Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog

Written by Garth Stein

Narrated by Henry Leyva

Now a family friendly major motion picture from Fox 2000 Studios—featuring Milo Ventimiglia, Amanda Seyfried, and Kevin Costner as the voice of Enzo the dog!

In this young readers’ edition of the New York Times bestselling adult novel The Art of Racing in the Rain, meet one funny mutt—Enzo, the lovable dog who tells this story.

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs. Most dogs love to chase cars, but Enzo longs to race them.

He learns about racing and the world around him by watching TV and by listening to the words of his best friend, Denny, an up-and-coming race car driver, and Denny's daughter, Zoë, his constant companion. Enzo finds that life is just like being on the racetrack—it isn't simply about going fast.

Applying the rules of racing to his world, Enzo takes on his family's challenges and emerges a hero. In the end, Enzo holds in his heart the dream that Denny will go on to be a racing champion with his daughter by his side.

For theirs is an extraordinary friendship—one that reminds us all to celebrate the triumph of the human (and canine) spirit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9780062067579

Garth Stein

Garth Stein is the author of Enzo Races in the Rain!, based on the New York Times bestselling novel The Art of Racing in the Rain (and its tween adaptation, Racing in the Rain). His other works include A Sudden Light, How Evan Broke His Head and Other Secrets, Raven Stole the Moon, and a play, Brother Jones. He is the cofounder of Seattle7Writers.org, a nonprofit collective of sixty-two Northwest authors dedicated to fostering a passion for the written word. Garth lives in Seattle with his family and his dog, Comet.

Reviews for Racing in the Rain

[kelli jordan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heartwarming and well produced. I really enjoyed this book which contains great life lessons packed in a truly well written novel.

[Allison · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was an existing book about a dog who wanted to be a human

[Felisha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great novel!!!...passionate, funny, emotional, loving, and adventurous. I will definitely read again and share this book with others.

[Diane Matcheck · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Disappointing. Although it has some insightful and funny moments, the author beats the living daylights out of the car racing metaphor and descriptions of car racing so it quickly becomes tedious. He could have improved the book immensely but cutting at least 75% of that material (many, many pages). Also, I had trouble with the underlying premise that the ultimate dream or purpose of a dog is to become human. I think a lot of humans would like to be more like dogs (fully present in the moment, unconditionally loving, quick to forgive, etc.) but I just don't see a dog longing to be human. Just a personal perspective, but it made it difficult from the outset to really buy into the story.

[yarncatsnbooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good story, but not fully my interest. A bit drawn out.

[sonya.contreras · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Although in the children's section in the library, this was not a children's book. I stopped reading it to my boys, because the content was ...for lack of a better word, 'too real'. The ease by which parent's rights could be taken away was shown clearly through this fiction. (Thus the 'too real' for my boys) But it presents an accurate view of society's view on father's rights. (Very concerning)


Stein provides a good example of a book written in one POV---from a dog's perspective.


The theme of fighting for what you treasure without quitting offered hope and inspiration.

The lessons from racing cars paralleled life's lessons adding a different perspective unknown to me.

I didn't finish reading it to my boys, but I had to finish reading it for myself. (and gave them a synopsis for closure)

A book of warning to fathers who don't see what society is doing to their rights. Hang in there and don't quit. Fathers are needed.

[nekomonster · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I haven't met a person who didn't get teary while reading this book.

[lindamamak · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Told from the dog's point of view, how he wished he could talk to help a father regain custody of his daughter.

[hdzookeeper · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Story from dog's point of view. His owner is Denny, who is a race car driver. A good portion of the story is the custody battle with the in-laws after his wife dies from brain cancer. It has a good ending. It's an OK story, just nothing to write home about.