The People Pound is a heartfelt, humorous, and quietly powerful short chapter book for readers ages 13 and up. Told through journal entries and tender moments, it follows Moose, a tenth-grade student completing his volunteer hours at an animal shelter as he navigates poop scooping, stubborn bulldogs, and surprisingly deep life lessons. Moose thinks he's just earning credit and killing time. Instead, he meets Monty, the beanbag-shaped bulldog who rules with snacks and side-eye. Kaia, the wary dog who curls up in her kennel and watches the world from a distance; and a crew of adults with quirks, wisdom, and one suspiciously philosophical cookie stash. Through daily work, awkward encounters, and a growing notebook full of real talk and messy feelings, Moose slowly learns that connection isn't loud it's slow, it's earned, and sometimes it arrives in a tail wag, a gate latch, or a moment of stillness shared between two living things. Each chapter reveals how trust is built, how healing happens in quiet, and how the smallest choices can carry the biggest meaning. Funny, relatable, and deeply moving, The People Pound is perfect for fans of journal-style storytelling, character-driven narratives, and stories where the loudest growth happens in silence. A perfect read for anyone who's ever waited to be chosen and learned that sometimes showing up is the bravest thing you can do.