Dog Diaries: A Middle School Story (Dog Diaries Series #1)

by James Patterson, Steven Butler (With), Richard Watson (Illustrator)

Overview

When rule-breaking Rafe has to train his mischievous mutt at obedience school, things are about to get really ruff in this Middle School book for kids and animal lovers everywhere!


Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! I've been waiting for ages to tell my story, and now it's finally happening! Being Rafe's dog isn't always easy, but it is always EXCITING! I've got so much to tell you about:

• How I protect the yard from birds, raccoons, squirrels, raccoons, mail carriers . . . and did I mention RACCOONS?
• Sniffing pooch posteriors for the latest canine news.
• And the terrifying monster hiding in the hall closet: the vacuum cleaner!

These were all the most paw-some parts of my doggie life — until the evil Mrs. Stricker threatened to send me back to the pound if I didn't learn to behave. Now Rafe and I have to go to obedience school and win the trophy for Best Trained Dog . . . or else!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316487481
Publisher:	Little, Brown and Company
Publication date:	12/03/2018
Series:	Dog Diaries Series , #1
Pages:	208
Sales rank:	372
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.30(h) x 0.80(d)
Age Range:	7 - 12 Years

About the Author

James Patterson is the world's bestselling author. He has donated more than one million books to students and soldiers, as well as millions of dollars to independent bookstores and school libraries. He lives in Florida with his family.

Hometown:

Palm Beach, Florida

Date of Birth:

March 22, 1947

Place of Birth:

Newburgh, New York

Education:

B.A., Manhattan College, 1969; M.A., Vanderbilt University, 1971

Website:

http://www.jamespatterson.com

Editorial Reviews

10/15/2018
In this series spinoff, narrator Junior, hound of the Middle School series’ Rafe Khatchadorian, typifies his exuberance and loquaciousness in his journal’s introduction: “If you hadn’t guessed already, I’m a dog. Yep... shiny-nosed... licky-tongued... floppy-eared.” Newly rescued, he is delighted with his new “pet human,” Rafe, who in Junior’s Doglish becomes “Ruff Catch-A-Doggy-Bone.” The clueless pup’s delusions stoke the story’s humor: he knows “there’s no nicer way for a human to be woken than with a paw-poke in the center of their forehead.” Similarly, sent to obedience school after causing a ruckus in the park, Junior is convinced he’ll ace the class, despite his inability to follow commands, and is outraged when he flunks (“Stop everything! The world has gone mad!”). Rather than being returned to the shelter for failing, as the teacher threatens, Junior finagles a way to enter the Debonair Dandy-Dog Show, with expectedly amusing results. Bolstered by Watson’s spry cartoons, Patterson and Butler’s rollicking story will catch—and hold—the attention of young readers, especially those of the dog-loving variety. Ages 7–12. (Dec.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for Dog Diaries:
An Amazon Best Book of the Month!
A Barnes & Noble Top Book of the Month!

"Junior is a dog of great enthusiasm [with an] endearingly canine first-dog voice. Watson's numerous cartoon illustrations... perfectly capture Junior's whimsical attitude...This series opener is a romp in the park."—Kirkus Reviews

"Bolstered by Watson's spry cartoons, Patterson and Butler's rollicking story will catch—and hold—the attention of young readers, especially those of the dog-loving variety."—Publisher's Weekly

"Patterson's tongue-in-cheek humor, accompanied by Butler's comic illustrations, makes this illustrated chapter book a lighthearted 'dog and his boy' story for dog-lovers and fans of Tom Watson's Stick Dog series."—Booklist

From the Publisher

2018-09-30

Junior is a dog of great enthusiasm.

Recently adopted from the animal shelter by Mom-Lady, he's the happy owner of a pet human boy he calls Ruff. Ruff is a good human. He lets Junior sleep on his bed, takes him for walks to the dog park (neighborhood map included), and seems unperturbed by Junior's ever-so-doggy ways. Unfortunately, Junior accidentally gets away at the dog park and causes all sorts of amusing pandemonium, very annoying to nasty professional dog trainer Iona Stricker. She presents Ruff with an ultimatum: either train his unruly dog (in her class), or she will have Junior returned to the shelter. Junior—once he learns what's needed—is happy to comply, until his enthusiasm gets the better of him once again. Related in Junior's endearingly canine first-dog voice, the tale is a quick one, accompanied by Watson's numerous cartoon illustrations that perfectly capture Junior's whimsical attitude. A healthy serving of mild bathroom humor should appeal to the intended audience. After all, who doesn't like to hear of a dog using Ruff's sister's shoes for a latrine? The few human characters all appear to be the white default. The broad humor and fast pace will likely entice many a reader turned off by longer, more deliberative tales. Activities and a "Doglish" glossary are included.

This series opener is a romp in the park. (Fiction. 7-11)

Kirkus Reviews