaphor for death and loss. The villain is a menacing god-like figure, and there are scenes of peril, capture, and fear. The framework is a very clear good versus evil fantasy conflict. The resolution is hopeful and triumphant, with evil being vanquished and the heroes finding their place of belonging.
Ideal Reader
This is for the 10 to 12-year-old reader who devours animal fantasy series like Warriors or Seekers. It's a perfect fit for a child who feels a bit different from their peers and needs a story that champions unlikely heroes and the strength found in friendship and loyalty. It speaks to the child navigating social groups and trying to find where they fit in.
Parent Prep
Parents may want to preview scenes involving the villain, the Jackal-god Anubis, particularly his first appearances. The descriptions of his power and the stone statues can be frightening for more sensitive readers. The book can be read cold, as the fantasy concepts are explained well, but a quick chat about prophecies in stories might be fun context. A parent overhears their child saying, "I don't have any real friends," or "Nobody at school gets me." The child may be feeling isolated after a move, a change in schools, or a falling out with friends.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will be captivated by the talking dogs, the fast-paced adventure, and the classic good-versus-evil plot. An older reader (11-13) will likely connect more deeply with the internal struggles of the characters: Prince's identity crisis, Zora's world-weariness, and Oubli's silent strength. They will better appreciate the themes of destiny, social strata, and finding belonging outside of one's birth circumstances.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many animal fantasies set in deep wilderness, this book's strength is its blend of urban setting and high fantasy mythology. The focus on a canine-centric society within a human city is unique. The integration of Egyptian mythology (Anubis) as the antagonistic force gives the classic quest narrative a distinct and memorable flavor.
Read plot summary
In a city where dogs have their own secret society, a pampered terrier named Prince is abandoned and must learn to survive on the streets. He soon encounters Zora, a wise greyhound, and Silver, a powerful wolf-dog. Together with a mysterious, non-verbal boy named Oubli, they learn they are the prophesied heroes destined to defeat the encroaching darkness of the Jackal-god Anubis, who is turning the city's dog and human population into stone statues. It is a classic quest narrative that follows the trio as they learn to trust each other and embrace their destinies.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Prince starts as a pampered house dog, while Zora and Silver are street-wise strays. How did their different backgrounds help or hurt them during their quest?
2
Oubli, the boy, cannot speak but plays a very important role. How does the story show that you can be brave and heroic without using words?
3
The prophecy says a terrier, a greyhound, and a wolf-dog must work together. Why do you think it was so important that the heroes were all different types of dogs?
4
At the end of the book, Prince decides to stay with his new friends instead of going back to his old life. Do you think he made the right choice? What does this say about what makes a family?
5
The Jackal-god feeds on fear. How do the heroes learn to overcome their own fears to defeat him?
