A hilarious new offering and middle-grade debut from Drew Daywalt, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Day the Crayons Quit and acclaimed illustrator Mike Lowery.

THEY CALL ME NO SAM
by Drew Daywalt, illustrated by Mike Lowery
Clarion Books, June 2024
(via Writers House)

Meet Sam: an insolent pug—and incidental hero—who will stop at nothing to protect his family! When scientists Elaine and Gary Peterson adopt Sam to keep their son, Justin, company in the midst of a top-secret research project, they never imagine the precocious pup will cause more harm than good. But from chewing up Elaine’s hairdryer (the “brain melting heat cannon”), to his inability to be house-trained (who could resist the “pooping rug”?), the Petersons aren’t sure how much more they can take. And that’s before Sam starts harassing Justin’s crush (and potential new friend), Phoebe, whom Sam is sure is an evil wizard out to harm Justin.  But when a pair of crooks encroaches on the Peterson household in an attempt to steal their confidential findings, Sam’s actions—never mind his reasoning for them—just may save the day.

Drew Daywalt is the award-winning author of The Day the Crayons Quit, which has been on the New York Times bestseller list for close to 400 weeks. He lives in Los Angeles with his family and his dog, Sam.

Mike Lowery is a New York Times bestselling illustrator who has worked on dozens of books for children and adults, including the Mac B., Kid Spy series by Mac Barnett.