Gloria and Rayzer must save their Uncle Ben. The black dog has got him.

At least, that's what they heard their granny say. And she says it's taken Dublin's funny bone too.

As Uncle Ben's Dublin business fails, it's clear to Gloria and Rayzer that something is wrong. He just isn't his usual cheerful self. So when the children overhear their granny saying that the Black Dog has settled on Ben's back and he won't be OK until it's gone, they decide they're going to get rid of it. Gathering all their courage the children set out on a midnight quest to hunt down the Black Dog and chase it away.

Gloria and Rayzer are really brave, but the black dog is really scary - and soon they realize that they can't fight it alone. Before long loads of other children are searching for it too, because the Black Dog is hounding lots of Dublin's adults. Together - and with the help of magical animals, birds and rodents - the children manage to corner the Black Dog . . . but will they have the courage and cleverness to destroy the frightening creature?

Roddy Doyle's 'brilliant' Brilliant is a wonderful, heartwarming middle grade tale of friendship and family.