- Chapter Books
- Ages 8–12
- Adventure
I Am Rebel
Told from a farm dog's point of view, this stirring, award-winning animal adventure follows loyal Rebel as he sets out across a war-torn land to save his beloved human, no matter the danger.
- Best for8–12
- FormatChapter
- Length240 pp
- Read aloud~3 hr25 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Literary
Tone
- Exciting
- Heartwarming
- Adventurous
- Bittersweet
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Rebel is a good dog. He loves his simple, perfect life on the farm with his human, Tom, more than anything in the world. But when war comes too close and Tom joins the rebellion against the king's men, Rebel knows one thing for certain: war is dangerous, and he will stop at nothing to keep Tom safe. So begins a perilous journey across a land at war, as one small, brave dog risks everything to bring his human home. Told entirely from Rebel's loyal, big-hearted perspective, Ross Montgomery's stirring adventure is a story of devotion, courage and the unbreakable bond between a dog and the human he loves. Winner of both the Waterstones Children's Book of the Year and the FCBG Children's Book Award, it's a fast-moving, deeply moving tale for anyone who has ever loved an animal.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Pitched at 8-12s reading independently, and a strong read-aloud from about 8. Wartime peril gives it emotional weight for older readers, while the dog's-eye narration and short chapters make it very accessible for reluctant readers.
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- Best fit · 8–12
- Read aloud · 8–11
- Independent · 8–12
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
None
Reluctant-reader friendly
Very
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Gift-buying
- Reluctant readers
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: war or conflict, violence, death of character, animal harm.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
3 / 5 · Mostly fine
Graphic intensity
2 / 5 · Mild
Best for
- Animal lovers
- Dog stories
- Award winning
- Reluctant readers
Avoid if
- Sensitive to animal peril
- Wants light and funny
Particularly good for children who are…
- Pet death
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Rebel narrates his own adventure with fierce, funny devotion, and kids are gripped as he dodges soldiers and braves a war-torn land to save Tom. The dog's-eye view makes every danger thrilling and every reunion worth the wait.
- Surviving danger
- The underdog winning
- Talking to animals
- Friendship and belonging
Why parents love it
Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book of the Year, this is a beautifully written, page-turning story of loyalty and love told from a dog's perspective. It handles the peril of war with care, and reassuringly, the dog does not die, making it a safe, moving recommendation.
- Great writing
- Conversation starter
About the author
Ross Montgomery.
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