Top Dog for Kids Summer Reading 2015

One of the best parts of my job is visiting schools to talk about my library’s summer reading program. In my county, by reading fifteen books, kids can earn a booklet full of prize coupons for things like free ice cream, two for one skate park admissions, and my favorite, a free Krispy Kreme donut. I know - no fair that adults can’t get in on this deal!

I always tell the kids that sure, winning prizes for reading is fun, but the best part is all the great books they get to read. I don’t mention the real reason their teachers want them to read over the summer. Warding off a slide in their reading skills is not at the top of most kids’ summer to-do lists.

Since fun is at the top of young readers’ lists, I was thrilled to discover that the author of one of my favorite adult mystery series has started a series for children. Spencer Quinn, author of the Chet and Bernie books, has written a book for kids age 8-12. Quinn’s fans will be happy to learn that Woof: A Bowser and Birdie Novel is Son of Chet and Bernie. The elements that make his adult series a hit make Woof a treat for young readers. Play fair mystery? Check. Adventure? Check. Hilarious, overly enthusiastic narration by fun-loving canine? As Bowser would say, check check check!

In Woof, our narrator is Bowser, a rescue dog adopted by eleven-year-old Birdie Gaux (pronounced “Go”). The Gaux Family Fish and Bait Company is run by Birdie’s Grammy, a tough lady who takes care of Birdie while her mother works on an oil rig off the shore of Angola. Birdie’s father was a police officer killed in the line of duty, so it’s just Grammy and Birdie running the family business selling bait and running boat tours of the Louisiana bayou.

When Grammy and Birdie get Bowser home from the animal shelter, they discover that Black Jack, a prize marlin that was mounted on the wall of their shop for years, has been stolen. Now Black Jack isn’t just any big fish. It’s been rumored for years that a treasure map was hidden behind Black Jack’s right eye. Is that the reason for the theft? The mystery deepens. Who is the mysterious man cruising up and down the bayou in a boat called Fun ‘n Games? Could a mysterious lady named Maybelline hold the answers?

Gum chewing gumshoe Birdie is a tough minded little girl who won’t take no for an answer. She’s devoted to her honest-as-the-day-is-long Grammy, but when she thinks the police aren’t doing enough to solve the theft, Birdie takes action. The action involves an attempted kidnapping and a gator attack but bad guys and gators are no match for a protective dog like Bowser. Quinn does a good job providing the thrill of danger while keeping the upsetting elements PG rated. 

Though the mystery and the bayou setting are fun, it’s Bowser’s narration that makes this book top dog. Seeing the world from the viewpoint of a loveable mutt with impulse control problems will keep kids laughing. When faced with an unattended sandwich, Bowser thinks “The ham sandwich was pretty much right in front of my face. No one was saying ‘Bowser, do not make a play for that ham sandwich.’ What else could that mean but Go get it, big guy!”

Or:

“One quick sniff and I knew that BLTs were in that basket. BLTs were an odd human invention, sandwiches filled with weird tasteless stuff no one in their right mind would be interested in -- except for the bacon. In case you missed that, I'll mention it again: bacon!”

Reviewers have compared Birdie to Scout of To Kill a Mockingbird and Alan Bradley’s Flavia deLuce – bright, inquisitive kids who take matters into their own hands. Luckily for Birdie – and us - she’s got loveable Bowser to help her sniff out clues.

My top mystery pick for summer reading fun? Woof by Spencer Quinn.