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Zeus, Dog of Chaos
Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, the award-winning author of
A Dog Like Daisy,
delivers another heartwarming must-read middle grade novel for dog lovers. Equal parts funny and poignant, this book from the point of view of the service dog, Zeus, is perfect for fans of
Max
and
A Dog Called Homeless
.
Zeus comes from a long line of heroic dogs, and he dreams of glory as a K9 commander. But he receives a much more dangerous assignment—middle school! And as all good service dogs know, the only way to get through hostile territory is by being invisible.
Zeus’s new human, Madden, is diabetic, and he wants to be invisible, too. That’s hard to do with a huge German Shepherd at his side to alert him when his blood sugar drops. And it’s even harder because Madden makes this noise called music that draws attention. Zeus’s mission becomes clear: he must destroy music.
While Zeus’s training prepared him for his most important job—keeping Madden safe—he discovers the human world is complicated. As Madden dreams of winning the state band competition and tries to reconnect with his mom, the lieutenant, Zeus must learn that, sometimes, you need to stand out to fulfill your duty.
Zeus comes from a long line of heroic dogs, and he dreams of glory as a K9 commander. But he receives a much more dangerous assignment—middle school! And as all good service dogs know, the only way to get through hostile territory is by being invisible.
Zeus’s new human, Madden, is diabetic, and he wants to be invisible, too. That’s hard to do with a huge German Shepherd at his side to alert him when his blood sugar drops. And it’s even harder because Madden makes this noise called music that draws attention. Zeus’s mission becomes clear: he must destroy music.
While Zeus’s training prepared him for his most important job—keeping Madden safe—he discovers the human world is complicated. As Madden dreams of winning the state band competition and tries to reconnect with his mom, the lieutenant, Zeus must learn that, sometimes, you need to stand out to fulfill your duty.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2020
21 people are currently reading
2174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
March 13, 2020
Sweet, alert, funny Zeus…upon his graduation from obedience school, will he, like the other dogs in his Canine College be rewarded with a headline assignment—as a bomb-sniffing dog for the NYPD or part of a search-and-rescue team, perhaps? No, he is handed the toughest duty of all: Middle School! His person, Madden’s, diabetes must be carefully monitored. Thus, Zeus, a German Shepard trained to scent changes in Madden’s body, accompanies Madden to school, where Zeus’ nose “happens to be exactly halfway between tail and armpit on each one of those kids. It’s the ‘high-sniff’ zone.” When it comes to winning a band trophy, “Apparently . . . you hold it above your head and shriek. This seems odd to me, but humans make no sense whatsoever.” So, true, you lovely dog. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, whose chapter headings include such acute observations as, “Anger Smells Like Buffalo Chicken Wings.”
August 8, 2021
I gave it 5 stars because it is SO NICE as an adult T1D to see representation in a kids' book that is relatively accurate/main character/part of the story but not a sob story or a moral tale about taking inspiration from disabled people. The writing is also great--the author nails Zeus's doggie voice and ties everything together very well. My favorite line was "Musicians have to blow their way through awful to get to awesome." A good life philosophy.
Now go read Sal and Gabi because I'm so happy that there are TWO "type 1 diabetic" middle grade novels out there that I loved reading. Representation matters, and the T1D stuff was pretty great. There were a couple places I thought "That's not how I do it" but everyone is different and it wasn't just wrong. My only caveat is that I do NOT know about service dogs except that interacting with them in any way without permission from their owner, or expecting them to act like casual pets, is very wrong, so I don't know how people with service dogs would feel about the book.
Now go read Sal and Gabi because I'm so happy that there are TWO "type 1 diabetic" middle grade novels out there that I loved reading. Representation matters, and the T1D stuff was pretty great. There were a couple places I thought "That's not how I do it" but everyone is different and it wasn't just wrong. My only caveat is that I do NOT know about service dogs except that interacting with them in any way without permission from their owner, or expecting them to act like casual pets, is very wrong, so I don't know how people with service dogs would feel about the book.
June 17, 2020
Zeus has just graduated from service dog school as the valedictorian. When the assignments are given out, he is surprised to be given a job as a diabetic alert dog. He is even more surprised when his assignment doesn't want him around and only tolerates him so he can join band. What follows are Zeus' attempts to make Madden (his assignment) invisible. What also follows is chaos which is the opposite of order which this German shepherd service dog abhors. I really liked Zeus as he struggled to label his world to make it understandable. I also loved his statement that language speaks to the mind while music speaks to the soul.
March 3, 2021
I really enjoyed this middle grade novel narrated by a service dog named Zeus, a German Shepherd who has been specially trained to detect blood sugar abnormalities. He is assigned to work with Madden, who doesn't really think he wants or needs this dog, who makes him stand out at school. The dog is a very funny narrator, since there are many things he misunderstands with comic results. Kids will also learn about what it is like to live with juvenile diabetes and may develop empathy for kids with disabilities.
June 21, 2020
I loved this story!
It's a lovely and sweet story and, being diabetic, I liked the main character being a diabetic child.
There's a lot of information about service dog and I strongly recommend this book.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's a lovely and sweet story and, being diabetic, I liked the main character being a diabetic child.
There's a lot of information about service dog and I strongly recommend this book.
Many thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 7, 2021
2022 Children's Sequoyah Master List
August 24, 2020
What an awesome book! I will recommend this book for any dog lovers, music and band lovers, anyone wanting a humorous book, or anyone looking specifically for a book with diabetes as a subject. This was a quick read and easy to get through. I’m not usually a fan of anthropomorphic books but the “dialogue” wasn’t so bad and the humor kept the pace of the book moving. And there was a nice mix of people conversations as well. There were a few things that happened that I don’t think would have happened with a highly trained service dog, but that’s what provided the humor so I just didn’t dwell on that. Overall, a really good book! Favorite Quote: “ my past is like my tail; it is behind me. And like my tail, my past gives me balance, it helps me move and maneuver around the world. . . .My future is my nose. It leads me where I need to go.”
August 10, 2020
My niece and nephew (6 years and 9 years) LOVED having this book read to them! Good in opening dialogue about service animals and juvenile diabetes. They loved that it was from the perspective of the dog.
May 10, 2024
Tubb’s newest dog book is a mixture of truly awesome and frustrating. Zeus is a unique service dog with an assignment that most people aren’t familiar with—He is the companion to a diabetic who needs help recognizing the instance of high and low blood sugar. Another interesting and not widely known practice revealed in this novel is that some service dogs are trained within prison walls and by specially selected inmates. The best part, however, is how music is woven throughout this story of a boy, his dog and his disease. Tubbs obviously knows how music can thread itself into a person’s heart and soul and touch lives and her final concert scene is fabulous. The downside of “Zeus,” at least for this nearly 50 year Type I diabetic who also plays a brass instrument like Madden, is some of the misleading and sometimes inaccurate information about the disease. Most students will never know or care that holding a tuba against an insulin pump doesn’t hurt, the act of simply playing an instrument in and of itself does not lower blood sugar, insulin pumping into the body doesn’t sting, bed-wetting is not a typical problem for diabetics, or that it is actually pretty easy to hide an insulin pump within clothes. I do and therefore will not be purchasing this book for my libraries, but others may need to consider it for those in grades 4-7. Thanks for the dARC, Edelweiss.
April 29, 2020
Oh, my, goodness! Readers are going to LOVE Zeus! Typical German Shepherd troublemaker! Super smart! Lovable! Insecure! I could not put this book down! There were so many notes that hit in this book. Let’s start with the fact that the story is told from the perspective of Zeus. Now, I know the author is a dog lover but to try to get in the head of a dog? I feel that takes some courage and Tubb did not disappoint. This story was so uniquely and splendidly told. Not only did Tubb tackle that perspective but it also takes place at a middle school. I. Feel these were my hardest of year’s growing up. Not only did she manage to deliver an authentic dog’s perspective, but I found myself rooting for Madden and scolding Zeus with every turn of the page. I loved this book from the first page to the last. Filled with witty comments and incredible wisdom and insight, I truly believe this is a book every middle grade reader should pick up and enjoy! Thanks to author Kristin O’Donnell Tubb for the ARC.
June 5, 2020
I don't read a lot of dog/animal books, so I did not have a lot of expectations when I started Zeus, Dog of Chaos. I will gladly say now, that I had so much fun reading it, from start to finish. It was clever, sweet, and fun. Zeus's narrative voice was charming and hilarious. From the beginning, you feel compelled to root for Zeus and his human partner, Madden, as they get to know each other and learn to work together. There are moments throughout that will toy with your emotions, from misunderstandings that will make you wring your hands to triumphs that will fill your heart. Reading Zeus, Dog of Chaos also taught me a lot about service dogs, juvenile diabetes, and even life as a middle school band kid! There are middle grade books that I remember clearly, even years after reading them, because they introduced me to aspects of life with which I was unfamiliar. I know Zeus, Dog of Chaos will be one of those books as well.
January 5, 2020
Don't let the cover fool you, it's a great read.
Cute story, great voice for the dog and a wonderful wealth of knowledge for diabetes and service dogs. It was a fun read and I would recommend it for anyone who is afraid to stand out because they are told they shouldn't. It is a remarkable tale about embracing who you are and not being afraid to be the best you. I only gave it four stars because there were a few moments when the voice (the dog is the first person narrator) didn't feel truly genuine. Granted, no one truly knows what goes through a dog's mind, but it's safe to assume it's not always 100% human sounding.
I enjoyed this book and hope many other readers find joy in the story too. I would advise adding it to your reading list if you like dogs and middle grade novels.
Cute story, great voice for the dog and a wonderful wealth of knowledge for diabetes and service dogs. It was a fun read and I would recommend it for anyone who is afraid to stand out because they are told they shouldn't. It is a remarkable tale about embracing who you are and not being afraid to be the best you. I only gave it four stars because there were a few moments when the voice (the dog is the first person narrator) didn't feel truly genuine. Granted, no one truly knows what goes through a dog's mind, but it's safe to assume it's not always 100% human sounding.
I enjoyed this book and hope many other readers find joy in the story too. I would advise adding it to your reading list if you like dogs and middle grade novels.
June 30, 2021
Sweet book of a dog taking care of a boy with diabetes. To do this he tries all kinds of ways to get the boy out of music even though he knows it is not the right way. This is a great book for kids learning about a dogs help.
June 8, 2021
I've been on a service dog reading kick lately and picked up this book. At first, I didn't agree with Zeus's first person voice- only because I raise Guide Dogs for the Blind and have imagined a dog's voice a little differently. But I found that the more I read, the more I completely accepted his voice and loved his story. When Zeus receives his assignment as a diabetic alert dog to a middle school boy, his mission is clear: stay invisible. But in conflict to this mission, Madden loves music and plays the tuba, despite the fact that it makes him the opposite of invisible and the exertion of playing affects his blood sugar. So Zeus quickly concludes that in order to complete his mission, he must destroy music! I laughed out loud at Zeus's attempts to destroy music and was moved by how he changed as a character throughout the story. I loved the chaos theory and how it was incorporated in the story. The relationship between Madden and his mom is complex and well done. This is a book I will be recommending to many students! #LitReviewCrew
February 26, 2023
Initial reaction. Really liked the book as an authentic and sincere education in an important relationship from which myself and the vast majority of readers would benefit.
I read at the end that it was considerately put together and properly researched.
I then read K's 1 star review which did somewhat dampen my enthusiasm and do agree that Zeus's chaotic behaviour would probably not be acceptable in the real world - given the stringent requirements set for such highly trained and intelligent canines.
Overall I think this still a new and rewarding area of empathy for adults and children alike and a worthy inclusion in any reading list.
The anthropomorphic narration through Zeus is well written, thoughtful and subtle. I was looking up Superstition by Stevie Wonder on Google wondering why Zeus labels it superstitious - and immediately had answer in the lyrics.
It probably never aspired to the pinnacle heights of Jack London's peerless canine writing - but as already mentioned - I think this is worthy and educational and a good read.
I read at the end that it was considerately put together and properly researched.
I then read K's 1 star review which did somewhat dampen my enthusiasm and do agree that Zeus's chaotic behaviour would probably not be acceptable in the real world - given the stringent requirements set for such highly trained and intelligent canines.
Overall I think this still a new and rewarding area of empathy for adults and children alike and a worthy inclusion in any reading list.
The anthropomorphic narration through Zeus is well written, thoughtful and subtle. I was looking up Superstition by Stevie Wonder on Google wondering why Zeus labels it superstitious - and immediately had answer in the lyrics.
It probably never aspired to the pinnacle heights of Jack London's peerless canine writing - but as already mentioned - I think this is worthy and educational and a good read.
September 7, 2020
This is a book aimed at a middle school audience but I found it to be absolutely delightful. Madden simply wants to blend in with the other students in his middle school. Bringing a service dog to school makes that impossible. Zeus is the smart and funny canine who has been trained to alert Madden when his diabetes is causing either spikes or drops in blood sugar. Madden however is resentful that his mother insisted on getting the service dog since he thinks he can manage his diabetes himself.
The story is told from the point of view of the dog who takes his mission seriously but makes some mistakes along the way. The characters and situations are well drawn and mostly believable. The story itself gives a realistic picture of the difficulties faced by a young teen with a diabetes. I highly recommend it for kids AND adults, especially people who love German Shepherds as I do.
The story is told from the point of view of the dog who takes his mission seriously but makes some mistakes along the way. The characters and situations are well drawn and mostly believable. The story itself gives a realistic picture of the difficulties faced by a young teen with a diabetes. I highly recommend it for kids AND adults, especially people who love German Shepherds as I do.
October 12, 2021
Kristin O’Donnell Tubb is one of the most delightful people. Students love her dog books. My son was a big fan of Hank the Cowdog and this book reminded me a lot of Hank. Besides being a silly dog, he is also trained by prison inmates (information about this in the Author’s Note at the end) to be a diabetic alert dog. He wants an important job and isn’t thrilled to be assigned to a middle grade diabetic. The information how dogs smell sugar or salt in blood was super interesting. It is wonderful to have this information explained to students!
He values labels and learns labels might not always be true.
People can smell one teaspoon of sugar in a cup of tea.
Dogs can smell that one teaspoon of sugar in a pond.
He values labels and learns labels might not always be true.
People can smell one teaspoon of sugar in a cup of tea.
Dogs can smell that one teaspoon of sugar in a pond.
November 28, 2022
With humor and heart, this novel showcases Zeus, a service dog who has been assigned as a diabetic alert dog to Madden. But Madden's love for playing tuba in middle school band conflicts with what Zeus perceives as Madden's goal to stay invisible. And because Madden's blood sugar drops when he plays the tuba, Zeus assumes his assignment means he must destroy music.
When Zeus realizes music is "emotion in sound. It is giggles and tears and sighs and wishes ...", he thinks, "DRAT YOU, MUSIC! I'M ON TO YOU! STOP WEAVING YOUR MAGIC ABOUT!"
Zeus helps Madden navigate his illness through experiences with band, friendships, his fragile relationship with his mother, and his crush on Ashvi. This beautiful book is both fun and funny. I highly recommend it.
When Zeus realizes music is "emotion in sound. It is giggles and tears and sighs and wishes ...", he thinks, "DRAT YOU, MUSIC! I'M ON TO YOU! STOP WEAVING YOUR MAGIC ABOUT!"
Zeus helps Madden navigate his illness through experiences with band, friendships, his fragile relationship with his mother, and his crush on Ashvi. This beautiful book is both fun and funny. I highly recommend it.
April 5, 2020
ZEUS, DOG OF CHAOS by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb is delightful. Zeus, newly graduated service dog, is charming. It is a joy to view the world through his eyes (and nose and tail)! I loved watching Zeus try to destroy music in his misguided attempt to save his boy. Zeus will find his way into many readers' hearts. I think fans of Gordon Korman will enjoy this clever, funny story with such a special narrator.
March 24, 2021
I'm a huge fan of dog stories and this one did not disappoint. Zeus is paired with a middle school boy who has Type I Diabetes and plays the tuba in his middle school band. I loved the mistaken "mission" by Zeus to try to stop music so he and his boy can remain "invisible." Funny, tender, entertaining, page after page. So creative and endearing. I'll recommend this to anyone looking for a laugh-out-loud dog book or anyone who loves music!
March 15, 2022
This hilarious book is written from the dogs perspective and it’s amazing. The misunderstandings between different species make for great comedic material. The serious topics of juvenile diabetes, parent-child relationships, and a bit about death are realistically discussed and balance out the funny parts.
If you have a middle grader who loves dogs and has a great sense of humour, this book is perfect.
If you have a middle grader who loves dogs and has a great sense of humour, this book is perfect.
April 17, 2022
As top dog in his training program Zeus dreams of glory: bomb sniffer, K9 leader, or search-and -rescue. But instead he receives an equally dangerous assignment - middle school, as a diabetic alert dog to Madden. Turns out dog and boy have a lot in common: both want to avoid attention, which is why Zeus must destroy the thing that makes Madden stand out - music. Full of hilarious situation comedy and lots amusing observations.
February 12, 2023
I loved this book. It’s written from the dog’s perspective, and he has some of the funniest observations and the most beautiful way of describing things. I especially love the way he talks about music like it’s a living thing you can see. It reminded me of The Phantom Tollbooth in that respect. This is also a good book to understand more about diabetes and what people have to go through to manage it. This is another book I read with my 5th grader, but I truly enjoyed it as an adult.
April 15, 2025
My family had a great time with this book. My 6-year-old put it on hold at the library without knowing anything beyond the fact that it involves a German Shepherd. It was a bit too advanced for him to read himself, so I read it to him.
My wife and I both found delightful moments of laughter in the process, and even the 3-year-old didn’t want to miss anything. And I did learn a lot about service animals in the process. Good stuff.
My wife and I both found delightful moments of laughter in the process, and even the 3-year-old didn’t want to miss anything. And I did learn a lot about service animals in the process. Good stuff.
April 26, 2021
Animal POV, middle school, funny, family relationships, marching band, plot driven, gentle boy/girl crush
Madden has Type 1 diabetes and his mom insists he get a diabetic alert dog, Zeus, who is out to ensure Madden is anything but outstanding. This means trying his best to keep Madden from excelling at tuba in marching band by sabotaging. Hilarity ensues.
Madden has Type 1 diabetes and his mom insists he get a diabetic alert dog, Zeus, who is out to ensure Madden is anything but outstanding. This means trying his best to keep Madden from excelling at tuba in marching band by sabotaging. Hilarity ensues.
March 10, 2021
I didn't like the story thread about trying to destroy the music, but I loved everything else about this book! Laugh-out-loud funny at times, sweet and poignant at times, if a dog could write a book, it would sound a lot like this. A really wonderful read!
March 19, 2021
Zeus, a trained service dog, gets assigned to Madden, a tuba playing middle schooler who has diabetes. Trouble abounds, but It all comes right in the end. I think the kids will live this one as much as they did A Dog Like Daisy. A good fit for 3–5th graders as well as middle schoolers.
July 5, 2021
This book is delightful!
I didn't want to love it.
But Zeus dragged me into the story!
He is such a strong, loveable, flawed but hard-working main character! 🐶
Well, Madden is too. You'll have to read it to understand.
I didn't want to love it.
But Zeus dragged me into the story!
He is such a strong, loveable, flawed but hard-working main character! 🐶
Well, Madden is too. You'll have to read it to understand.
December 15, 2019
My dad got an advance copy of this book at a conference. I liked it because the dog helps someone, and he tries to destroy music because he doesn't like music. That was funny.
June 7, 2021
Normally I am reluctant to read books narrated by animals, but Zeus is a likeable character. Loved the humor of the book too.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews