Content levels
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
"Hig is a survivor. He has survived the sickness that claimed his wife and family, and the trout he loved to fish. He is coping, just, in the new wilderness of post-apocalyptic America, because he has three things to live for - his dog, Jasper, his neighbour, Bangley, and his Cessna plane. But Hig's loneliness is becoming unbearable. When he picks up the distorted voice of another human on his radio, he is unable to shake the thought that there might be someone else out there. He knows he should resist looking - the journey will be risky and there will not be enough fuel to fly back - but he cannot. And so, one bleak day, he flies over the horizon in search of the truth..." --Publisher description.
Is The Dog Stars appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 16 and up.
This post-apocalyptic survival story contains moderate violence related to survival in a collapsed world, grief over family loss, and mature themes of isolation and despair, though with ultimately hopeful notes. Language is moderately strong.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include death, death of a loved one, and grief (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Teens interested in survival stories and post-apocalyptic fiction will be drawn to this contemplative story of one man's dangerous journey to find other survivors.