How to Walk a Dog - Hardcover

by Joanne Levy (Author)

"A winning story that will resonate with middle grade readers navigating their own changing bodies, friendships, and family lives."
―School Library Journal, Starred Review

An accessible, masterfully told story about understanding why not fitting in and occasionally standing out is not only okay--it might be the key to being understood.

Asher Abrams has his ADHD under control--most of the time--even if he asks a lot of questions, can be forgetful, and is often impulsive. But he's also creative and clever and fearless when it comes to standing up for the people he loves. Like his best friend, Gillian Benjamin. At least, she used to be his best friend until last summer when they had a huge fight, one that he's never quite understood. After he catches her shoplifting in the grocery store, Asher learns that Gilly's life has changed dramatically; her mom has disappeared, leaving her and her dad with nothing but a pile of debt.

When Gilly's period arrives unexpectedly at school, she is bullied. Asher is determined to normalize periods so no one gets shamed about this natural part of life. It doesn't bother him that he's a boy talking about the stigma around periods--that's the whole point, isn't it? Asher convinces Gilly to help film a movie about periods for his school passion project. When their silly PSA goes viral will their newly healed friendship be able to handle the attention?

Author Joanne Levy captures the heartbreakingly funny story of a remarkable protagonist living with ADHD. In pitch-perfect first-person narration, readers gain insight into the challenges and celebrations of this neurodevelopmental disorder. Asher's doodles, (semiotics like footnotes, sketches, storyboards) featured throughout the book, amplify the storytelling and give further insight into how Asher's mind works.

Author Biography

Joanne Levy is an acclaimed and prolific writer for tweens and teens. Her books regularly make state, province and library reading and prize lists. Sorry For Your Loss was a finalist for the prestigious Governor General's Award for Young People's Literature and won the Canadian Jewish Literary Award. She was inspired to write How to Walk a Dog when her husband was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult. Joanne's most recent project is the New York Times bestseller Let it Glow, co-written with Marissa Meyer.