Why am I passionate about this?

I write middle-grade fiction. I write funny thoughtful books where diverse characters, including those with disabilities, are featured prominently. My books often include dogs, and I promise you this right now, the dogs will always live!


I wrote

We Could Be Heroes

By Margaret Finnegan,

Book cover of We Could Be Heroes

What is my book about?

We Could Be Heroes is about Hank Hudson, who finds himself in trouble after an incident involving the boy’s bathroom…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

The books I picked & why

Book cover of Rescue on the Oregon Trail

Margaret Finnegan Why did I love this book?

I love it because it’s a time-traveling dog! What’s not to like? Ranger proves to himself and the friends he encounters that a scrappy, impulse-challenged dog can help you through the worst of times. Plus, it’s a series, so you know Ranger will live so that he can make it to the next book.

By Kate Messner, Kelley McMorris (illustrator),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Rescue on the Oregon Trail as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 7, 8, 9, and 10.

What is this book about?

Meet Ranger! He's a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day!

Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can't officially pass the test because he's always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam's family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done,…


Book cover of Secondhand Dogs

Margaret Finnegan Why did I love this book?

Who knew that some dogs could be so obsessed with power? Carolyn Crimi that’s who! She has created a super fun and engaging cast of dog characters with complicated motives and relationships. Dare I say it? It’s heartwarming, and I am not so jaded that I can’t be cheered up by heartwarming dogs. Spoiler: The dogs survive, but not all the people. Still, loss and grief are dealt with in age-appropriate ways.

By Carolyn Crimi,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked Secondhand Dogs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

A heartwarming-and heart-tugging-middle grade novel about love, loyalty, and what it means to be part of a family-from author Carolyn Crimi, with adorable illustrations by Melissa Manwill. Perfect for fans of A Dog's Life and Because of Winn-Dixie.

Miss Lottie's home was for second chances.

When she adopted Gus, Roo, Tank, and Moon Pie, Miss Lottie rescued each member of the pack-including herself, her helper, Quinn, and her reclusive cat, Ghost-and turned them into a family. But when a new dog, Decker, arrives and tries to hoard Miss Lottie's heart and home for himself, the pack's future is threatened.

At…


Book cover of A Dog-Friendly Town

Margaret Finnegan Why did I love this book?

Oh boy! It’s a dog-centered mystery where celebrity dogs rule, and when a jeweled collar goes missing, everyone is a suspect. I adored the twists and turns here, and you will wish your dog could stay at the enchanting bed and breakfast where the action unfolds. Heck, I wish I could stay there. 

By Josephine Cameron,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Dog-Friendly Town as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

Josephine Cameron's A Dog-Friendly Town is a delightful middle-grade cozy caper sure to excite dog-lovers and gentle mystery readers alike!

Twelve-year-old Epic McDade isn't ready for middle school. He'd rather help out at his family's dog-friendly bed n' breakfast all summer, or return to his alternative elementary school in the fall, where learning feels safe. But change comes in all shapes and fur colors. When Carmelito, California is named America's #1 Dog-Friendly Town, all the top dogs and their owners pour into Epic's sleepy seaside neighborhood for a week of celebration.

The McDades are in dog heaven with all the…


Book cover of Rez Dogs

Margaret Finnegan Why did I love this book?

Okay. I’m not always down on super heavy books. But this is a beautiful book, and the dog lives. Let’s focus on that. Told in verse, this book about a Native American girl staying with her grandparents during the pandemic dips into some difficult history and current event topics, but Bruchac’s faith in the power of stories and community makes it a compelling and memorable read.

By Joseph Bruchac,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Rez Dogs as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

****Four starred reviews!****

From the U.S.'s foremost Indigenous children's author comes a middle grade verse novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic, about a Wabanaki girl's quarantine on her grandparents' reservation and the local dog that becomes her best friend

Malian loves spending time with her grandparents at their home on a Wabanaki reservation. She's there for a visit when, suddenly, all travel shuts down. There's a new virus making people sick, and Malian will have to stay with her grandparents for the duration.

Everyone is worried about the pandemic, but Malian knows how to keep her family and community safe:…


Book cover of Ginger Pye

Margaret Finnegan Why did I love this book?

This is one of my all-time favorites. But it’s an old one. It was first published in 1951. It is adorable and funny, and I don’t think it’s ever been out of print. It’s about a boy who searches for his dognapped dog, Ginger Pye. No worries. Love will triumph!

By Eleanor Estes,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Ginger Pye as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 9, 10, 11, and 12.

What is this book about?

A heartwarming, yet quirky, story about a boy called Jerry whose much-loved puppy, Ginger Pye, goes missing. Jerry and his sister begin a desperate hunt for Ginger, who they're convinced has been stolen away by the stranger in the yellow hat. After months of fruitless searching the children are about to give up hope when a chance gust of wind reveals the villain to the children and Ginger Pye is saved. BLA book which has stood the test of time and deals with the special relationship between a boy and his dog in a fun and lively way


Explore my book 😀

We Could Be Heroes

By Margaret Finnegan,

Book cover of We Could Be Heroes

What is my book about?

We Could Be Heroes is about Hank Hudson, who finds himself in trouble after an incident involving the boy’s bathroom and a terribly sad book his teacher is forcing them to read. That trouble catches the attention of new girl Maisie Huang. Maisie has been on the lookout for a kid to help her with a very important mission: Saving her neighbor’s dog, Booler. Booler has seizures, and his owner, Mr. Jorgensen, keeps him tied to a tree all day and night because of them.

It’s enough to make Hank even sadder than that book does—he has autism, and he knows what it’s like to be treated poorly because of something that makes you different. But different is not less. And Hank is willing to get into more trouble to prove it.

Book cover of Rescue on the Oregon Trail
Book cover of Secondhand Dogs
Book cover of A Dog-Friendly Town

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,388

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in dogs, family, and time travel?

Dogs 426 books
Family 4,131 books
Time Travel 405 books