THE OLD DOGS' CLUB

A young girl struggles with complex feelings while helping at her grandmother’s doggy day care.

Hazel and her mother have been in Minnesota for several weeks now, since Grandma had a heart attack. A local summer writing workshop isn’t quite what Hazel had hoped for; the instructor is a journalist, but Hazel wants to write fiction. In class, she hits it off with another student, Anjali, but Hazel and her mother are scheduled to return to Chicago before the last class, dashing her hopes of friendship with Anjali. Hazel feels out of sorts, “like there’s a hole” inside her. KC (who uses they/them pronouns) and their younger brother, Jonah, the children of Hazel’s mom’s best friend, seem closer to grumpy Grandma than Hazel is. Though KC and Hazel are both planning a play group for older dogs, Grandma seems far more appreciative of KC’s contributions. And when the senior dogs finally gather, one growls at Spot, Hazel’s elderly dalmatian. Disappointments accumulate, leading to frustration, but with support, Hazel carefully unpacks her feelings. Butler’s portrayal of preteen emotions is empathetic and recognizable, while a peek at dog training offers an appealing second layer to Hazel’s account, making for a lighthearted yet rich tale. Hazel and her family present white; Kote’s sunny grayscale illustrations suggest some diversity among the supporting cast.

A bighearted summer story, both genuine and familiar.