Fine print: We are an independent review organization; we do not use generative AI for any textual content, nor do we accept compensation for book reviews. We are participants in the Westminster Books, Christian Book, Bookshop, and Amazon LLC affiliate programs; purchases you make through these affiliate links may earn us a commission. Read more here.
Glory and Gus stars a scrappy, mystery-loving girl and a slobbery, lovable bloodhound.
Gus and Glory by Sarah Guillory. Roaring Brook, 2025. 232 pages.
- Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12
- Recommended For: ages 10-15
Gloria St. Romain loves a good mystery, until confronted with one that’s all too personal: Why did her mom leave her in their Baton Rouge apartment, with the rent due and a stack of unpaid bills? Her dad, a long-haul truck driver, tells her Mom is “on vacation,” but Glory knows that’s not true. Her grandparents, Nana Pat and Pawpaw Jack, where she’s come to spend the summer, aren’t any more forthcoming. She can excuse Pawpaw Jack, who’s recovering from a stroke and never said much anyway, but Nana Pat is like all grownups who just don’t trust kids with the truth.
It looks like a very dull, unsatisfying summer until she encounters Gus at the local park: wrinkly, slobbery, and intent on smelling out Glory’s peanut butter sandwich. Could this be her first and only friend? That seems more likely a few days later, when Gus urgently guides the girl to his owner, an elderly man who has fallen through his back step and broken a leg and has to be rushed to the hospital. Her grandparents take some persuasion, but guess who gets to keep Gus in the meantime?
It’s doubtful that a bloodhound’s excellent nose will be helpful in tracking down a missing mom, but Gus proves his worth in other ways, like helping Glory make another friend—a human one this time. Though Mom stays missing, and all the clues Glory uncovers are unsatisfying, she will learn something about love: “Love was showing up. Love was standing next to someone when they were scared or imperfect. Love meant staying.” In her experience, a dog showed more staying power than either of her parents, but by the end her dad is starting to man up to his own responsibilities. And while Glory will always miss her mom, life can be fulfilling in all kinds of other ways.
Considerations: none
Bottom Line: A sweet and satisfying story of making lemonade from a big lemon.
Related Reading From Redeemed Reader
- Reviews: Missing moms are becoming more prevalent in middle-grade fiction. See our reviews of The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman, And Then, Boom!, and Quagmire Tiarello Couldn’t Be Better.
- Reviews: There’s no shortage of dog stories out there. See our reviews of Answers to Dog, Sled Dog School (starred review), and The Eyes and the Impossible (2024 Newbery medal). For entertaining nonfiction: Making Sense of Dog Senses and Trouble Dog.
- Reviews: We’ve reviewed a LOT of mystery books over the years. Check out The Lost Library and Sunnyside Plaza.
We are participants in the Amazon LLC affiliate program; purchases you make through affiliate links like the one below may earn us a commission. Read more here.
Stay Up to Date!
Get the information you need to make wise choices about books for your children and teens.
Our weekly newsletter includes our latest reviews, related links from around the web, a featured book list, book trivia, and more. We never sell your information. You may unsubscribe at any time.
We'd love to hear from you!
Our comments are now limited to our members (both Silver and Golden Key). Members, you just need to log in with your normal log-in credentials!
Not a member yet? You can join the Silver Key ($2.99/month) for a free 2-week trial. Cancel at any time. Find out more about membership here.