Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon

Publisher details

Author
Gabrielle Wang
Publisher
Penguin
Genre
Children’s Fiction
Released
31 May, 2022
ISBN
9781761046513

Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon

Buy now

Retail partners

Synopsis

Recommended for ages 8+.

Meet Zadie Ma, a girl who writes magical stories that sometimes come true. Can Zadie bring to life her most important story of all... the one where she finds Jupiter, the dog of her dreams?

From one of Australia’s most esteemed and award-winning children’s authors and Australian Children's Laureate for 2022–23 comes a heartwarming story set in postwar Melbourne about courage, friendship, the magic of stories and one girl’s unwavering love for her dog.

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?

Reviews

Teacher's Notes: Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang

Review | Author Related

8 June 2022

Teacher's Notes: Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang

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

Review | Our Review

7 June 2022

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

A Magical Story: Read an Extract from Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang

Review | Extract

2 June 2022

A Magical Story: Read an Extract from Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon by Gabrielle Wang

Gabrielle Wang
About the author

Gabrielle Wang

Gabrielle Wang is an author and illustrator, and the Australian Children's Laureate for 2022 to 2023. Born in Melbourne of Chinese heritage, her maternal great-grandfather came to Victoria during the Gold Rush and her father was from Shanghai. Her stories are a blend of Chinese and Western culture with a touch of fantasy. Gabrielle’s first children’s novel, The Garden of Empress Cassia, won the 2002 Aurealis Award, was shortlisted for the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards and was a CBCA Notable Book. The Pearl of Tiger Bay was shortlisted for the 2004 Aurealis Award and The Lion Drummer was a Notable Book in the 2009 CBCA Book of the Year Awards. A Ghost in My Suitcase won the 2009 Aurealis Award, was a CBC Notable Book, was shortlisted for the 2011 Sakura Medal and received a Highly Commended in the 2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards. Her first young adult novel, Little Paradise also received a Highly Commended in the 2011 Prime Minister's Awards. Gabrielle's picture book The Race for the Chinese Zodiac (2010) illustrated by Sally Rippin and Regine Abos was a Notable Book in the CBCA Awards for 2011 and shortlisted for the 2011 YABBA and WAYBRA awards. Gabrielle has created two popular characters Poppy and Pearlie for the highly successful 2011 Our Australian Girl series. The Wishbird was a CBCA 2014 Notable Book and was shortlisted for the 2014 Australian Book Design Awards, Yabba Awards, Kroc Awards, Koala Awards, Cool Awards and Crystal Kite Award. Gabi’s books also include the suspenseful The Beast of Hushing Wood for middle readers, and a sequel to the award-winning A Ghost in My Suitcase, called Ting Ting the Ghosthunter. Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon is her most recent novel.

Books by Gabrielle Wang

Related articles

PODCAST: Sarah Trad on Hospitality and Building Her Dream House

Podcast

29 June 2026

PODCAST: Sarah Trad on Hospitality and Building Her Dream House

    Vote for the Better Reading Kids' Top 50 and go in the draw to win

    News

    26 June 2026

    Vote for the Better Reading Kids' Top 50 and go in the draw to win

      PODCAST: Joan Sauers on Film and Mysteries

      Podcast

      22 June 2026

      PODCAST: Joan Sauers on Film and Mysteries

        PODCAST: Victoria Purman on Journalism, Publishing and Vintage Books

        Podcast

        15 June 2026

        PODCAST: Victoria Purman on Journalism, Publishing and Vintage Books

          Q&A: Maya Linnell, Author of Sunrise at Sunny Cross Farm

          News | Author Related

          8 June 2026

          Q&A: Maya Linnell, Author of Sunrise at Sunny Cross Farm

            PODCAST: What Are You Reading? The App with Caroline Overington

            Podcast

            8 June 2026

            PODCAST: What Are You Reading? The App with Caroline Overington

              PODCAST: Francesca Albanese on War and Power

              Podcast

              1 June 2026

              PODCAST: Francesca Albanese on War and Power

                PODCAST: Dervla McTiernan on Ruthless Editing and Finding Home in Australia

                Podcast

                25 May 2026

                PODCAST: Dervla McTiernan on Ruthless Editing and Finding Home in Australia

                  What Should You Read Next? Let WAYR? The App Decide

                  News

                  19 May 2026

                  What Should You Read Next? Let WAYR? The App Decide

                    The Best Podcast Episodes You’ll Find on WAYR? The App

                    News | Events & Festivals

                    19 May 2026

                    The Best Podcast Episodes You’ll Find on WAYR? The App

                    COMMENTS

                    Leave a Reply

                    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *