Ferris
A charming, low-stakes companion to Mercy Watson that captures the chaotic joy of a dog's perspective without any real peril.
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The Heavenly Tenants
by William Maxwell
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 1992
A quiet, deliberately paced animal fable about coexistence that rewards close reading and will appeal most to kids who slow down for character nuance.
The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan
by Jasmine Warga
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2026
Quiet, character-driven story about an anxious kid learning that friendship means accepting someone (or somerabbit) on their own terms—funny without being silly, touching without being sappy.
You've Found Oliver
by Dustin Thao
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2025
A straightforward, honest story about unlikely friendship and neurodivergent representation that doesn't sentimentalize—the dog brings kids together, but they have to do the actual work of understanding each other.