Unique and Impactful: Read Our Review of Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang

Zadie Ma has a special talent for telling stories… and it seems that some of Zadie’s stories come true. Zadie’s dearest wish is to have a dog of her own and so she starts to write the story of a poor unwanted dog called Jupiter, who’s just waiting to be rescued by a loving girl like Zadie.

One morning when she’s supposed to be minding the family shop for her mother, Zadie sets off to look for Jupiter. The scene that unfolds isn’t quite the same as in her story but she does find a real dog, and his name is Jupiter. Once Zadie has rescued him, she realises she can’t just take Jupiter home because her mother won’t let her keep a dog. Luckily her bold new friend Sparrow lets Zadie keep Jupiter at her house till Zadie can work things out.

But a series of unlucky events means that Zadie can’t write the happy ending she dreams of for her story, and now she may lose her beloved Jupiter forever… Can Zadie’s most important story of all finally come true?

Gabrielle Wang is an author and illustrator, and the Australian Children’s Laureate for 2022 to 2023. Wang’s books include the suspenseful The Beast of Hushing Wood and the award-winning A Ghost in My Suitcase. Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon is her most recent novel.

This heartwarming story set in post-war Melbourne is about courage, friendship, the magic of stories and one girl’s unwavering love for her dog. It’s clear this is a personal story for Wang, with the front matter displaying a sentimental image of a young Gabrielle with her grandfather and dog Rusty. She dedicates the book to ‘Rusty, and all the other dogs who were lost and never found their way home.’

Part narrative, part graphic novel and part fable, Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon is a unique story that’s bound to start some thought-provoking conversations among young readers. In a digestible way, Wang touches on important subjects such as Australian history, racism, feminism and animal cruelty, making this book great for classroom discussions among middle and upper primary students aged 8+. The mixed mediums of storytelling are also effective and impactful.

Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon is a touching story that will make you laugh, cry and tug on your heartstrings at every turn of the page. This novel is one that’s going to stay with me for a while.

Buy a copy of Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon here.