Dog Days

Disgusted about spending the summer with the grandniece of her baby-sitter, Rosie Riggs soon discovers that she and Skinny-Bones share a love of the "Super-Dog" books

Grade 3-5-- Rosie, a little girl with a big vocabulary, is unhappy about having to spend the summer with "Skinny-bones" Scott, the outcast of the neighborhood, while Skinny-bones's aunt babysits for Rosie and her sister. The two girls initially keep their distance from one another; however, in the time it takes Rosie to turn to her handy thesaurus to find just the right words to describe the situation--"abominable and nefarious"--the two girls become friends, united by the thrill of having famous author Dawn O'Day and her wonder dog, Sandy, move in next door to Rosie. They soon discover, however, that Sandy is not really a wonder dog and that Miss O'Day is painfully shy and not eager to make friends. A funny, well-written story that gives the messages--although a bit heavyhandedly at times--that things are seldom what they seem and that friendship can come in all shapes and sizes. Even though her initial unkindness toward Skinny-bones is glossed over too quickly, Rosie is essentially a likable and believable character who reacts appropriately to the events around her. A well-paced, enjoyable story. --Jane Marino, White Plains Public Library, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Rosie Riggs is more than a little dismayed to find out that she will be spending her summer days with a new baby-sitter, the elderly Miss Scott, and Miss Scott's grandniece "Skinny Bones," the weirdest kid in school. At first, vacation turns out to be as awful as Rosie has expected, but then a celebrated writer moves into the neighborhood. Sharing a love for Miss O'Day's books about Sandy the Super Dog, Rosie and Skinny Bones form a fast friendship as they desperately try to meet the reclusive author and her famous golden retriever. The girls' attempts to win notice prove futile until Miss O'Day faces a crisis and all the neighbors pitch in to help. Rosie emerges as a plucky preteen who learns that first impressions can often be misleading. This novel lacks the depth of some of Rodowsky's earlier works, such as What About Me? and Julie's Daughter , yet it does provide plenty of humor, numerous ironic twists and memorable characters. Ages 7-11.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.