Zadie Ma wants a dog more than anything in the world, but her mama seems set against it. Will she achieve her heart’s desire? The overarching theme of Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon is simple, yet readers will soon discover that there is so much more to this middle grade novel.

Written by current Australian Children’s Laureate Gabrielle Wang, the book combines Zadie Ma’s third-person narrative, short allegories and a couple of graphic novel segments. The story is set in 1950s Melbourne, Australia, and references to life at that time are sprinkled throughout: Zadie doesn’t have a TV or landline (let alone a cellphone!); milk is delivered by horse & cart; children are caned at the local school; the impact of WWII is still being felt. Zadie, like the author herself, is of Chinese heritage, which adds another interesting dimension to the story. Through her 11-year-old protagonist and her family, Wang openly explores themes of otherness and belonging. The backdrop to this novel is a rich, rewarding tapestry that should give rise to plenty of discussion and learning.

Front and center of the book, though, is Zadie herself—a shy and observant girl, with a gift for telling stories that sometimes come true. She has few friends, so readers will cheer her on when she strikes up a friendship with her new neighbor, the popular, confident Sparrow. And celebrate with her when she finds and rescues the dog of her dreams, Jupiter. How will Zadie introduce her special pet to her mama, who has shown so much animosity towards the idea of a dog? I won’t give away too much here. Suffice it to say that a dramatic turn of events acts as an important catalyst for change for Zadie Ma and her family, in more ways than one.

Yes, it’s not just the backdrop to Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon that is rich and rewarding; the core story most definitely is too. This is a middle grade novel that will engage, inform and delight young readers and adults alike.

Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon
Written and illustrated by Gabrielle Wang
Puffin Books/Penguin Random House, 2022

ISBN: 978 1 76 104651 3

Reviews: Children’s Book Council of Australia, Momo Time to Read, Better Reading

Awards: NSW Premier’s Literary Awards 2023 shortlist, Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2023 shortlist, Queensland Literary Awards 2023 shortlist, CBCA Book of the Year Awards 2023 notable book

There are extensive teacher’s resources available on the publisher’s website here.

You can buy a copy of Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon here or find it in a library.*

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Laura Taylor is the founder of world children’s literature blog Planet Picture Book. She is a small business copywriter, NAATI-certified translator of French into English and member of AUSIT. When she is not writing, she is reading and spending time with her two young children. She occasionally tweets @plapibo and posts at www.planetpicturebook.com