Bryan Reilly’s immersive novel The Junkyard concerns a group of stray dogs living in a junkyard and the cruel owner of the establishment who pits the strongest of them against one another in the barbaric sport of dog fighting.

When Ninja, a pacifist pit bull, intentionally loses a fight, she’s tossed out and left for dead by the mean junkyard owner, Fergusen. A group of roaming canines led by German Shepherd Dodge help Ninja recover. They rename her Maytag (based on the discarded item nearest to her when she was found) and welcome her into their fold in the northern part of the junkyard, where they have secretly taken up residence.

Meanwhile, on the yard’s south side, the aggressive Rottweiler Saab aims to take over the entire junkyard with the help of a one-eared wolf from the surrounding forest who seeks revenge for his father’s death. Soon, Maytag must decide whether to remain passive or help protect his newfound friends.

Reilly vividly paints this literary junkyard and the surrounding landscape with fine detail. From the mountains of tires to the walls of broken-down cars and appliances, his descriptions bring readers into the animals’ secret hideaways and tunnels. He also creates page-turning tension, via the brutality of dog fights, the blast of Fergusen’s “thunderstick” and other ominous occurrences. Readers will find themselves absorbed in the harsh battle between canines and humans.

The animals’ dialogue is natural and sometimes funny (“Sniff my butt, house dog!” retorts one dog when insulted by another). And Rich Denver’s full-color illustrations, scattered throughout, effectively complement the intricate, well-crafted prose.

While The Junkyard seems intended for middle-grade readers, the story—with its message of peace over violence, strength in kindness, and uniting with others toward a positive goal—should attract a much wider audience. Rich in canine characters, with its unique narrative told from their perspective, this emotional journey will entertain dog lovers of all ages.

Also available as an ebook.