Guest Post: Michael Northrop + Rotten

I'm super excited today to share the blog with young adult author Michael Northrop as part of the promotional tour for his newest release, Rotten. As a massive dog lover myself, I can't wait to read this book and am madly in love with the guest post Michael has put together. I've often wondered (I've actually probably given more thought to this than is healthy and normal) what breed of dog I'd be, but I've yet to come up with an answer. I have boxers, so maybe I'll just say boxer? Except they have lots of energy and I'm spectacularly lazy, so basically I'd fail as a boxer. Awesome. Michael is kindly going to share with us what breed of dog the characters in this book would be, so I hope you all enjoy!

ROTTEN CHARACTERS: A BREED APART

A quick glance at the cover will tell you that the title character of my new book is a Rottweiler. Rotties are big, strong dogs, originally bred to guard cattle and pull carts. The other characters in the book, being mere humans, aren’t likely to do either of those things. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have distinctive, doggish characteristics. Here’s a look at how the cast would translate into the canine world.

JD: The book’s narrator is suspicious by nature and not a fan of too much yapping, but he’s determined, ultimately loyal, and not afraid to stick his nose into things.

The verdict: bloodhound.

JD'S MOM: Technically, she would be a bloodhound too—I’m pretty sure that’s how that works—but we are pretty far into the realm of unreality already so . . . Hardworking, patient, protective, and a little put upon.

The verdict: sheepdog.

JANIE: The only one who’d stand a chance at a dog show, Janie is also a crafty problem solver. Her breed needs to be elegant and smart.

The verdict: Sheltie.

RUDY: JD’s loyal best friend, Rudy is a natural for canine casting. He’s not quite as clever as a Sheltie (sorry, dude) or as suspicious as a bloodhound, and he likes to rile things up a bit.

The verdict: A rowdy Jack Russell terrier.

AARON: The big dog! Woof! A big, blue-eyed guy and leader of the pack, this one is easy.

The verdict: Siberian husky (the one out front).

MARS: Small, yappy, and maybe not entirely housebroken.

The verdict: a manic miniature pinscher. No offense to min pins, but they are notoriously yappy (and hard to housebreak).

GREG: Last but not least, JD’s uncle and the family lawyer. He’s loyal and helpful, if not especially dynamic.

The verdict: A legal beagle, perhaps?

• • • • • • • • • • 

ROTTEN

A troubled teen. A rescued Rottweiler. An unlikely friendship.

Jimmer "JD" Dobbs is back in town after spending the summer "upstate." No one believes his story about visiting his aunt, and it's pretty clear that he has something to hide. It's also pretty clear that his mom made a new friend while he was away–a rescued Rottweiler that JD immediately renames Johnny Rotten (yes, after that guy in the Sex Pistols). Both tough but damaged, JD and Johnny slowly learn to trust each other, but their newfound bond is threatened by a treacherous friend and one snap of Johnny's powerful jaws. As the secrets JD has tried so hard to keep under wraps start to unravel, he suddenly has something much bigger to worry about: saving his dog.

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Don't miss out on the rest of the tour! Full schedule is available here.