Book Review of The Junkyard
The Children’s Book Review
The Junkyard
Written by Bryan Reilly
Illustrated by Rich Denver
Ages: 13+ | 191 Pages
Publisher: First Edition (2026) | ISBN: 979-8903103942
What to Expect: Stray dogs, community and teamwork, survival instincts, overcoming abuse, courage, and high-stakes strategy.
A gripping and emotionally resonant animal fantasy, The Junkyard follows a resilient community of abandoned dogs who must unite to defend their hidden sanctuary from a cruel owner, rival packs, and a vengeful wild wolf.
When Ninja, a gentle pit bull bred for the fighting ring, throws a match to escape her abusive owner, Mr. Fergusen, she is left for dead at the edge of the junkyard. Saved by Dodge—a wise German Shepherd who leads a cooperative, hidden society of strays in the northern yard—she is given a fresh start and the name Maytag.
However, the sanctuary’s fragile peace is quickly shattered by the territorial threats of Saab, the tyrannical leader of the southern yard’s Rottweilers, and Canis, a vengeful wild wolf stalking the fence line. When tragedy strikes, the dogs of the northern yard must put aside their fears and work together to orchestrate a brilliant, defensive stand to protect their home and finally live “off the leash”.
Exceptionally engaging, Bryan Reilly masterfully balances gritty, high-stakes action with heartwarming themes of loyalty and family. Written in an authentic, canine-centric voice, the characters interact heavily through scent, body language, and physical instinct, which is perfectly paired with lighthearted humor—particularly through Weber, a comedic pug whose dog-centric exclamations like “chicken grits and bacon bits” bring delightful levity to the dark narrative. While the resolution of the wild wolf subplot relies somewhat on a convenient, external intervention by a grizzly bear, the pacing remains incredibly tight, leading to a highly satisfying and clever climax that showcases the dogs’ ingenuity.
Potential readers should note that the novel contains graphic depictions of dog-fighting, physical animal abuse by humans, and moments of intense animal peril and violence.
The Junkyard is an outstanding and emotionally stirring adventure. Mature young adults, animal lovers, and fans of classic survival stories like Watership Down will find themselves thoroughly captivated by this inspiring tale of finding family and freedom in the most unexpected places.
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About the Author
Bryan Reilly is a marketing copywriter, content creator, and author of The Junkyard, a new middle-grade fantasy that once earned semi-finalist recognition in the ScreenCraft Cinematic Book Competition. His love for movies and books such as Watership Down by Richard Adams and The Body by Stephen King inspired The Junkyard, which began as an emotional pen-to-paper reaction to Star Wars: Episode I.
Bryan started ‘writing for his livelihood’ in 2005, after using corporate severance money to rent a New York City loft for the Unpublished Underground, an art gallery for aspiring writers. Opening and running an ‘underground loft’ was truly a unique experience. He learned how to edit collaboratively, bind and promote materials, and bid a hasty farewell to corporate severance money!
Bryan lives in Connecticut with his wife, son, and story-inspiring pit bull mix.
