For German shepherd fans!

There are a lot of different, interesting aspects to How I, Nicky Flynn, Finally Get a Life (and a Dog) by Art Corriveau.  Nicky's parents have divorced; he and his mom have moved to a not-real-great (or big) apartment.  Nicky's mom surprises him by bringing home Reggie, a German shepherd and former guide dog for the blind.  Initially kind of mad, Nicky ends up bonding with Reggie and trying to figure out why the dog was returned to the pound.  At the same time he's learning about guide dogs in general and Reggie in particular, Nicky is dealing with school bullies, a girl who's trying to be his friend, a mom who isn't dealing well with the divorce, and a dad who's ignoring him.  Told in Nicky's voice, the story is authentic; parts are a little funny, but when characters mess up...it still seems real.