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Boo & Patch: A Tail of Hope
He thought adventure was something you choose — until it chose him.
Boo has always felt a pull bigger than what he can see, as though the world is hiding a secret behind everyday life. Stepping through a doorway that shouldn’t exist and meeting a companion who shouldn’t be possible, everything he thought he knew turns upside down.
Before Boo can catch his breath, every step draws him deeper into strange dangers, family secrets, and a journey he’ll never forget. Nothing about what happens next is predictable. And Patch? He is definitely no ordinary dog.
With a group of misfit friends, plenty of laugh-out-loud fun moments, and a whole lot of heart, Boo and Patch must face challenges that test their courage, their friendship, and a destiny far greater than they ever imagined.
Once you step through… nothing will be the same again.
Perfect for readers aged 7–12, this middle-grade fantasy adventure is ideal for independent reading and family read-aloud time.
A funny, fast-paced, page-turning ride with the spirit of classic childhood escapades and a touch of magical wonder — and the unforgettable beginning of a brand-new fantasy series.
Why readers love Boo & Patch: A Tail of Hope:
A fast-paced, page-turning fantasy adventure
A mysterious dog and an unforgettable friendship
Magic, mystery, and laugh-out-loud moments
Perfect for ages 7–12 and family read-aloud time
Boo has always felt a pull bigger than what he can see, as though the world is hiding a secret behind everyday life. Stepping through a doorway that shouldn’t exist and meeting a companion who shouldn’t be possible, everything he thought he knew turns upside down.
Before Boo can catch his breath, every step draws him deeper into strange dangers, family secrets, and a journey he’ll never forget. Nothing about what happens next is predictable. And Patch? He is definitely no ordinary dog.
With a group of misfit friends, plenty of laugh-out-loud fun moments, and a whole lot of heart, Boo and Patch must face challenges that test their courage, their friendship, and a destiny far greater than they ever imagined.
Once you step through… nothing will be the same again.
Perfect for readers aged 7–12, this middle-grade fantasy adventure is ideal for independent reading and family read-aloud time.
A funny, fast-paced, page-turning ride with the spirit of classic childhood escapades and a touch of magical wonder — and the unforgettable beginning of a brand-new fantasy series.
Why readers love Boo & Patch: A Tail of Hope:
A fast-paced, page-turning fantasy adventure
A mysterious dog and an unforgettable friendship
Magic, mystery, and laugh-out-loud moments
Perfect for ages 7–12 and family read-aloud time
190 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2026
About the author
Gary Boardman
1 book4 followersGary Christopher Boardman, originally from Blackpool, relocated to Southampton in the
sunny south of the UK at the age of two, where he has lived ever since.
Gary was a calm child with a vivid imagination
and dreamt of setting the world alight one day.
With most dreams, reality got in the way, and like everyone else, he had to settle in with the rat race of what is called ‘work’.
Becoming a proud father in 2007 gave him the opportunity to feel young again and experience the world again through a child's eyes and rekindle some of that motivation to do something more creative with his life.
As his son grew older, he wanted bedtime story after bedtime story, and to keep up with the boy's desire for adventures, the solution was easy: Gary would weave his own stories on the spot to keep the magic of story time going, nurturing a bond that remains strong even now his son has grown into a teenager.
Whilst he tried his hand at all sorts of make believe stories and magical adventures, there
was one that stood out amongst the others ‘Boo & Patch’.
Boo & Patch started out as a simple idea of a boy and his dog travelling through wormholes on different adventures, quickly becoming a
nightly request. Gary needed to be on his toes and come up with new story after new story, and with pleasure, he did so.
With much encouragement from his family and setting some personal time aside, he set to the task of bringing these characters to life in his debut book, Boo & Patch, a Tail of Hope.
As he continues Gary is excited to expand the ‘Boo & Patch’ series and explore new
stories. His journey into the literary world is just beginning, promising more enchanting
adventures for readers, young and old.
sunny south of the UK at the age of two, where he has lived ever since.
Gary was a calm child with a vivid imagination
and dreamt of setting the world alight one day.
With most dreams, reality got in the way, and like everyone else, he had to settle in with the rat race of what is called ‘work’.
Becoming a proud father in 2007 gave him the opportunity to feel young again and experience the world again through a child's eyes and rekindle some of that motivation to do something more creative with his life.
As his son grew older, he wanted bedtime story after bedtime story, and to keep up with the boy's desire for adventures, the solution was easy: Gary would weave his own stories on the spot to keep the magic of story time going, nurturing a bond that remains strong even now his son has grown into a teenager.
Whilst he tried his hand at all sorts of make believe stories and magical adventures, there
was one that stood out amongst the others ‘Boo & Patch’.
Boo & Patch started out as a simple idea of a boy and his dog travelling through wormholes on different adventures, quickly becoming a
nightly request. Gary needed to be on his toes and come up with new story after new story, and with pleasure, he did so.
With much encouragement from his family and setting some personal time aside, he set to the task of bringing these characters to life in his debut book, Boo & Patch, a Tail of Hope.
As he continues Gary is excited to expand the ‘Boo & Patch’ series and explore new
stories. His journey into the literary world is just beginning, promising more enchanting
adventures for readers, young and old.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 1, 2026
my daughter and I both read it together, well mostly me reading to her but we had fun and it is beautifully written and as you read it feels like you're really there in the world. we had so much fun together and it's definitely going to be a reread for us. if your looking for a fun adventure and a great story this is it.
April 17, 2026
Jake, also known as Boo, is a young boy with a seemingly endless supply of energy. Luckily, Boo's foster parents are prepared to manage the unexpected and dynamic nature of Boo's personality as he gets himself into one predicament after the next. When a seemingly tangible dream appears in Boo's mind one day, he is tempted to dismiss it as a strange happenstance. But when reality becomes clear and it seems that Boo is tied to generations of larger-than-life heroes, Boo finds himself stepping up to fill an important void to protect and support an assortment of individuals he never knew existed. This action-centric middle grade novel is told from Boo's point of view, clearly depicting the boundless energy surrounding Boo at all times. Entertaining companions accompany Boo in several scenes, and these characters enhance the complexity of a novel that is otherwise centered around Boo. The narrative spends some time in the real world, though much of the novel takes place in the dreamscape Boo experiences at the beginning of the book. While this transition can feel abrupt at times, the overall nature of the storytelling is clear enough that readers are able to keep track of where Boo happens to be at any given time. Good writing and a popular premise make the book well suited to confident middle grade readers with an interest in magical realism and unlikely heroes. Infused with joy, hope, and heart, this book is a good story to share with young readers who appreciate lightly fantastic storytelling with an anchor in reality.
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May 6, 2026Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Boo & Patch 3/5⭐
Sadly, I think I've outgrown this type of book.
Don't forget to follow me on YouTube, where I post all about my favorite clean books! https://www.youtube.com/@ItsRenity
✨Plot✨
Boo finds a dog buried in a mine along with a bag of magical things. Before he knows what hit him, he is off on an adventure of a lifetime, being chased by wild animals, traveling through time, and more!
Boo and his friends must save the world and attempt to find Boo's parents in the process!
✨Characters✨
There weren't really any stand-out characters. Jessie was probably my favorite, though! Sadly, I didn't really have any emotional connection with the characters and really felt like I was just spectating sometimes.
✨Writing Style✨
Pretty good, although the formatting was odd. I also noticed some typos and grammatical errors throughout. The tense in which it was written changed quite a lot, but I was mostly able to follow along with what was happening.
✨⚔️Action⚔️✨
Quite a surprising amount of action for a kids' book, but I felt disconnected and confused during a lot of the action. Overall, though, the action wasn't bad.
✨Would I Recommend It?✨
It depends on whether or not you're ok with typos and unique formatting styles. But if you need a read-aloud for some younger kids or are a young kid yourself, you'd probably enjoy it!
Boo & Patch 3/5⭐
Sadly, I think I've outgrown this type of book.
Don't forget to follow me on YouTube, where I post all about my favorite clean books! https://www.youtube.com/@ItsRenity
✨Plot✨
Boo finds a dog buried in a mine along with a bag of magical things. Before he knows what hit him, he is off on an adventure of a lifetime, being chased by wild animals, traveling through time, and more!
Boo and his friends must save the world and attempt to find Boo's parents in the process!
✨Characters✨
There weren't really any stand-out characters. Jessie was probably my favorite, though! Sadly, I didn't really have any emotional connection with the characters and really felt like I was just spectating sometimes.
✨Writing Style✨
Pretty good, although the formatting was odd. I also noticed some typos and grammatical errors throughout. The tense in which it was written changed quite a lot, but I was mostly able to follow along with what was happening.
✨⚔️Action⚔️✨
Quite a surprising amount of action for a kids' book, but I felt disconnected and confused during a lot of the action. Overall, though, the action wasn't bad.
✨Would I Recommend It?✨
It depends on whether or not you're ok with typos and unique formatting styles. But if you need a read-aloud for some younger kids or are a young kid yourself, you'd probably enjoy it!
July 4, 2026
*3 and a half stars
Boo is a young boy whose parents have gone missing, but he’s been happily living with his foster parents and still is very close with her grandmother. When he finds himself on the cusp of an adventure that includes his friends and a new dog named Patch he can’t resist it. Boo and his friends enter a magical alternative world that leads to dangers they can’t even imagine. While on their adventure Boo discovers answers about his parents, his friendships are tested, and his relationship with Patch is tested.
This is not my usually genre of book, but I know it’s a genre my students enjoy so it was good for me to try outside my usual reads. I liked that this story originated by the author telling his child this story at bedtime and I can see how engaging it would be as a bedtime read. Knowing this, I was able to visualize how exciting Boo and Patch’s adventure could be.
Who will like it?
✅ Fans of #fantasy books
✅ Fans of stories with alternative worlds
✅ Fans of #adventure stories
#bookreview #middlegradebooks #actionadventure
Boo is a young boy whose parents have gone missing, but he’s been happily living with his foster parents and still is very close with her grandmother. When he finds himself on the cusp of an adventure that includes his friends and a new dog named Patch he can’t resist it. Boo and his friends enter a magical alternative world that leads to dangers they can’t even imagine. While on their adventure Boo discovers answers about his parents, his friendships are tested, and his relationship with Patch is tested.
This is not my usually genre of book, but I know it’s a genre my students enjoy so it was good for me to try outside my usual reads. I liked that this story originated by the author telling his child this story at bedtime and I can see how engaging it would be as a bedtime read. Knowing this, I was able to visualize how exciting Boo and Patch’s adventure could be.
Who will like it?
✅ Fans of #fantasy books
✅ Fans of stories with alternative worlds
✅ Fans of #adventure stories
#bookreview #middlegradebooks #actionadventure
June 24, 2026
3.5 stars
This book is about Boo, an adopted child, who discovers some unexpected things about his family of origin. This news makes him embark on a fantastical journey alongside his friends.
What I enjoyed about this book was the relationship between Boo and his friends, who worked together to finish the quest. I also liked the relationship between Boo and his dog, Patch.
The thing that didn’t click with me was the voice in which the story was written. It made me feel a little disconnected from the story. I also think it would have been beneficial for the story to have more of a character build-up at the start of the book. But these details might not be that important for the children who will read it.
I recommend this book to children from 8 years old who love fantasy, adventure, and jokes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is about Boo, an adopted child, who discovers some unexpected things about his family of origin. This news makes him embark on a fantastical journey alongside his friends.
What I enjoyed about this book was the relationship between Boo and his friends, who worked together to finish the quest. I also liked the relationship between Boo and his dog, Patch.
The thing that didn’t click with me was the voice in which the story was written. It made me feel a little disconnected from the story. I also think it would have been beneficial for the story to have more of a character build-up at the start of the book. But these details might not be that important for the children who will read it.
I recommend this book to children from 8 years old who love fantasy, adventure, and jokes.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 23, 2026
This was such a fun and heartwarming adventure to read. Boo & Patch: A Tail of Hope has the perfect mix of magic, mystery, and friendship that keeps you turning the pages. Patch quickly became my favorite character definitely not an ordinary dog, and his bond with Boo makes the story really special.
The story moves at a great pace and keeps young readers excited while also giving a strong message about courage and believing in yourself. I also loved the humor and the feeling of classic childhood adventures with a magical twist.
This is a perfect book for kids, families, and anyone who enjoys imaginative fantasy stories. I’m really looking forward to seeing more from this world in the future.
The story moves at a great pace and keeps young readers excited while also giving a strong message about courage and believing in yourself. I also loved the humor and the feeling of classic childhood adventures with a magical twist.
This is a perfect book for kids, families, and anyone who enjoys imaginative fantasy stories. I’m really looking forward to seeing more from this world in the future.
April 21, 2026
Step into a world where one unexpected moment changes everything—and there’s no turning back.
Boo & Patch: A Tail of Hope moves quickly from everyday life into a layered fantasy filled with hidden realms, strange rules, and a destiny that feels just out of reach. Boo’s journey is packed with action and intrigue, but it’s the emotional core—his search for truth, his connection to those around him, and his growing bond with Patch—that gives the story real weight. It’s an easy, engaging read that balances excitement with heart, making it perfect for young readers looking for both adventure and meaning.
Boo & Patch: A Tail of Hope moves quickly from everyday life into a layered fantasy filled with hidden realms, strange rules, and a destiny that feels just out of reach. Boo’s journey is packed with action and intrigue, but it’s the emotional core—his search for truth, his connection to those around him, and his growing bond with Patch—that gives the story real weight. It’s an easy, engaging read that balances excitement with heart, making it perfect for young readers looking for both adventure and meaning.
April 19, 2026
This was such a fun, imaginative read that pulls you in right from the start and doesn’t let go. Boo is the kind of character you root for instantly—curious, a little reckless, and carrying more emotion than he lets on—and his journey from ordinary kid to something much bigger feels exciting and personal at the same time. The mix of humor, mystery, and adventure keeps things moving fast, but what really stuck with me was the friendship with Patch. It’s one of those stories that feels magical without losing its heart, and it’s easy to see kids getting completely hooked on this world.
April 21, 2026
This is my son's review for Boo & Patch:
Great story with Boo and Patch. Awesome adventure with all of his friends. Captivating story structure with an exciting sense of humour.
What a book! That was probably one of the best books I’ve read in a while! The sense of humour really caught me and forced me to read more. At the end? Man, what a finish. This is a really good book with nearly no faults. All in all, this is a great and funny book.
Great story with Boo and Patch. Awesome adventure with all of his friends. Captivating story structure with an exciting sense of humour.
What a book! That was probably one of the best books I’ve read in a while! The sense of humour really caught me and forced me to read more. At the end? Man, what a finish. This is a really good book with nearly no faults. All in all, this is a great and funny book.
May 17, 2026
I read this book with my 9 year old daughter and she loved it. She got really into the plot and was getting emotionally attached to the characters. There was magic, adventure, mishap and more!
If you’re looking for a new age famous five style crew then Boo and his friends are for you. If you’re looking for a diverse set of friends, with a bundle of fun dog Patch then I would highly recommend this book.
If you’re looking for a new age famous five style crew then Boo and his friends are for you. If you’re looking for a diverse set of friends, with a bundle of fun dog Patch then I would highly recommend this book.
April 22, 2026
I came across this book through Bookstagram and decided to read it with my son. It was a cute story. This book is filled with adventure, friendship, and growth.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews