ANSWERS TO DOG written by Pete Hautman, read by Pete Cross and GM Hakim

Pete Hautman’s ANSWERS TO DOG is a short-chaptered book that moves just as quickly on audio because of the narration skills of Pete Cross and GM Hakim. Pete Cross narrates the bulk of this audio, depicting eighth-grade Evan. Cross’s youthful tones picture the innocence rendered by the limited life experience of a boy who seems largely forgotten by his self-involved parents. Cross’ readings for Evan are contrasted with G M Hakim’s bass tones that come periodically in the narrative, sometimes in the same chapter. These easily distinguish the viewpoint of Samarkand, a border collie whose neglect by humans has demand that he must negotiate difficult situations. Clear in both narrations are the emotions of dog and boy, particularly their loneliness. Animal-loving middle grade listeners will hope for, and later will be rewarded with learning of their coming together by audio’s end. Two narrators seem to increase the fast pacing of this book. Find out more about this book and the audio in the purchase link below.