100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Fast overnight NZ delivery 🚀 Don't forget Father's Day is this Sunday 📅

Dog Star

By Megan Shepherd
0.0 (0 reviews)
3.99 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 137 ratings, 39 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Laika, a stray known as a "Cold Dog," is taken from the streets of Moscow to a classified Soviet lab where she will be trained as a starflyer—one of the first animals launched into space during the Soviets' mission to outpace America. Twelve-year-old Nina, also a "Cold Girl," faces heartache when her best friend defects to America. When they meet in Nina's father’s lab, their bond grows, helping them uncover hidden secrets. Together, they must choose whether to break away or reach for the stars. Inspired by true events, Dog Star explores friendship, courage, and loyalty during a critical moment in history.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1999

International Supplier

This title is in-stock with overseas suppliers. While it is not available locally, we fly books in weekly from the US and UK to our Auckland warehouse for immediate dispatch.

AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for children interested in history, space exploration, and stories of friendship and bravery.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

This historical fiction adventure follows a girl's bond with Laika, the famous dog cosmonaut of the Cold War—by a Carnegie Medal Nominee and New York Times bestselling author!

Trust takes courage.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Trust takes courage.

Laika is a Cold Dog - a stray pawing the streets of Moscow until Soviet researchers take her to live at the top-secret facility. Nervous and alone, she learns she will be trained to become a "starflyer," an animal launched into outer space in the Soviets' race against American innovation.

Twelve-year-old Nina is also a Cold Girl, heartbroken after her best friend defects to America. When Nina and Laika meet in Nina's father's lab, their growing bond slowly warms the cold that has settled in each of their hearts. Together, they uncover a system of secrets and must decide if they too will separate from the pack, or rocket to the stars.

Inspired by the true story of Laika, Dog Star is a novel about friendship, personal agency, and the real meaning of love and loyalty.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

A NCSS Notable Book. Publishers Weekly praises Shepherd's "tautly paced historical novel" and compelling depiction of a dog and girl connected to space exploration. Kirkus Reviews calls it "a poignant story" illuminating a key moment in space history. Beth Rosania recommends it for its emotional insight and historical depth.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781250854018

Publisher: St Martin's Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 March 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: St Martin's Press

Illustration: selected black and white photos

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 135.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 177g

Pages: 224

Collections

Children's Books Children’s, Teenage and Educational Megan Shepherd

About the Author

Megan Shepherd is a New York Times bestselling author and Carnegie Medal nominee. She grew up in her family's independent bookstore in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is the author of many acclaimed middle grade and young adult novels, including the Madman's Daughter series, the Cage series, The Secret Horses of Briar Hill, and the Grim Lovelies series. She now lives on a haunted 125-year-old farm outside Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband and children, two cats, chickens, bees, and an especially scruffy dog. meganshepherd.com

Also by Megan Shepherd

View all
  • Collector's Edition: Hour of the Pumpkin Queen (Disney: The Nightmare Before Christmas)
    One year has passed since Sally wed her beloved Jack Skellington and stepped into her role as queen of Halloween Town. Even with Jack at her side, though, being a ruler isn’t easy, and Sally feels uncertain of her future. Her seams are stretched thin with her royal duties, her newfound family in Dream Town, and a desire to bring...
    By Megan Shepherd
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3199
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Nightmare Before Christmas (Disney: Deluxe Collector’s Edition)
    Relive Tim Burton’s beloved and utterly unique holiday classic in this evocative novelisation. Jack Skellington is the adored Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, but he has grown tired of leading the usual scares every year. Then he stumbles upon a mysterious tree-shaped door deep in the Hinterlands and falls straight into Christmas Town—an enchanting place like no other, full of...
    By Megan Shepherd
    Hardback
    $2800
    Elsewhere:
    $3199
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • New Release
    Collector's Edition: Shadow Over The Pumpkin Queen (Disney Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas)
    Can Sally save Jack from the shadows? The shadowy villain behind Halloween Town’s most recent troubles is still at large, and Sally, the Pumpkin Queen, won’t rest until she and her king, Jack Skellington, stop this enemy for good. But their foe makes the first move: their friends start disappearing, and before long, Jack vanishes, too. Determined to save her...
    By Megan Shepherd
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3599
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Secret Horses of Briar Hill
    An exceptional and moving novel about the power of the imagination from a New York Times bestselling author, illustrated by the winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal. Described by Michael Morpurgo as "a remarkable book": December 1941; Britain is at war. Emmaline has been evacuated away from the bombs to Briar Hill Hospital in Shropshire. When she gets there she...
    By Megan Shepherd
    Paperback
    Sold Out

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    By Katherine Rundell
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Matihe! Achoo! Matihe! Achoo!
    New Release
    Matihe! Achoo!
    What happens when a grumpy tupua has to sneeze? Matihe! Achoo! is a bilingual story about the tupua Mataoho and his connection to the volcanoes of Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland. It comes with an action song to engage young readers! He pūrākau e pā ana ki a Mataoho me ngā puia o Takamaki Makaurau. He tupua pukukino a Mataoho e noho...
    By Qiane Matata-Sipu
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    By Giselle Clarkson
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    Pre-order
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    By Mojang AB
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Buy to Win
    New Release
    Giant Heart
    Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...
    By David Hill
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • Protector of Beyond 1
    New Release
    Protector of Beyond 1
    Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...
    By Shara Curlett
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    By Graeme Base
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Little Kiwi Builder
    New Release
    The Little Kiwi Builder
    Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...
    By Tim Saunders
    Paperback
    $1899
    Elsewhere:
    $2199
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • You Choose Party Time You Choose Party Time
    New Release
    You Choose Party Time
    It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...
    By Pippa Goodhart
    Hardback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3400
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    When Nature Calls (Duck #2)
    New in 2026, the latest story from Duck, the quirky new children's series by million-copy bestselling author Matt Stanton. Do you ever wonder what animals think about humans? Do they feel they could do a better job running things? Would they ever try and take over? Duck, Mouse and Dog are alarmed that the adults in Redhill are being brainwashed...
    By Matt Stanton
    Paperback
    $1700
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    The Case of the Viral Video: Violet and the Velvets 3
    Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...
    By Rachael King
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • New Release
    Royalslinger
    K Pop Demon Hunters fans will love this! Graci Kim is back with the second book in her exciting and fantastical Slinger series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life. Praise for Dreamslinger: “A mind-blowingly original fantasy adventure—Graci Kim has done it again!”—Rick Riordan, New York Times #1...
    By Graci Kim
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

The Latest at Book Hero

View all