Middle Grade Monday: New Kids and Underdogs by Margaret Finnegan

Image: Simon & Schuster

New Kids and Underdogs by Margaret Finnegan. 288 p. Atheneum Books for Young Readers/ Simon & Schuster, October, 2022. 9781534496408. (Review of finished copy courtesy of Blue Slip Media.)

Middle Grade Monday features New Kids and Underdogs by Margaret Finnegan. Robyn Kellen is preparing to be the "new kid" yet again. Her mom's a biology professor and they have moved around for her job a lot. This move to San Luis Obispo promises to be permanent though. Still, Robyn creates ten rules for being the new kid and decides to follow them. Things at her new school start out okay. She's befriended by two girls, Lulu and Marshan, who warn her away from Alejandra, who wears purple every day. She also seems to catch the attention of a blond haired boy who reminds Robyn of a snake and makes snide comments. 

When she and her mom pass by an agility training class while on a walk in a nearby park, Robyn is intrigued enough to ask about lessons for her two special needs rescues, Sundae and Fudge. The trainer abruptly nixes the idea and Robyn is disappointed. But the trainer's grandson, Nestor, is in her class at school, and he's willing to train her dogs, for a price. Both Robyn and Nestor need help with math and Alejandra, who skipped a grade volunteers to tutor them if she can join the training and Robyn brings the snacks. Can Robyn keep this a secret from Lulu and Marshan? 

There's a lot to like about this book. The dog training angle adds a fresh twist to the moving house theme. The dogs, especially Robyn's rescues, Sundae and Fudge are engaging characters with distinct personalities. I love the fact that they were not only rescues, but also had special needs. The dog training/ care was seamlessly woven into the narrative. I also appreciate that Robyn's parents were friendly and equally committed to raising their daughter.

The dialogue and school situations ring true. Readers will ache for Robyn as she navigates her rules, some of which contradict each other. Tween readers who enjoy gentle stories with realistic relatable issues will embrace New Kids and Underdogs. 

Fact Friday: Poop Detectives: working dogs in the field by Ginger Wadsworth

Poop Detectives: working dogs in the field by Ginger Wadsworth. 80 p. Charlesbridge Publishering Inc., October, 2016. 9781580786504. (Review from finished copy courtesy of publisher)

This short version was on the morning announcements: If our Fact Friday features doesn't grab your attention, you are not listening to the morning announcements. Poop Detectives: working dogs in the field by Ginger Wadsworth features an up-close and personal photo of a dog's nose on the cover and seven information-packed chapters about how the idea came about, how dogs are trained for the jobs and how they help scientists. Plenty of full-color photographs, of the dogs, not the scat, illustrate how much these dogs love their jobs and their handlers.

Review: Oh man, why did it take so long to get to this book? Sadly, it migrated to the bottom of the pile and sat there until yesterday. 

As a dog owner, I know all too well a dog's devotion to scent, especially excrement. If I am not careful, my shepherd will stick his nose up my lab's butt while he's trying to poop! The lab is prone to not only yanking me from one smell to another, but also to pee over where his shepherd brother tinkles. 

The title may be playful, but the narrative is all business. (Ha! Pun unintended.) Fun is definitely had in the sub-titles, like, "The Guru of Doo-Doo." The introduction tells the story of Freddie the border collie who was turned into an animal shelter because of his energy demands. His need for engagement and exercise make him almost un-adoptable; that is until a dog trainer who specializes in working with wildlife biologists arrives bouncing a tennis ball. Freddie's laser-sharp concentration on the ball earns him freedom as the qualities that make him a difficult family pet, namely an over-abundance of energy, make for an excellent sniffer dog. 

We are quite familiar with working dogs who sniff out bomb materials and drugs. Most will not know how a dog's ability to sniff animal excrement can be useful. It seems scientists can learn a lot about the animal's health by examining scat. But finding scat in the wild often proves elusive. Enter air scenting dogs and scientists are able to find their brown gold.

The book is beautifully designed with plenty of white space and at least one full-color photo on each page. The stock is sturdy and will hold up well to repeated readings as this high-interest topic will demand. The text is engaging and well-organized with seven chapters covering the whys and hows of training these working dogs. 

The backmatter is impressive. It includes an author's note, acknowledgements, a photograph depicting what a handler carries in his or her pack; photo credits; a glossary; resources that include books and websites; quotation sources; a selected bibliography and an index. 

Poop Detective is perfect for your fact hounds, dog lovers and budding scientists. Display it prominently and it'll circulate widely.