Zeus, a service dog trained to aid a diabetic, is assigned to middle schooler Madden.Zeus is initially nonplussed by his assignment; it must be a dangerous job for the valedictorian of his prison-trained canine class. But after he meets Madden and his controlling military mother, he begins to rethink his position. Madden benefits from the latest diabetes-treatment technology, but sometimes the pressure of trying to fit in overrides his best intentions. Wanting to appear like just a regular kid was one of the reasons he chose to take up tuba in the band, even though it's a physically taxing instrument. Because of the way it makes Madden stand out, Zeus becomes convinced that music, as much as he savors it, must be the enemy. He needs to protect his boy from it, leading to lots of humorous if well-meaning attacks on all things band-related, his motivation never registering with the humans in his life. This just adds to Madden's embarrassment of having a German shepherd accompany him around his school. Narrator Zeus, ever insightful in a canine way, does a hilarious job of deciphering English, assembling interesting interpretations of new words. Madden's fumbling attempts at a relationship with Ashvi, an attractive flute player,  add spice to this engaging tale. Zeus does not seem to understand racial difference, but Madden and his mom seem to be white; Ashvi's name suggests that she is South Asian.Fun and surprisingly informative. (Fiction. 9-12)

Gr 3-7 Readers who have always wondered what their pets are really thinking will love this cleverly written story from the perspective of Zeus, a German shepard service dog. Raised in a program that trains puppies before they are adopted by their owners, Zeus is a lovable and protective companion to Madden, who has Type I diabetes and experiences life-threating blood sugar fluctuations. Getting a service animal was his mom's idea, and their relationship gets off to a rough start. At first, Madden isn't keen on bringing Zeus to school where the animal draws attention to his health concerns. Zeus's training to alert Madden (and others) when his blood sugar levels are dangerous, is more evident in music class where the boy plays the physically taxing tuba. Amid all this, Zeus fears he will be reassigned. On the surface, the book appears to be a simple story about the developing bond between a boy and his service dog. But there are also so many unanswered questions along the way, particularly about Madden's strained relationship with his family. This intriguing subplot, along with short chapters, will keep readers engaged. Appended material from the author on the service dog training process reinforces some of the information introduced in the story. The author's decision to write the book from Zeus's perspective is fun and entertaining. Young readers who love dogs, play an instrument in band, or have experience with invisible illness will relate to Madden and his desire to just be a regular middle-school kid. VERDICT The story, the characters, and the irresistible canine protagonist will be enjoyed by a wide range of readers..Anne Jung-Mathews, Plymouth State Univ., NH