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New York Times bestselling author and Fulbright Scholar Michael Sampson launches the inaugural title of Rado’s Press with JoJo the Tornado Dog: A Tale of Rescue, Courage, and Adventure, illustrated by Lauren Phelps. Based on the true story of Sampson’s very own rescue dog, this new middle-grade book sheds light on the importance of animal welfare shelters, animal foster parents, and real-life supportive rescue networks such as the Underhound Railroad. Told from the perspective of JoJo, readers will find themselves rooting for this Australian cattle dog as he quickly becomes the brave hero of his story!

JoJo wasn’t always JoJo — and he wasn’t always a Tornado Dog. First, he was Joey, the Australian cattle dog whom his family, the Bañueloses — and especially their daughter, Olivia — loved ever so much.

Joey had everything he needed: delicious food scraps, the freedom to play outdoors, and a nice, safe roof over his head — that is, until a nasty tornado swept through the neighborhood and flung his house straight into the skies of Georgia.

After fruitlessly searching for his family, Joey is discovered by a dogcatcher and taken to an animal shelter where he meets the lovely caretaker Camila. It’s this fateful encounter that links JoJo with the Underhound Railroad and lays the path for his journeys across the United States as he whirls like a tornado between owners and families of different backgrounds, escapes more death-defying encounters, accomplishes heroic deeds, and embarks on joyful adventures.

Follow JoJo the Tornado Dog as he discovers what it means not only to be cared for, but to care so much for all the world around him.