When Friendship Followed Me Home

by Paul Griffin

Paul Griffin (Narrator)

A boy’s chance encounter with a scruffy dog leads to an unforgettable friendship in this deeply moving story about life, loss, and the meaning of family
 
Ben Coffin has never felt like he fits in. A former foster kid, he keeps his head down at school to avoid bullies and spends his afternoons reading sci-fi books at the library. But that all changes when he finds a scruffy abandoned dog named Flip and befriends the librarian's daughter, Halley. For the first time, Ben starts to feel like he belongs in his own life. Then, everything changes, and suddenly, Ben is more alone than ever. But with a little help from Halley's magician father, Ben discovers his place in the world and learns to see his own magic through others' eyes.
 
Equal parts heartbreaking and heartwarming, this audiobook is a must-listen for dog lovers and fans of emotionally resonant middle grade novels like One for the Murphys and Okay for Now. 
 


"Full of pace and laughter, bruises and heart. Paul Griffin is the sort of writer you're torn between telling the whole world about and keeping all to yourself."—Markus Zusak, author of Printz Honor Winner The Book Thief

“‘Friendship’ is an absolutely beautiful, heart-expanding book.  I cried, but more than that I felt this giant balloon of love for everyone.  This story convinced me all over again that love and imagination are life’s biggest magic. It’ll make you want to grab hold of everyone important to you and lick them on the nose.”   —Rebecca Stead, author of Newbery Award winner When You Reach Me

"Some books change the way you see the world. Some change the way you breathe. This book will leave you breathless.This is Paul Griffin's best book yet—and that's really saying something." —Patricia McCormick, author of National Book Award Finalist Sold

• ISBN10: 0735207585
• ISBN13: 9780735207585
• Publish Date: 7 June 2016
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Listening Library
• Edition: Unabridged edition
• Format: Audiobook (CD)
• Duration: 5 hours and 30 minutes
• Language: English

Reviews

[Kelly]

When Friendship Followed Me Home is an incredibly poignant yet beautiful middle grade read that proves even in the darkest moments throughout our lives, someone is always willing to leave the light on.

From the first instance readers are introduced to Ben, you can feel how remarkable this young man is. He's only twelve, but such an old soul who now feels a sense of family thanks to Tess, a kindhearted speech therapist who adopted Ben two years prior. Their relationship was breathtakingly beautiful, so when their cosy little family of two soon became three, I was so emotionally overwhelmed and placed my faith in that When Friendship Followed Me Home wouldn't destroy me.

But it did, and I loved each and every moment.

Ben is compassionate and sensitive young man who not only is the target of an aggressive school bully, but is hesitant to form friendships as he and Tess plan to move to Florida shortly. So Ben spends his free time nestled within bookshelves at the library with Mrs Lorentz to keep him company. It's there where he discovers Halley her daughter, a girl with a bright personality, warm and wonderfully written, who is determined to fight her diagnosis.

The newly named Flip was a pure delight. A small, neglected dog who desperately deserved a forever home. Flip is cared for, loved and soon becomes apparent that Ben has become his world while charming everyone within his orbit. With his intellect and wonderful nature, Ben begins training Flip as an assistance dog for a children's reading program, in which children read to the loving little dog without judgement and building their confidence.

Then Ben's world is torn apart.

My heart ached and found myself distraught on Ben's behalf. I was so deeply invested in his character, that on several occasions I could barely read through my tears. The one constant throughout the book is Flip, Ben and his friendship with Halley, who are writing a fantastical novella together to cherish all the people who are in their lives and inspired by her librarian mother and father, who is a magician and illusionist.

As charming and enchanting as When Friendship Followed Me Home is, it's also absolutely heartbreaking and one of the most poignant reads you'll ever have the pleasure of experiencing. It's utterly lovely, yet explores issues of abandonment, domestic violence, homelessness, illness, grief and socioeconomic diversity. It was utterly beautiful and has stayed with me long after the final page was turned.
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2016/06/when-friendship-followed-me-home.html