In “Walkin’ the Dog,” Chris Lynch tells the story of Louis, a boy who loves being home, has no friends, and will be going to the public high school after being home schooled. His father is a retired firefighter who bought a fishing boat and moved them to a seaside town. His mother is an activist whose mental health has been suffering, and she is in a facility working on regaining her equilibrium.

The family is having a really hard time without her stabilizing presence. Louis and his slightly younger sister Faye have a close relationship, but she wants him to have more friends. Because he doesn’t really know anyone, Louis has been dreading starting school in the fall, and with his mother not at home, his summer feels empty. But when he starts walking an acquaintance’s dog, Amos, and a dog-walking business seems to fall into his lap, things change.

One of Lynch’s wonderful talents is writing in first person and keeping the narrative heartfelt and filled with humor. Louis is a really funny person, and his running commentary is filled with wry observations and comments that make us smile. While he’s out walking the dogs, Louis ends up meeting new people, making friends, and changing.

Perhaps the irony is that while Louis’s mother was a person who protested everything she thought wrong with the world, abhorred capitalism and greed, and wanted to do noble things for others, it was when she was absent from Louis’s life that he most saw the value in her beliefs. His new friends and his sister reinforced the value of caring for others and helping those in need. There is also the question of Louis’s older brother, Ike, who seems like a mean thug for much of the story; but Lynch presents us with the thought that there might just be more to Ike than Louis realized.

One of the many truths in this story is that dogs make everything better. And that they never live long enough, and we love them much too deeply. The story is at times heartbreaking and at times truly touching. There are not twists or mysteries to be solved. It’s just a sweet story about growing up, and one that begs to be discussed by many, perhaps under the guidance of a teacher or adult who can help children understand some of the subtleties of the novel.

Please note: This review is based on the final, hardcover book provided by Simon & Schuster, the publisher, for review purposes.