Second grader Grace's Aunt Lily is a writer with whom Grace spends a lot of time because her parents are so busy. Is Grace a writer too? She's learned some great words from Aunt Lily, and some things about writing from listening in when Aunt Lily's writing group meets, but she doesn't think of herself as a writer. Aunt Lily, in the meantime, is struggling with writer's block. Thinking an assistant might help, she places an ad and ends up hiring Rex, a dog belonging to a magician. Rex can't talk, of course. But he can read, and type on a computer. His calm presence and the inspirational quotes he finds online help get Lily back on track and inspire Grace to do some writing of her own. Just as Rex is far from a typical dog, Grace is far from a typical seven-year-old in this whimsical outing that never explains the magic of Rex, which only adds to its charm. Grace and her family are white in this story featuring occasional black-and-white illustrations. (Ages 7-9)

Newbery Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan has written a magical and funny tale about the joy found in using words, sharing stories, and loving a wondrous dog: Rex.

Grace’s aunt is a writer. She works with words every day and teaches Grace interesting words like “melancholy” and “delirious.”

But Lily is often “flummoxed” by her writing. Her stories don’t go anywhere, her desk is a mess, and her writer’s group can’t help.

So Lily posts an ad for an assistant: A writer of books needs an assistant, a coach, a helper, for inspiration and some magic!

The next day, Grace opens the door, and there is Rex: a Labrador retriever who will change Grace’s life, and Lily’s. The word “amazing” is an everyday word for Rex, who inspires Lily, and helps Grace find the words to write her own story.

One writer in a slump. One girl who thinks she can’t write. One wondrous dog who changes everything.

• A Magical Dog: Meet Rex, the Labrador retriever assistant who can arrange papers, find the perfect quote, and inspire a story—all without saying a word.
• Books About Writing: A gentle and funny story for kids that explores the creative process, from being "flummoxed" to finding the magic in storytelling.
• An Aunt and Niece Story: Join Grace as she learns about wonderful words from her writer aunt, Lily, and discovers the courage to share her own voice.
• The Joy of Words: Follow along as Grace discovers words like "melancholy" and "wondrous," and learns how to weave them into a tale of her own.