To Squeeze a Prairie Dog

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Reviews for To Squeeze a Prairie Dog:

Author Anthony Avina's Blog
IndieReader
Readers' Favorite Book Reviews (⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐)
Midwest Book Review
Kirkus Reviews (Verdict: GET IT)
BlueInk Review (⭐ Starred Review)
Book Reviews to Ponder
The Prairies Book Review
Reedsy Discovery
Lone Star Literary Life

This is the story of J. D. Wiswall, a sincere young man from a small town, who joins a state government agency in a data entry department comprised of quirky clerks. Quickly endearing himself to the diverse group in Unit 3, J. D. learns his coworkers have a pact to share the $10,000 prize if they win a cost-savings program for a suggestion that could save the government money, in turn helping them rise above their own personal struggles. A multimillion-dollar cost-savings suggestion is accidentally discovered by J. D.'s supervisor, the goof-off alcoholic Brent Baker. This lucrative discovery catches the attention of crotchety Governor Dwayne Bennett, a media-hungry demagogue, who turns the coworkers of Unit 3 into props for his selfish political reasons. The publicity surrounding the clerks piques the interest of a newspaper reporter, Esther Jean Stinson, whose investigative reporting threatens to reveal the governor's career-ending secret, as well as jeopardizes the prize that the clerks so desperately desire.

Along with J. D. and Brent, the lives of the amiable coworkers in Unit 3 are revealed. There is Rita Jackson, the kind matriarch of her large brood, who spends her time outside of work caring for her five struggling children and thirteen wily grandchildren. Then there's Deborah Martinez, a single mother to a felonious son, who struggles to keep her head above her sinking financial woes. There's also Conchino Gonzalez, a quiescent giant of Mexican and Japanese descent, who street races at night to relieve worries about his ailing grandfather in Japan. Finally, J. D. has dreams bigger than his small hometown can provide, and Brent wants nothing more than to drop the bureaucratic routine to become a rock star with his bar band.

A few blocks away from the agency that houses Unit 3, Governor Bennett, a smarmy politician who whizzes around the Governor's Mansion on a gold-plated wheelchair, parades the unwitting clerks in front of the local media in an attempt to raise his sagging poll numbers. But reporter Esther Jean sees through the governor's bald-faced motives and uncovers secrets not meant to be revealed. Will her revelations keep Unit 3 from receiving their elusive prize?

From award-winning writer Scott Semegran, To Squeeze a Prairie Dog is an American, modern-day tale with working-class folks—part fable, part satire, and part comedy—revealing that camaraderie amongst kind-hearted friends wins the day over evil intentions.

Read an excerpt here.

Praise for To Squeeze a Prairie Dog

"An amusing yet heartwarming romp... To Squeeze a Prairie Dog is an entertaining slice-of-life story that's humorous yet uplifting at the same time. By the novel's last page, readers will be longing for more." — BlueInk Review (Starred Review)

"A comic sendup of state government that remains lighthearted, deadpan, and full of affection for both urban and rural Texas." — Kirkus Reviews

"To Squeeze a Prairie Dog paints a rollicking story that careens through the office structure to delve into the motivations, lives, and connections between ordinary individuals... an uplifting, fun story." — Midwest Book Review

"An accomplished tale... a recommended read for fans of humor, drama, and office politics." — Readers' Favorite Book Reviews. 5 stars.

"Fascinating and heartfelt." — IndieReader

"Semegran is at the top of his game as he crafts this thoroughly engaging read. Written in a crisp, clear prose, this fast-paced novel will delight fans of literary fiction." — The Prairies Book Review. 5 stars.

"Semegran lures you in with a combination of sardonic wit and slapstick comedy, but before you know it, you’re contemplating issues of money, class, media, politics, the social contract, and the many possible definitions of success... To Squeeze a Prairie Dog concludes on just the right note and contains depths you won’t expect." — Lone Star Literary Life

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Paperback Info

ISBN: 978-0999717387 and 978-1723866890

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: 332 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream paper, black and white ink, full-color cover with matte finish

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Literary / Humor

Hardcover Info

ISBN: 978-0359261024 and 978-1087939001

Language: English

Edition: First Edition

Printed: For 978-0359261024, 330 pages, 6" x 9", hardcover binding, cream paper, black and white ink, blue linen hardcover, gold spine text, full-color dust-jacket cover with gloss finish. For 978-1087939001, 330 pages, 6" x 9", hardcover binding, cream paper, black and white ink, case laminate hardcover binding full-color cover with matte finish.

Publisher: Mutt Press

Category: Fiction / Literary / Humor

eBook Info

ISBN: 978-0463522530

Word Count: 84,100

Audiobook Info

Audiobook available at Audible, iTunes, Google Play Books, Kobo, Nook Audiobooks, eStories, Libro.FM, and more