The Junkyard
What if the bravest dog in the junkyard is the one who refuses to fight?
About the Book
Title: The Junkyard
Author: Bryan Reilly
Illustrator: Rich Denver
Publisher: Bryan Reilly
Pub Date: 2026
Genre: Enter
Pages: 192
ISBN: 979-890310394
Find it: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org
Ninja is a pit bull who would rather die than hurt another dog. When she purposefully loses in the fighting ring of a cruel junkyard owner, Mr. Fergusen, she is punished and left for dead at the edge of a nearby forest. A tribe of stray junkyard dogs finds her and gives her a new name, Maytag. They nurse her back to health and welcome her into their secret home inside the northern junkyard’s mountains of wrecked cars, appliances, tires, and trains. For the first time, Maytag feels love and is incredibly relieved to be free of Mr. Fergusen’s fighting ring.
But her relief is short-lived.
Saab, the aggressive Rottweiler of the southern junkyard, plans to conquer the north with the help of a vengeful forest wolf. If the junkyard becomes a warzone, Mr. Fergusen will surely take the strays to the put-down place. When Saab’s plan is set in motion, Maytag must decide if her new friends are worth fighting for.
My Take on The Junkyard
This middle-grade animal adventure starts in a pretty dark place, but there is so much heart underneath it. After surviving a brutal fighting ring, Ninja bounces back as Maytag and finally discovers friendship, safety, and a family worth protecting. I loved that her strength comes from compassion rather than aggression. The junkyard setting, secret tunnels, rival dogs, and constant danger keep the story tense and moving, while characters like Dodge, Fiat, and Weber add plenty of personality. There are quite a few dogs to keep straight, but the emotional payoff is worth it. The ending left me hopeful and very attached to this scrappy little found family.
Gifted book, honest thoughts — always.
About the Author
Bryan Reilly is a marketing copywriter, content creator, and author, an award-winning middle-grade fantasy that explores kindness as courage, compassion, and found family. 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‘writing for his livelihood’ in 2005, after using corporate severance money to rent a New York City loft for the Unpublished Underground, an art gallery for aspiring writers.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 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.
About the Illustrator
Rich Denver is a professional illustrator, graphic designer, dog owner, and Navy veteran. He served in the U.S. Submarine fleet under the ice of the North Pole and has a unique appreciation for the tight spaces and camaraderie enjoyed by the dogs.
Giveaway for The Junkyard
Readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have the chance to win one of three signed paperback copies . One lucky grand prize winner will receive the ultimate book-lover’s bundle: a signed paperback copy plus a $50 Amazon gift card and a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card!
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The Junkyard Book Tour
Follow along on the book tour to see what others have to say!
The tour is hosted by The Children’s Book Review: @thechildrensbookreview (Instagram) | @thechildrensbookreview (Facebook) | @TCBRBookReview (X/Bluesky)
| Thursday, October 1, 2026 The Children’s Book Review Book Review |
| Friday, October 2, 2026 The Starlit Path Book Review |
| Monday, October 5, 2026 Deliciously Savvy Book Review |
| Tuesday, October 6, 2026 One More Exclamation Book Review |
| Thursday, October 8, 2026 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review |
| Friday, October 9, 2026 @nissa_the.bookworm Instagram Post |
| Monday, October 12, 2026 Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview |
| Tuesday, October 13, 2026 Book Zone Reviews Book Review |
| Thursday, October 15, 2026 Confessions of a Book Addict Book Spotlight |
| Friday, October 16, 2026 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review |
| Monday, October 19, 2026 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review |
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