Just Gus - (Best Friends Dog Tales) by McCall Hoyle

About the Book

After guardian dog Gus is injured defending his flock of sheep, he is sent to recuperate and heal with a young boy, Diego, whom Gus finds he can help by learning how to work as an emotional support animal.

Book Synopsis

Return to the world of devoted working dogs and the humans they love in a new book from the best-selling author of Stella.

Gus is a livestock guardian dog with one job--protecting his farm from coyotes and foxes. He likes keeping the sheep, the chickens, and his humans safe, and he's very good at it.

One day, Diego and his dad come to visit the farm, and Gus immediately connects to the small boy. They both like to sit still and enjoy the quiet, and Gus can tell that Diego likes being around a gentle giant of a dog, that it helps relieve the boy's constant worry.

When Gus detects the scent of a bear in the woods, he rushes to protect his flock, injuring his leg in a fight with the dangerous beast. Wounded, Gus needs to rest and heal away from his sheep, so he doesn't risk reinjuring his leg. Diego suggests Gus come home with them to the North Carolina coast.

Suddenly, Gus is thrust into a new world of saltwater and sand and neighbors who don't appreciate the presence of a large guard dog, like the neighbor who reminds Gus of his first owner--the junkyard man with the heavy boots.

Gus realizes Diego might need a friend as much as his sheep need a protector, but if he can't learn to control his instincts, like barking and patrolling the neighborhood, Gus might lose his chance to stay in his new home. If he can't protect the farm or his boy, Gus worries he might never find his place in the world.

Just Gus is a tender story of belonging and of two friends who learn they are better together than they were alone.

Review Quotes

2026 Nominee-- "Arizona Grand Canyon Reader Award" (12/13/2024 12:00:00 AM)

2024-25 nominee-- "Volunteer State Book Award" (8/7/2024 12:00:00 AM)

2023 Gold Winner for Juvenile Fiction-- "Foreword Indies" (6/7/2024 12:00:00 AM)

Nominated for the 2024-2025 Crown Award-- "Triple Crown Awards"

Selected as a "recommended title" and a "top pick"-- "2023 Kansas National Education Association's Reading Circle Commission"

2025 nominee-- "Utah Beehive Children's Fiction Book Award"

"A tale just right for dog lovers. Gus is a Great Pyrennes, bred to protect, but has always longed for his own person. Hoyle quietly unleashes a barking good tale. It's charm is due to Gus and a real love of dogs. Allows each person involved dignity and respect. Peaceful conflict resolution is showcased throughout in thoughtful non-didactic ways."-- "School Library Journal"

"Delightful. I really liked the way this book dealt with the delicate subject of social anxiety and made it relatable."-- "Compass Book Ratings"

"Through Gus' lightly anthropomorphized thoughts (he carefully reports all human conversations he hears despite not necessarily understanding everything), Diego's overwhelming anxiety is apparent but is eased through his bond with Gus, and soon the dog realizes he has a new purpose as an emotional support animal for Diego. This is a comforting, quiet tale of a working dog slowly transitioning into a new life. Featuring a lovable animal protagonist, a relatable and persistent child trainer, and dog-training information, it's a compelling read. A gentle portrayal of a canine protagonist adjusting to a new role."-- "Kirkus"

About the Author

McCall Hoyle is an award-winning author and teacher librarian. When she grows up, she'd also like to be a professional dog trainer. She writes heartfelt books for kids of all ages and believes one of the best ways to spread hope and share her heart is by writing about the special bond between dogs and their humans. When McCall isn't writing or teaching, you can find her with one of her four-legged friends training for agility, obedience, or dock diving--or perhaps chasing make-believe bunnies with them at a lure coursing event in the foothills of the North Georgia Mountains she calls home.