The Dog Knight

by Jeremy Whitley, Melissa Capriglione (Contribution by), Bre Indigo (Illustrator)

Overview

A nonbinary middle schooler saves a dog from bullies and is offered the chance to become the Dog Knight, protector of a magical pact between humans and dogs, in the first book of this humorous and heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel series from Jeremy Whitely, author of Princeless, and Bre Indigo, illustrator of Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy: A Graphic Novel.

Frankie knows who they are. They’re a drummer, they’re nonbinary, and they’re… the Dog Knight?

One day Frankie is a relatively normal middle schooler, with relatively normal challenges, like finding the perfect outfit to wear during their drum solo during the upcoming band concert. The next, they save a friendly golden retriever from bullies and suddenly find themselves in a giant magical doghouse, with a funny looking helmet, talking to a group of dog superheroes called the Pawtheon about a job offer.

If Frankie can prove that they possess the six dog virtues of loyalty, kindness, honesty, justice, stubbornness, and smell, they will be named the Dog Knight and be given the power to fight alongside the Pawtheon and save the world from the forces of chaos.

Maybe there is more to Frankie than they thought?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250756725
Publisher:	Feiwel & Friends
Publication date:	05/16/2023
Series:	The Dog Knight , #1
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	445,241
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	HL400L (what's this?)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

Jeremy Whitley is an author from Durham, North Carolina, who is responsible for the recent "Rainbow Brite" comic reboot and has written no less than thirty-nine issues of "My Little Pony" related comics. He is also the writer and creator of the Eisner nominated Princeless series and it's acclaimed spin-off Raven: Pirate Princess as well as Marvel's The Unstoppable Wasp and Future Foundation. He lives with his wife/editor Alicia Whitley and their two daughters Zuri and Amara.

Bre Indigo, illustrator of the graphic novel Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy and the online web-comic Jamie, is a black, queer, freelance artist and illustrator based in Orange County, California.

Melissa Capriglione, creator of the graphic novel Basil and Oregano, is a queer comic artist living in Indiana.

Editorial Reviews

04/14/2023

Gr 5–8—This first installment in a new series introduces readers to Frankie, a biracial middle school student who has recently come out as nonbinary. With the support of their mother, who presents as Black, Frankie overcomes bullying and the loss of cherished friendships in the wake of coming out. One day, after a series of peculiar events that involves saving their mom from a falling car, Frankie attempts to escape a particularly cruel intimidator and is knocked unconscious in the process. When they awake, they find themself donning the Helm of the Dog Knight—which allows its wearer to understand dogs—before the Pawtheon, a secret team of heroic dogs that protect the human world. Frankie then undergoes a series of trials to prove themself worthy of the title of the Dog Knight, including tests of loyalty, justice, and more. Frankie is an endlessly endearing and relatable character whom readers will root for from the very first panel, and the Justice League-like group of dogs Frankie meets are filled with humor and heart. The paneled artwork is energetic and entertaining, a natural fit for the clever dialogue and themes of self-acceptance, identity, and creation of healthy boundaries and relationships. VERDICT This action-packed adventure will find a home in many collections.—Olivia Gorecke

School Library Journal

2023-03-29
A dog-loving tween drummer discovers a magical canine connection.

After coming out to their supportive mom and (now ex–) best friend, Dallas, nonbinary Frankie Bryant faces bullying from Dallas and others that leaves them feeling unsure of where they fit. After two run-ins with a friendly golden retriever who always seems to be in the right place at the right time, Frankie hits their head and is transported to the Omniversal Doghouse, the palace of “the Pawtheon, the secret legion of dog heroes.” The Pawtheon lend Frankie a helmet that allows them to understand dog-kind. They learn of a magical alliance between humans and dogs: Humans care for dogs, and dogs protect humans from chaos-sowing, batlike gremlins. The Pawtheon have recruited Frankie as the next potential Dog Knight, connector and protector of the two realms. The catch? They have to successfully complete six trials, one for each of the dog virtues, back in the human realm while living with their dog-allergic mom. Readers will root for Frankie, whose desire to find their place will resonate. The rebuilding of Frankie and Dallas’ fractured friendship is careful and authentic. Sparse backgrounds leave space for expressive human and dog faces to shine. Frankie and their mom read Black; background characters are racially diverse. The gremlins use ungrammatical English, unfortunately making an implicit connection between grammar and morality, but quality queer representation and a strong narrative voice make this sweet, funny series opener a winner.

All hail the paw-some Dog Knight! (content warning) (Graphic fiction. 8-14)

Kirkus Reviews

03/27/2023

Middle schooler Frankie has just come out as nonbinary in this good-humored fantastical graphic novel by Whitley (the School for Extraterrestrial Girls series) and Indigo (Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy), the first in a series. Though they lose friendships and experience bullying following their coming-out, Frankie perseveres, unwilling to allow these challenges to overwhelm them. While fleeing from a bully, Frankie stumbles and is knocked unconscious. They eventually wake in the Omniversal Doghouse, a magical universe headed by the Pawtheon, a collection of the wisest dogs in the universe, who inform Frankie that they’ve been chosen to become the Dog Knight, the protector of humankind and animals. Guided by loyal pup Platinum, Frankie embarks on a series of trials designed to test their loyalty, kindness, honesty, justice, stubbornness, and... sense of smell. Platinum’s immediate trust of Frankie helps to ground the tween whenever they feel as if they don’t fit in their skin or their community. Indigo utilizes varied paneling to great effect, imbuing the illustrations with fluid movement and a spry energy that skillfully complements Whitley’s wry dialogue. Frankie cues as biracial (Black and white). Ages 9–12. (May)

Publishers Weekly

A YALSA Great Graphic Novel For Kids 2024

"A delightful story of fate-of-the-world friendship and adventure, filled with a ton of heart... and tails too." — Unbeatable Squirrel Girl author Ryan North

"The Dog Knight is a classic hero's journey with a unique, relatable hero wearing a very silly hat. I mean helm. And a lot of very charming dogs. I really like it, and I am saying that as an avowed cat person." — Dana Simpson, author of Phoebe and her Unicorn

"A well crafted story about the struggles of children who identify as nonbinary. The Dog Knight shows us that when we are true to ourselves and stand up for what’s right, everybody wins; A powerful lesson in leading by example, illustrated in spectacular fashion." —Andrew Aydin, coauthor of MARCH and RUN

"Quality queer representation and a strong narrative voice make this sweet, funny series opener a winner. All hail the paw-some Dog Knight!" — Kirkus Reviews

"The Dog Knight is an excellent addition to a necessary and growing canon and will fit in nicely among Molly Knox Ostertag's The Witch Boy Series or ND Stevenson's Lumberganes series." —BookPage

"In this good-humored fantastical graphic novel ... Indigo utilizes varied paneling to great effect, imbuing the illustrations with fluid movement and a spry energy that skillfully complements Whitley’s wry dialogue." — Publishers Weekly

"This middle-grade graphic novel takes readers on a delightful journey exploring gender identity and purpose. Crisp artwork with sharp coloring brings the expressive characters, especially the dogs, to life. At points goofy, endearing, and inspiring, this book shows the beauty of accepting yourself—and the excellence of dogs." — Booklist

“Frankie is an endlessly endearing and relatable character whom readers will root for from the very first panel, and the Justice League-like group of dogs Frankie meets are filled with humor and heart. The paneled artwork is energetic and entertaining, a natural fit for the clever dialogue and themes of self-acceptance, identity, and creation of healthy boundaries and relationships.” — School Library Journal

"Despite the presence of magical talking pooches, this journey of heroism and self-discovery feels grounded." —The New York Times

From the Publisher