Finding Asher

by Scott Hammond

"Where is my son?" Asher's mother screamed as they loaded her husband's body into the ambulance. Five miles up the trail, Asher was going deeper into the wilderness. His compulsive need for routine, hike to the lake at the same time on the same trail with the same gear, is now amplified by his father's last wish, to find their friend and deliver supplies. In Lincoln, Wyoming, fourteen-year-old Caleb ( Finding Search and Rescue Dog Book I ) is stunned when the sheriff asks him to urgently bring search dog "Boo" to find Asher. When they find Asher near the lake, the adventure is just beginning. Asher insists on staying "lost" so he can connect with an off-the-grid survivalist. Then a woman in a wheel chair helps them all stay out of trouble with the law. Finding Asher is a story of resilience and the driving need for belonging, as Caleb and Boo search the wilderness and survive the with the help of people with autism, mental illness, and physical disabilities.

Genres: Contemporary

145 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2023

Reviews

[Diane Nagatomo]

Finding Asher, the second in the Search and Rescue Dog Book series by Scott Hammond is a complete winner. Having read the first one, I was delighted to receive an ARC from Net Galley and my opinions are my own.
While it isn’t necessary to read the first book (Finding Caleb), understanding 14-year-old Caleb’s history lends credibility to the story when he is asked by the sheriff to bring the search dog “Boo” to the mountains to help find a young man with autism (Asher) who had disappeared when his father had a heart attack and died on the trail. Caleb’s mentor (and Boo’s handler) is out of town, and Caleb is the only one who can step up to the task. Boo leads Caleb to Asher, but getting him to come back proves to be complicated. They are not alone in the mountains.
This is a wonderful story and a wonderful series. I hope the author continues writing them and I hope they find their way on every junior and senior high school library bookshelf throughout the country. The world needs more uplifting stories with caring and complex characters like this.

[Lisa]

Although this is listed as YA, adults shouldn't miss this book because it deals with adult life issues. This is not exactly a sequel to the first book, Finding Caleb, as it takes place a few years earlier but it's the story of another search & rescue adventure undertaken by Boo and Caleb. Besides the search & rescue aspect, this one also takes on the stigma and difficulties faced by the disabled, physically or mentally, and the unhoused in our communities. These difficult topics are covered with grace, understanding, and respect. I appreciate the author's willingness to tackle these issues with compassion when so many folks prefer to look the other way. No one should feel invisible.

Having read the first book, I was prepared to shed a couple of tears with this one. What I wasn't prepared for was to be completely undone by the final two pages...I lost it. Caleb and Boo's unfailing humanity did me in.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the digital ARC. All opinions and the review are my own.

[Stephanie]

I enjoyed the main story in the book about Asher, Caleb and the dog Boo — and Marianna in the present story —the introduction of Marianna`s background I felt could`ve been more concise though it was somewhat relevant to understand her role in the story and her background — Around chapter 22 — suddenly we are getting background on characters Bill and Cathy — again this could`ve been more concise or cut completely as I truly still don`t see the relevance how their background was important to the development of the story. I enjoyed to story overall — and the main storyline— I got invested in the main characters of the story and wanted to know the outcome- I would be interested to see how this series progresses.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the digital ARC. This is my honest review.

[Jan]

The deputy is Native Hawaiian living and working in Wyoming. He learns about people with autism and other disabilities as he and a substitute search/rescue team search the rural area for a lost person. Listed as being for 13 - 17 Years and more, this is a good story teaching sensitivity and more in a comfortable way. Highly recommend.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Black Rose Writing via NetGalley.
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[Annarella]

A poignant and compelling novel that deals with social issues and talks about lovely rescue dogs.
Thought provoking and well written
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine