The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan

by Jasmine Warga

From the Newbery Honor-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Rover's Story comes the moving story of a cheetah who forms a friendship with a rescue dog–a bond that will change their lives forever. Perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Rosanne Parry.

Finnegan is a rescue dog with a broken heart.
Chase is an anxious cheetah cub, newly orphaned.

The two animals couldn't be more different. But one day, they are brought together for the unlikeliest of Finnegan must help Chase gain the confidence she needs to perform as part of an educational program for children at a zoo.

Finnegan and Chase have each suffered losses and have trouble trusting. Yet somehow, they are just what the other needs. But if Finnegan isn’t able to help Chase overcome her fears, he won’t just be letting Chase down–he could be risking his new home as well.

Inspired by true stories from zoos across the country, award-winning author Jasmine Warga creates a deeply moving tale about how the power of friendship can transcend anything – even species.

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens

Unknown Binding

Expected publication January 1, 2026

About the author

Jasmine Warga is a writer from Cincinnati, Ohio who currently resides in Chicago, Illinois. She is the internationally bestselling author of My Heart and Other Black Holes and Here We Are Now. Her books have been published in over twenty-five countries and optioned for film. Her debut middle grade novel, Other Words For Home, will be published in Spring 2019. Jasmine lives in an apartment filled with books with her husband, two tiny daughters, large dog, and mischievous cat.


**I am only on Goodreads when one of my publishers sets up a Q&A for me, so the best way to contact me is through my website: www.jasminewarga.com or on twitter: @jasminewarga. Thank you so much for reading my books!**

Reviews

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful story of friendship between a young, orphaned cheetah and her canine buddy. Based on strategies utilized at zoos and in wildlife rehabilitation centers, this pairing gives both animals the companionship they crave and aids in training cheetahs to demonstrate their athletic prowess in programs designed to increase support for cheetah conservation projects. And in Jasmine Warga’s fictionalized version, gives her dog a second chance at finding a new home.

Chase’s insecurities after losing her mom are assuaged by Finnegan’s presence but he struggles with his own for a bit longer. Warga allows her two animal characters to communicate with each other and lets readers in on their feelings as their friendship advances and they begin training for their presentation. Finnegan struggles with a few additional fears-storms cause him to lose control and in his past, this led to some destructive behavior leading to the loss of his first home and his new home with animal trainer Basma and her boyfriend Ryan is beginning to look shaky. Warga develops unique personalities and behavioral traits for both her two animal characters as well as her human ones and certainly, if used as a class novel, character profiles and comparisons are possible. Back matter includes information on cheetahs and dogs as well as animal conservation programs modeled in the book.

Highly recommended for grades 4-7 and for those who love Rosanne Parry’s Voice in the Wilderness series, McCall Hoyle’s Stella, Millie, Just Gus and Ripley as well as Applegate’s One and Only Ivan series.

Thanks for the eARC, Edelweiss and NetGalley.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

EARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
This is a “must read” author for me, and her latest story didn’t disappoint. This lovely story about an unexpected friendship between a cheetah and dog is very touching. This is a perfect choice for lovers of the Ivan series.

[Kathryn Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Barnes and Noble for the ARC. This book was so cuteeee. It reminded me of one of my favorite books as a kid, Unlikely Friendships, which was about all kinds of surprising animal pairings. I knew about the benefits of cheetahs having dogs as their emotional support friends, so it was super fun to read about it. I think the depiction of anxiety and overthinking was EXTREMELY accurate and made me feel seen, even if it was coming from a cheetah and a dog. I think children will enjoy this book and it’ll be formative for them because they’ll realize that it’s okay to make mistakes and people won’t (or at the very least shouldn’t) stop loving them because of them messing up.

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a heartwarming book about the friendship between a dog and a cheetah cub. Ryan and Basma adopt Finnegan, a dog. Basma works with a cheetah cub, Chase, at the zoo, and feels Finnegan would be a good friend for Chase who lost his mom. Slowly the two become friends, and Basma begins training them for a show at the zoo. When Ryan says we’re moving, Finnegan panics and thinks he’ll be left behind. At the show, Finnegan wants to run off, but Chase says stay. Will Finnegan leave ?
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Luminous Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this touching tale, we meet the unlikely duo of Finnegan, a rescue dog with a painful past, and Chase, an orphaned cheetah. Inspired by true stories, this book explores the vital role of cheetah ambassador dogs in zoos across the nation, shining light on the educational programs that help foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for these beautiful creatures.

The power of friendship is at the heart of this story, and the bond that blossoms between Finnegan and Chase is so heartwarming. I especially enjoyed how skillfully Jasmine imagines and depicts the inner lives of these animals, inviting readers into their inner worlds filled with hopes, fears, and resilience.

This enchanting book is a perfect pick for young readers who enjoy animal stories, rich with themes of companionship and the journey of finding the courage to trust again!

Content for consideration:
Finnegan’s rescue parents, Basma and Ryan, are an unmarried couple who live together.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A moving MG book by the phenomenal @jasminewargabooks
🐆
Chase is a cheetah cub whose mother died when he was five months old. They live in a zoo where humans have been taking care of him since birth, but now that his mother is gone, Chase is anxious and wary of everything. Finnegan is a rescue dog who has found a home with a zoo keeper and her boyfriend, but struggles to trust that he is a good boy and deserves this forever home. When the two are brought together at the zoo they become fast friends, but can they trust those around them enough to fully heal?
🦮
Inspired by true accounts from zoos across the nation, Warga is able to show us a world where cheetahs, who are endangered, and rescue dogs can help one another so that all our animals are safe and loved and protected. This was such a sweet #novel that would pair well with The One and Only Ivan, The Wild Robot or The Eyes and the Impossible. This title is out November 30!

CW: animal death (Chase’s mom), animal attack, abandonment, anxiety

[Jasmine Shouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this with my 8-year-old, and we both really enjoyed this heartwarming story about friendship and healing from the past. The way that it's told allows middle schoolers and advanced elementary students to experience empathy for Chase and Finnegan on their respective journeys and enjoy the friendship that blossoms between them. It's also slightly educational as there are moments when cheetah conservation is talked about very factually.

I loved Ryan and Basma and the way Finnegan gets to see their relationship advance and be a part of their next steps, even as they were trying to help Finn recover. My 8yo said he liked the cheetah and the dog a lot.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

[Melissa Blizzard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unlikely Tale of chase and Finnegan is a delightful Mid-Grade novel about the magnificent bond between people, cheetahs, and rescue dogs. When Finnegan is found lost in the woods and adopted by Ryan and Basma, he is forever given an opportunity to begin his life again in a wonderful home. Basma decides to utilize his unique personality and strengths as she pairs him with Chase, an orphaned cheetah cub living alone in the confines at the local zoo. Young readers will adore this story as it weaves the perspectives of both Finnegan and Chase into a wonderful story about devotion and resilience.

[Middle Grade Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jasmine Warga does it again! I loved seeing things from Chase and Finnegan's perspectives. This was a beautiful story that gave me a lot to think about. I was all in from page one til the end.

Told from dual perspectives: an abandoned dog and a baby cheetah who lives at the zoo. Chase and Finnegan's paths cross and it's just what they both need to move forward from their traumatic pasts. This book reminded me a little bit of Pax and a little bit of The One and Only Ivan.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this heartwarming middle grade story about an orphaned cheetah and a rescue dog. There are wonderful facts about each animal included at the end of the book as well as an author's note describing the true stories she was inspired by. Fascinating!

[B.C. Salkind · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a super cute, middle grade tale of a cheetah and a dog who become friends and bond. It was a very cute story and an easy read and would be perfect for middle graders or potentially even younger readers if someone was reading them this. A great book all around!