Corey grows up with a big white dog called Mister Mosely, or Moe for short. Corey narrates short chapters describing Moe’s quirks, intelligence and protectiveness, with frequent foreshadowing and end-of-chapter hooks. Superficially, this book is about a boy and a dog. The subplot, though, simmers with difficulties the family face – the real story and concerns the challenging dynamics of a family under stress. Moe becomes a trusted, non-judgmental confidant for all the family.
Anyone who’s had the privilege of sharing life with a dog knows the utter joy of having love returned unconditionally. Sadly, because a dog’s lifespan is shorter than a human’s, there are also lessons about loss, grief and the sweet sadness of remembrance. Bauer perfectly captures Corey’s voice in this superbly crafted story overflowing with love, compassion and pathos.
Reviewed by Bob Moore
Age Guide 8+
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Michael Gerard Bauer was born and lives in Brisbane Australia. In 2000 he resigned from his full-time position as an English/Economics teacher to pursue his dream of becoming a writer.
In 2004 his first YA novel The Running Man was published to great acclaim. It subsequently won the 2005 Children’s Book Council of Australia (CBCA) Book of the Year for Older Readers and was short-listed for the NSW, Victoria and South Australian State Premiers’ Literary awards.
These days Michael is a full-time writer. His books are currently sold in over 42 countries including the USA and UK and have been translated into 12 languages. In 2022 Michael was awarded The Dame Annabelle Rankin Award for Distinguished Services to Children’s Literature by the Queensland Branch of the Children’s Book Council of Australia.
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