Sunday, November 27, 2016

Tales from a Not-So-Perfect Pet Sitter by Rachel Russell

Cover image for Tales from a not-so-perfect pet sitterNikki believes all her problems are over when mean girl Mackenzie transfers to another school.  Then Nikki finds a box with a mother dog and eight puppies left on the steps of the dog shelter she and her friend (and crush interest), Brandon, helped to establish.  The problem is that the shelter is at capacity, so they need someplace to keep the dog family until they get openings at the shelter.  Nikki and three friends agree to take the dogs for 24 hours each but when Nikki asks her parents' permission they refuse. Rather than let down her boy friend, she decides to hide the dogs in her room over night. After all, how much trouble can eight little cute puppies be?

There used to be (and maybe she is still around) a lady in this area who was considered the guru of children's literature named Nancy Livingston.  She would say things like, "If you have never read Harry Potter you are illiterate" or "If you haven't read Diary of a Wimpy Kid, you are illiterate."  She is kind of right if you are involved in Children's literature in any way.  I was feeling illiterate because I had never read any of the Dork Diaries. This series is "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" for girls, and every time a new one comes out it is on the PW top 20 list for weeks. This is #10 in the series and was OK.  I can see why it is popular with the reluctant reader crowd. The story is light and entertaining with some fairly funny moments.  There is also a wish fulfillment element to it.  Even though awkward and embarrassing things happen, everything works out better than expected in the end.  It is pretty much popcorn and peanuts in print. (291 p.)


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