Dog Squad (Dog Squad #1)

by Chris Grabenstein (Author)

Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Dog Squad

Introducing DOG SQUAD, the crime-fighting, tail-wagging, hilarious new series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library and coauthor of Max Einstein!

When trouble calls . . . it's DOG SQUAD to the rescue!

Duke is not your average dog. Along with his crew, he fights crime and goes on claw-biting adventures helping dogs in peril in the hit streaming sensation--DOG SQUAD! Fred is a pretty average dog. He's scrappy. He's loveable. But he's not brave like his heroes on Dog Squad.

Fred looks an awful lot like Duke from Dog Squad though. In fact, when Duke needs a stand-in, Fred's the perfect choice. But the Dog Squad action doesn't always stop on screen! When there's danger in real life, can Fred find the courage to step up and save the day?!

It's all paws on deck in this action-packed, middle grade adventure series just right for anyone who loves dogs--and anyone who loves to laugh!

"Plentiful action and "pawsome" puns. Doggone fun."--Kirkus Reviews

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Kirkus

Doggone fun

ALA/Booklist

In frequent ink-and-fill scenes (not seen in finished form), Hughes depicts the courageous canine in action from various dramatic angles. Grabenstein bills his "wags-to-riches" tale as a series kickoff, but notwithstanding a broad hint about the next episode, this stands all four paws firmly on its own.

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6--Grabenstein's hilarious series starter begs readers to explore what it means to be a hero. Presented in third person, the story chronicles a dog's journey from famine to fame. Left behind by his owners, Fred must fend for himself. Along the way, he encounters breeds kind and cruel at a city shelter, a Broadway performance, and Second Chance Ranch, where Jenny and Abby train strays to become stars for the popular Dog Squad television series featuring famous canine idols Duke, Nala, and Scruffy. As a mixed-breed dog, Fred faces identity challenges. He looks exactly like the real Duke in the show, but he thinks he's just an average pup. When Fred finally meets the real Duke, he reconsiders his assumptions. Rendered in tight, snappy prose, each chapter builds a narrative arc that leaves readers wondering what will happen next. The tone is humorous, and characters are similar to the kids whom readers might encounter. Laced with positive messages but never preachy, this allegorical, fast-paced, rollicking adventure will appeal to all readers. VERDICT Through expertly paced conflict and characterization, this canine adventure shows what it means to be brave.--Jennifer Strattman, Freelance Writer, Cambridge, NY

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 

gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood

Chris Grabenstein
CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is the New York Times bestselling author of the wildly popular Mr. Lemoncello series, the Welcome to Wonderland series, and many other books, as well as the coauthor of numerous page-turners with James Patterson, including the Max Einstein series, and of Shine!, cowritten with Chris's wife, J.J. Grabenstein. Chris lives in New York City. Visit him at ChrisGrabenstein.com and on Twitter at @CGrabenstein.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780593301739
Lexile Measure
570
Guided Reading Level
T
Publisher
Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication date
May 20, 2021
Series
Dog Squad
BISAC categories
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV001000 - Juvenile Fiction | Action & Adventure
Library of Congress categories
Dogs
Adventure and adventurers
Television
Production and direction

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