When an asteroid crash-lands with a threat to destroy the planet, humanity looks for a savior, but they probably didn’t expect an eleven-inch terrier to answer the call.
Ringo Award-winner David Pepose and illustrator Ornella Greco team up for Ten-Ton Titan Terrier, a high-energy middle-grade graphic novel that mixes sci-fi spectacle with plenty of heart. Sam Dawson is a young scientist who discovers that Earth’s only defense against a wave of alien “Bio-Titans” is a colossal battle suit found in the wreckage. The problem is that the suit’s advanced operating system only responds to Sam’s dog, Holly. As giant monsters like the terrifying Irradigator threaten the planet, Sam must guide his furry best friend through epic battles. It turns out that saving the world requires a lot of treats, belly rubs, and a very good dog.
This book is a fantastic resource for supporting students who might struggle with traditional prose, including English language learners and those with reading difficulties. The graphic novel format allows accessibility here; Greco’s artwork is a vital storytelling tool that helps students track the narrative flow. For example, when scientific concepts like “neural sync” or specific monster names are introduced, they are paired with clear visual representations, allowing readers to grasp the meaning through context rather than dictionary definitions. The text itself is approachable, favoring simple and compound sentences within speech bubbles that don’t overwhelm the page. This setup allows a student to feel the accomplishment of reading a significant volume without the fatigue often caused by dense linear paragraphs. Early acclaim from outlets like Kirkus Reviews points to the successful mix of humor and action, which serves as a hook for students who might usually avoid reading time. It offers a low-pressure environment for students to practice reading fluency while getting lost in a story about teamwork and courage.
