The Tuesday Review: "How to Steal a Dog," an unusual chapter book

How to Steal a Dog

by Barbara O'Connor

“Step 1: Find a dog.” According to Georgina Hayes, this is the first step in stealing a dog, which is her solution to help her family out of their terrible predicament. Georgina, her mother, and her younger brother have recently had to leave their home and now live in their car. Georgina becomes desperate to get out of this situation; she and her family have to scrounge for food, wash up in the bathrooms of gas stations and restaurants, and wear the same clothing day after day.

Georgina decides that if she steals a dog from wealthy family, they will assume the dog is lost and post signs that say “Reward for Lost Dog.” Then she will bring the dog back to them and collect the reward money.

Georgina’s plan does not go smoothly. Time after time, unexpected complications occur, and Georgina has to make some difficult decisions about what is right and what is wrong.

This book keeps the reader engaged and curious about what will happen to Georgina and her family. Their challenging circumstances make it best for mature children in Grades 3 through 6.

The Tuesday Review: "The Runaway Dolls", a must-read chapter book

The Runaway Dolls
by: Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin, pictures by: Brian Selznick

Imagine if dolls came to life when their owners weren't looking. This is exactly what happens in the series "The Doll People". "The Runaway Dolls" (the third in the series) is filled with excitement and adventure as Annabelle Doll (an antique porcelain doll) and her best friend Tiffany Funcraft (a new plastic doll) find an unexpected visitor. This mysterious doll, the two girls, and their entire doll families get into lots of trouble as they venture out of their owner's home and find themselves in a large department store. Once in the store, the dolls meet other toys of all shapes and sizes-even other Tiffany Funcraft dolls! Can the girls make it home by the end of their owner's vacation? Will they put all of doll kind in danger?

Come into the library and check out this fabulous book and the other two in the terrific series!

The Tuesday Review: "The London Eye Mystery", a must-read chapter book!

(We are starting a new routine of book reviews on Leroy's blog. Each Tuesday, we will post a review of a book from our collection, alternating between picture books, easy readers, and chapter books. Feel free to comment or suggest a book that we should include.)

The London Eye Mystery
by Siobhan Dowd

Random House, c. February 2008

This new chapter book is a puzzling mystery set in London. A boy named Salim disappears from "The London Eye," a gigantic ferris wheel-type ride. His cousins, Ted and Kat, watch him get on the ride, keep track of which compartment he is in as it goes around, and then watch and wait for him to get off. No sign of him! This book keeps the reader guessing, and the story is made better by the interesting family members and their relationships. A must-read for kids in grades 4 through 8!

Come on in and check out this great book!