What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I have been looked for this book for years so any help is appreciated, I read it when I was younger, I'm going to guess around 2007/2009. It focuses on the life of a young boy who is born blind (I think to white parents who are living in India temporarily, though I might have that confused.) They rapidly discover his hearing is insanely good when he sits by the door waiting for his dad to come home from work because he can hear the car.

They then get him a guide dog, a golden retriever and some kind of household help / gardener teaches him how to train the dog to bite on command. They then get on a plane and it's hijacked, but the boy convinces them to bring the dog up from the hold. I remember the dog bites one of the hijackers on the arm. I think the boy also might be able to see through a wall at some point - though I don't remember how because he was definitely blind at the start of the book - and I think he is also stupidly strong and bends some metal maybe.

I have a vague memory of the title involving the word Gold or Golden as I think the little boy was blonde, but I might be making that up. Apologies that this is a bit of a rambling mess, but if it rings any bells for anyone that is greatly appreciated!

There are two books by Jim Slater (I have them both).
Goldenrod https://www.librarything.com/work/103...
Goldenrod and the kidnappers https://www.librarything.com/work/201...
Goldenrod
Goldenrod and the Kidnappers

bookel wrote: "There are two books by Jim Slater (I have them both).
Goldenrod https://www.librarything.com/work/103...
Goldenrod and the kidnappers https://www.librarything.com/work/201......" You are an absolute saint! Thank you!