Rotten

Michael Northrop's 'Rotten' tells the story of Jimmer 'JD' Dobbs, a sixteen-year-old who returns from a difficult summer to a new challenge: his mother has adopted an abused Rottweiler. JD, who names the dog Johnny Rotten, must navigate his own past troubles while building a relationship with a dog that has also experienced trauma. This chapter book explores themes of trust, loyalty, and redemption through the unique bond between a troubled teen and a misunderstood dog. Parents should be aware of the underlying themes of past abuse (both the dog's and JD's implied 'troubled' past) and juvenile delinquency, handled with sensitivity.