Published: 2023
Author: Dave Eggers
Illustrator: Shawn Harris
Genres: Middle Grade Fiction, Animal Adventure, Fantasy
Audience: Grades 5–8
Number of Stars: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Goodreads Link: The Eyes and the Impossible
Content Warnings: Themes of captivity, animal peril, and minor injury.
Publisher’s Summary
The illustrated story of a dog who unwittingly becomes a hero to a park full of animals. Johannes, a free dog, lives in an urban park by the sea. His job is to be the Eyes—to see everything that happens within the park and report back to the park’s elders, three ancient Bison. His friends—a seagull, a raccoon, a squirrel, and a pelican—work with him as the Assistant Eyes, observing the humans and other animals who share the park and making sure the Equilibrium is in balance. But changes are afoot. More humans, including Trouble Travelers, arrive in the park. A new building, containing mysterious and hypnotic rectangles, goes up. And then there are the goats—an actual boatload of goats—who appear, along with a shocking revelation that changes Johannes’s view of the world.
Full Review
If you’re looking for a book that feels truly fresh and fun, The Eyes and the Impossible is a must-read. It is easy to see why this story took home the 2024 Newbery Medal. The narrative voice of Johannes the dog is fantastic—he is fast, a bit boastful, fiercely proud, and incredibly funny. Dave Eggers manages to create a perspective that feels authentically “canine” while remaining deeply thoughtful and philosophical.
What truly sets this book apart is the physical art. Shawn Harris took actual 19th-century landscape paintings and digitally inserted Johannes into them. This isn’t just a gimmick; it makes the park look majestic and serves as a brilliant bridge to get students interested in art history. The themes of freedom, nature, and the true meaning of friendship are woven seamlessly into the adventure. Whether you are a 10-year-old who loves animal stories or an adult looking for a unique read, this book offers a sense of wonder that stays with you long after the final page.
🌳 The Ecosystem of the Park
Johannes and his friends represent a managed urban ecosystem. They strive to maintain the “Equilibrium”—a state of balance between humans, animals, and the environment.
- The Elders (Bison): Represent wisdom and the history of the land.
- The Eyes (Johannes): Represents speed, surveillance, and the connection between species.
- The Travelers (Humans): Represent the unpredictable variable that threatens the balance.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
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Art (Creative Collage): Follow the book’s lead!
Activity Idea: Have students find a print of a famous landscape painting (from a magazine or printed from a museum website) and draw their own pet, a local squirrel, or a fictional creature into the scene. How does the animal change the “mood” of the painting?
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Science (Animal Behavior & Habitats): Discuss the concept of an “Urban Park” as a habitat.
Activity Idea: Research the species mentioned (Bison, Seagulls, Raccoons). Which of these are native to your area? How do they adapt to living alongside humans?
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ELA (Voice and Point of View): Johannes has a very distinct way of speaking.
Activity Idea: Write a “report” to the Bison Elders about a typical day at your school, but write it from the perspective of a school mascot or a bird living on the playground. Use Johannes’s fast, proud tone.
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Philosophy (Freedom vs. Captivity): Contrast Johannes’s life with that of the Bison.
Activity Idea: The Bison are “safe” but enclosed. Johannes is “free” but faces constant danger. Which is better? Create a T-chart debating the pros and cons of each lifestyle.
