The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan

"This book! It stole my heart, broke my heart, and warmed my heart. Chase and Finnegan have the kind of friendship we all need." --Barbara O'Connor, New York Times bestselling author of Wish

From the Newbery Honor-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Rover's Story comes the deeply moving story of a cheetah who forms a friendship with a rescue dog--a bond that will change their lives forever. Perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Rosanne Parry.

Finnegan is a rescue dog with a broken heart.
Chase is a newly orphaned cheetah cub.

The two animals couldn't be more different. But one day, they are brought together for the unlikeliest of reasons: Finnegan must help Chase gain the confidence she needs to perform as part of an educational program for children at a zoo.

Finnegan and Chase have each suffered losses and have trouble trusting. Yet somehow, they are just what the other needs. But if Finnegan isn't able to help Chase overcome her fears, he won't just be letting Chase down--he could be risking his new home as well.

Inspired by true stories from zoos across the country, award-winning author Jasmine Warga creates a heartwarming tale about how the power of friendship can transcend anything--even species.

"Utterly transporting. This book is all heart, and masterfully imagines the internal lives of two unlikely animal friends." --Eliot Schrefer, author of Endangered, a National Book Award Finalist

"Meet your new favorite animal story. Profoundly moving and vibrating with heart--this book will sit comfortably among the greats. Chase and Finnegan will stay with me for a long time. I loved it." --Tae Keller, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger

"Jasmine Warga's brilliant and heartfelt storytelling made my heart soar. While spending time with Chase and Finnegan, words like friendship, family, connection, love, light, and joy kept racing through my mind. Most of all, the story filled me with HOPE!" --John Schu, librarian and New York Times best-selling author of Louder Than Hunger

Author: Jasmine Warga
Publisher: Balzer & Bray
Published: 03/03/2026
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.69lbs
Size: 8.49h x 5.65w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9781250387189
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.9
Point Value: 5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 557529 / Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 12/12/2025 pg. 1
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2026
Booklist 02/01/2026
Shelf Awareness 01/01/0001
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2026 pg. 73
Publishers Weekly 12/01/2025
Kirkus Reviews 01/01/2026

About the Author
Jasmine Warga is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Rover's Story, The Shape of Thunder, and A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall. Her book Other Words for Home received a Newbery Honor and Walter Honor, among numerous other awards. Here We Are Now and My Heart and Other Black Holes, her novels for teens, have been translated into over twenty-five languages. She lives in the Chicago area with her family.