Zadie Ma and the Dog Who Chased the Moon

Meet Zadie Ma; a girl who writes magical stories that sometimes come true. Can Zadie bring to life her most important story of all . . . the one where she finds Jupiter; the dog of her dreams? From the Australian Children's Laureate for 2022-23 and shortlisted for the Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children's Literature; 2023.

From one of Australia's most esteemed and award-winning children's authors and Australian Children's Laureate for 2022-23 comes a heartwarming story set in postwar Melbourne about courage; friendship; the magic of stories and one girl's unwavering love for her dog.

Zadie Ma has a special talent for telling stories . . . and it seems that some of Zadie's stories come true. Zadie's dearest wish is to have a dog of her own and so she starts to write the story of a poor unwanted dog called Jupiter; who's just waiting to be rescued by a loving girl like Zadie.

One morning when she's supposed to be minding the family shop for her mother; Zadie sets off to look for Jupiter. The scene that unfolds isn't quite the same as in her story but she does find a real dog; and his name is Jupiter. Once Zadie has rescued him; she realises she can't just take Jupiter home because her mother won't let her keep a dog. Luckily her bold new friend Sparrow lets Zadie keep Jupiter at her house till Zadie can work things out.

But a series of unlucky events means that Zadie can't write the happy ending she dreams of for her story; and now she may lose her beloved Jupiter forever.

Can Zadie's most important story of all finally come true?

Gabrielle Wang is the Australian Children's Laureate for 2022-23.