Archer's Quest by Linda Sue Park

Do you like books that take you to another time in history? Well, you’re gonna love this one then! In Archer’s Quest, a boy named Kevin hears a THWOCK noise and turns to see an arrow in the wall above his desk. The arrow had pierced his baseball cap, lifted it off his head and pinned it to the wall! How did that guy with a bow and arrows get into the room? “I lost my balance, fell off the tiger and landed here,” the man says. He really should have brought a dog along but I guess maybe dogs and tigers wouldn’t be very good travel companions. Anyway Kevin discovers that the man time-traveled from a centuries-old Korean kingdom. He knows nothing about modern day stuff—like glass (he tries to shoot an arrow through the window at a birdhouse), lights (he thought Kevin was trying to blind him), computers (Kevin tells him it’s a magic box with which he can talk to people who aren’t there), and lots of other stuff. Kevin tries to find a way to send him home to his century—before history is changed forever. You’ll want to read Archer’s Quest to find out if Kevin is successful. This is an exciting book and it would make a GREAT movie. I think I could star as the tiger; do they make tiger costumes for dogs? I give this book a 4 1/2 bone rating since it was a "can't put it down" one.

By the way, Linda Sue Park is also the author for Project Mulberry which is the book Mr. Boyer's reading group read in 07-08 after which they hatched some silkworms.

Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard

This is Belle again. I’ve finished another William Allen White Book Award nominee. It’s called Drita, My Homegirl. Drita is an immigrant from Kosovo to New York City. In case there are some dogs out there who don’t know what an immigrant is—it’s a person who comes to a country from another country to live permanently. Drita is assigned to a class that includes a black girl named Maxie. The teacher assigns Maxie the project of finding out about Drita’s experience of coming to the U.S. for a report to the class. But Drita speaks no English! If both girls knew dogspeak, it wouldn’t be a problem, would it? How will Maxie find out anything about Drita’s life? Drita’s mom is not handling the move well and Maxie’s grandma (a nurse) helps get her to the ER for treatment. You’ll want to read this book to find out if she recovers, how Maxie does on her report and how Drita copes with her new life. Since she’s from another country, there are a lot of foreign words in the story. You’ll get to use the reading skill of context clues frequently because there is no glossary for looking up the meaning of the words. But don’t worry, you can figure out the meaning easily by the context. OR you can call or email me, Belle, and I’ll help you. Enjoy, Homeys!!

I give this book a 4 bone rating.

Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

Hi, my name is Belle Karlin. I was invited by Milo to talk about some of the William Allen White Book Award nominees that I have read. So here goes! Clementine is a third grade girl who reminds me a lot of Ramona Quimby or Junie B. Jones—not that I’ve read books about either of them but my owner has told me about those 2 girls and how they are always getting themselves into a lot of trouble—just like Clementine does. She has to go to the principal's office A LOT—usually for not paying attention which really isn’t fair because she ALWAYS pays attention to something—just not what the teacher thinks she should pay attention to. You’ll want to read this book to find out why she cuts off her best friend Margaret’s hair and colors what little is left with a permanent red magic marker, why she says Margaret is lucky to have bracelets put on her teeth, why she calls her brother Spinach, Radish, or Broccoli instead of his real name, why she thinks her principal has a tattoo, and how she helps her dad fight The Great Pigeon War. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was that it talks about CATS, but no dogs. In fact, Clementine at one time had a cat named Polka Dottie and her friend has a cat named Mascara. How dumb are THOSE two names? I don't know how Milo gets those award bones to show but I give this one a 4 1/2 bone rating.

The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer*

Everyone likes a good mystery, and I am no exception. Who doesn't like a good suspense story that centers around a secret death and a mysterious stranger. With my bloodhound like senses I was wanting to get down to the bottom of this puzzling novel.

The story starts with a 12 year boy, Gabe Culligan, starting his 6th grade year at the middle school where he doesn't know half of the students. He has for years been pushed through the foster care system after the unfortunate death of his mother. It wasn't until he was 10 years old, that a long lost uncle (a Vietnam vet) was found and Gabe was adopted by his only living family member. Although, a bit gruff at times, Gabe has nothing but love and respect for his uncle. Upon returning home from school one day, Gabe finds his uncle dead on the floor of the kitchen. Being terrified of being put back into the foster care system, Gabe is mum about his uncle's passing and leaves him where he lies, thinking that he is just sleeping. It's not until the next day when Gabe gets home after school, that he notices that his uncle's body has been removed from the home and in the mailbox was a note written to him that said, "I have a secret. Do not be afraid." A correspondence then continues as the past of two characters (Gabe and stranger) begin to emerge and the importance of Uncle Vernon becomes evident in both of their lives. The mysterious stranger leaves notes and gifts for Gabe in the form of a dog named Guppy. Gabe goes through school and life acting as if everything is normal, living on his own. Besides Guppy, Gabe's friend Webber, and Webber's mother, provide Gabe with shelter, food, security, and some companionship he desperately needs. Eventually, his uncle's death is discovered and Gabe is apprehended by authorities and questioned about his death. More and more clues begin to take shape as we learn more of the mysterious note writer. Mr. Boehm, Gabe's English teacher, takes Gabe under his wing to help piece together the clues behind the mysterious stranger, known only as Smitty.

This is the debut novel of Audrey Shafer and at first, I wondered what a new author had to offer to the youth literature genre. The characters and the story are complex and have their own way of contributing and are very empathetic of Gabe's plight. With all that being said, the clues come together to make for a very intriguing story. When you think you have somewhat begun to piece together an idea, the author throws in another small wrinkle that makes you wonder even more. This is a very thrilling page turner and was really hard to put the book away. In fact, my owner read it to me in only one day. I really wanted to find out what would happen to Gabe and most importantly to that lovely pooch, Guppy. The author uses flashbacks to bring us closer to Uncle Vernon and uses his war trauma as the basis of the story and help unravel some secrets. The novel's adults are genuine and have nothing but Gabe's purest interests at heart.
Intermediate readers in search of a good mystery will definitely want to check this book out. A fairly quick and addicting read. I could probably ramble on about this novel all day long, so I'll get to the good stuff. I'm giving this book:

So, if you couldn't tell, I am very high on this book. A cheerful ending, leaves readers with a sense of appreciation for Gabe's perseverance, and a uplifting feeling of hope. A story that proves that our love for others has a resounding impact on their lives. It is a novel that adult readers will enjoy as much as the younger readers for which it is targeted. Now, I feel the need to go solve a mystery of my own and go look for that bone I buried in the backyard last week that has seemed to disappear on me. I blame the Dalmatian next door, but that remains to be seen. Read on!

-The Sleuthing Dachshund


Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 9780385733441
Price: $15.95

* 2008 William Allen White Master List - Middle School

Toys Go Out.... by Emily Jenkins*

I love stuffed animals. I love the way they are soft. I love the way sometimes squeak, I love they way that when you chew on them, their stitching comes out, I especially love the way their stuffing can be thrown all over the room while I'm trying to reach that darn squeaker, I....Uhhhh, sorry about that, I got a little too excited. I have wondered what goes through the mind of many of the toys that I own, let alone those that someone else might own.

The book, by Emily Jenkins, follows the adventures of three friends, Lumphy (a stuffed buffalo), Stingray (a stuffed stingray), and Plastic (a red plastic ball). These toys all have their own personalities that range from selfishness, to curiosity, and pessimism. There are six different adventure tales about the three friends and some of the other objects that live around them. The friends are placed in a backpack and begin to wonder where they are going, all of which are an impending doom. One story follows Plastic as she tries to find out exactly what type of thing she is. Another story deals with Lumphy's fear of the washing machine after he gets peanut butter all over himself. Other stories deal with jealousy and the worry of disappointing others. With the help of other friends, Tuk Tuk (a bath towel), Frank (the washing machine) and my favorite, the one eared sheep.

This book was named a "BEST BOOK AWARD" from the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and a Junior Library Guild Selection. A good way to describe the book is a combination of Toy Story and Winnie the Pooh blended with any cartoon on Nick Jr. or any other cartoon aimed at preschool aged children. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if these adventures are made into a television show at some point. There are several funny parts that made me bark out loud, such as the poor buffalo getting his tail accidentally ripped off and some spots of funny dialog between friends. I really enjoyed Paul O Zelinsky's black and white illustrations. This book would be a very good read aloud to young students while emerging readers will enjoy the quick pace and easy reading of each adventure. With that being said, the book left me with a feeling of disappointment due but I don't know why. Perhaps I had higher expectations of it going in because of all the awards it has earned.
While I think as a whole, there are much better books on the list this year, I could see this being a favorite of many kids in the younger grades, while more intermediate readers might chose to read something else. Some readers may find that toys playing checkers and reading books may be a little far fetched, but heck, what more do they expect from talking toys, bath towels, and washing machines. This book will also be a favorite of many parents and teachers. Again, a great read aloud book. Although there were a lot of good qualities to the book, there was something that made it fall short for me that I just can't put my paw on. Maybe it's the Saturday morning cartoon feel of the book. I am going to give this book:


Now if you'll excuse me, I have a new fluffy sheep that is begging to have it's squeaker ripped out of it.

- The Reading Dachshund

Publisher: Schwartz & Wade
ISBN: 0375836047
Price: $16.95

* 2008 William Allen White Master List - Elementary

Punished by David Lubar*

Ever heard some really bad jokes? Most of them are probably a play on words of some sort. Wouldn't chew just love to be able to think of these witty play on words off the top of your head? Now you can begin to understand how our words have many meanings hear in this book.

Logan and his friend, Benedict, are given a research assignment which requires them use resources other than the internet, which forces them to go to the public library. While at the library, they begin chasing each other (yes, running in a library) and Logan ends up running into a mysterious old man, Professor Wordsworth. Being disrespectful towards him, Wordsworth tells Logan that he needs to be punished and by blowing dust off of an old book, casts a spell on him. As a result of this spell, Logan unconsciously starts answering questions and speaking in ridiculous puns. His "new found humor" makes friends and adults groan at him because of his bad word play. Professor Wordsworth makes a deal to cure Logan, if he can finish three tasks for him in three days. The tasks force Logan to take pictures of oxymorons, place anagrams in a bag, and place rubber bands around palindromes. Logan learns about words but due to some problems trying to complete the tasks he may have to be punished forever.

The author does a good job of making use of the English language to introduce readers to terms that they may not have been familiar with before. He also opens it up for some great language arts lessons. The story is a quick read and kids will find that unwrapping the mysteries is very a peeling. It's as easy as a pizza pie to read.
This book is much better red on your own. If a teacher is going to Rita loud to their students, it's best if each person has their own copy so they can sea the puns and the tricky word play fur themselves. Students will find the conversations funny, while adults will the feel the need to grown at the puns.
My master and I both very much appreciate a play on words and think kids will too. So, I'm giving this book:Since listening and seeing this book, my mind is constantly in motion thinking of some punny things that I could say. This book is seriously funny! Ha I just said an oxymoron. At leash I'm getting better at it. Ha! Orange you glad I'm such a witty dog! Oh man, some one stop me, it's going to be hard to behave my shelf. Ok, I definitely knead some help.

- The Reading Dock send

Publisher: Darby Creek Publishing
ISBN: 1581960638
Price: $15.95

* 2008 William Allen White Master List - Elementary

Gossamer by Lois Lowry*

Have you ever wondered anything about your dreams? Where do they come from? Why do we dream about the things we do? Dreams are always interesting. Dreams can also be scary, happy, or frustrating - when am I ever going to catch that squirrel I keep chasing in my dreams? It's always teasing me, stealing my biscuits and running up into a tree. Anyway, this book attempts to explain the origin of dreams and how they come to us, both good ones and nightmares.
The story begins with a small creature named Little One who is being taught the job of giving dreams to people. Her teacher, Thin Elderly, and her spend each night in an old woman's house giving her dreams by pulling "fragments" from things she has touched and passing those off to her at night in the form of a dream. It's when the old woman receives a young 8 year old boy named John with a troubled past, as a foster parent, that Little One learns important things about her job. She is also to acquinted to the Sinisteeds, the giver of nightmares. These bad dreams are given to the little boy. It's up to Little One and her "gossamer touch" to help the boy battle the dreams that he is constantly being haunted by. The story also jumps to another "dream-giver" whose assignment is to give dreams to the boys struggling mother.
Other than being somewhat excited about the importance of a dog named Toby in the story, I was not very impressed with this story. I could relate to Toby's dreams and wonder if there are "Little Ones" responsible for my dreams as well. I am always interested about anything to do with dogs in books, but I was a bit disturbed by the young boy's troubled past, who as it turns out, was abused by his stepfather. I'll leave it at that and you can read for yourself.
Unless there is a real ambitious reader, they won't even get to the part in the story of the boy's troubled past. I think this will be a very difficult read for young people. Not that there are difficult words (other than convoluted) but that the story is not very exciting and could be hard to hold the interest in readers. One of the reasons for the disinterest could be idea of the "dream-givers". Are they fairies? Are they visible creatures? What do they look like? It's hard to relate to a character, that you can't physically picture in your mind.
Because I don't think younger readers will like this haunting story of dreams, I am giving this novel:


While Mrs. Lowry has had many well written novels (the Giver being my owner's favorite) this one is missing something that I can't quite place my paw on. I think the book is written for readers aged 10+, I think it's true appreciation will be from audiences a more teenaged (13-16 yrs) reader, so it could possibly do well on the middle school list on which it was placed.
Now, I'm going to go curl up in my nice sunny spot of the house to see if I can finally catch that darn squirrel. So, if you hear my sleep barking, please just pat my head and leave me to my chase.

- The Dreamy Dachshund

Publisher: Gale Group
ISBN: 9780786289479
Price: $16.00

* 2008 William Allen White Master List - Middle School

Phineas L. MacGuire...Erupts!, by Frances O'Roark Dowell*

Science, science, science. Man how I love science. When there is a book about science, I get really excited. The latest book that we read really made us excited about the subject matter, science labs. A book is even more enjoyable when it makes us laugh. This novel covered both of those areas.
Phineas L. MacGuire, Mac for short, is a 4th grader who has a feeling of lonliness when his best friend, and fellow science geek, has moved to a different state. Mac is going to have to make some new friends to start a new school year. With Science being his favorite subject, he is worried that he won't find anyone he can relate to. The problem is, the only person he can relate to is a girl in his class, Aretha, but he is "allergic" to girls. A new student in class, named Mac R. as well, has proved himself to be very obnoxious, especially to Mac. It doesn't any easier for Mac when he is teamed for the big 4th Grade Science Fair with Mac R who pushes his patience and opens him up to the thoughts and feelings of others.
A very humorous story that is good for 3rd and 4th grade students that will keep their interest and even anticipate the forthcoming books. The best part is that there are some easy to do science experiments at the back of the book that readers could do at home. How fun!
Again, other than being just a good entertaining read, it's hard to say why this was put on the Master List, there is usually some theme to the list (historic fiction, cultural fiction, thought provoking fiction, etc). My only guess is that there is reference to Lawrence, Kansas in the book. I hope the book was on the list for it's entertainment value. It is so entertaining in fact, that I am giving this book a rating of:


Yet another tail wagger on my end. This is going to be a very popular book for intermmediate readers and I am excited to see how kids interest in science is sparked because of this story. This is a book I would lick and sniff this book a few more times and I am looking forward to future novels.

- The Scientific Dachshund

Publisher: Alladin
ISBN: 1416901957
Price: $16.99

* 2008 William Allen White Master List - Elementary

One Handed Catch by M.J. Auch*

Ever wonder what it would be like to go about your everyday life without a hand? How would that change my thinking and motivation and determination? I've seen those videos of little dogs like myself in "wheelchairs" because their back legs are not functioning and it looks a bit cumbersome and uncomfortable to say the least.

This story is about a young man who had to overcome just as much adversity. The book takes place in 1946, just after World War II and Norm loves the game of baseball and is a very good artist. During a freak accident in his father's meat shop, Norm loses his hand in a meat grinder. (Which is probably the most witty and humorous way to describe a tragedy I've ever heard.) Norm is the narrator throughout the story and through his commentary, we learn about his apprehension and worries that come with losing an appendage. His determination to still play baseball is what drives him to always look at the positive. With the help of his hard working family and his sometimes doubting friends, Norm practices and practices to make the baseball team by the end of summer. Without the use of one of his hands, will Norm's dreams of playing baseball come true or will he have to turn to other talents due to his injury.

This is a very good book for anyone with a disability. and has some obstacles to overcome. Norm's perseverance is inspiring to readers. The novel is a nice mix of humor, empathy, and hope. Although the subject matter might be one that would seem to appeal to boys, I think that girls would like the novel too due to the narrator's optimistic attitude towards his unfortunate accident. The story is based on the author's real life husband and his life growing up. Because it appeals to such a variety of readers and the great use of humor throughout the book I am giving this novel:


There are some books that make my tail wag and there are some books that make me want to jump up on the back of my chair and look at things out the window while being read. This book was definitely a tail wagger.

- The Reading Dachshund

Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
ISBN: 9780805079005
Price: $16.95

* 2008 William Allen White Master List - Middle School

Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes

You know, there are phases in children's literature in which all stories seem to have a same central theme. How many Harry Potter type stories have come out over the past few years. This summer, the theme in children's books seems to be loss, and more particularly death.
Bird Lake Moon is another book that falls into that category. The story is told in alternating chapters from the perspective of two boys, 12 year old Mitch and 10 year old Spencer. The novel starts with Mitch who moves with his mother to their grandparents house at Bird Lake after his father leaves them. Faced with being lonely, Mitch begins to create a hideaway at the abandoned neighbors house which he claims as his own. That is until the real owners (the Intruders as Mitch calls them) move back in. That is when Spencer is introduced. Through Spencer's eyes and thoughts, we learn that the family is returning to the home for the first time since the death of his older brother over eight years prior. Mitch takes exception to their return and decides to leave little tricks and pranks around the house. Events which have coincidences to Spencer's dead brother, who he thinks is haunting them. The boys eventually become friends and seem to bond together before Spencer suddenly has to move back due to his mother's inability to cope with the location of her son's death.

And that's about when the story ends. What? The novel ends with both boys wondering what each other are doing and moving on with life. Although the writing is intellectual and intriguing throughout, I'm no sure that young readers will want to stay with it until the end, and if they do, be satisfied with the anti-climatic closing. Might be a book to recommend to a reader who is trying to themselves deal with divorce or death. This story would probably be more appreciated by upper middle school students and not elementary reader males for whom it was probably most intended.
I give the novel:

Not one of my favorites as of late mainly because of the ending, or lack there of, but definitely one worth reading.
Oh goody, the bathroom door is left open, now's my chance to see just how far that roll of paper can extend before it runs out. Until next time, I'm off!

- The Reading Dachshund

Publisher: Greenwillow Books
ISBN: 978-0-06-147078-3
Price: $16.99