Don't let the cover fool you, this is a pretty heartwarming book, about 2 independent, dog-crazy boys who've been in a hard, hungry spot for a long time. Russell's dad is in prison and he's staying with an uncle. Sean's the youngest of 5. They manage to bust a dog-fighting ring, find a steady source of income, and find a path back to trusting their adults. ( )

A fast read delightful story of two friends with similar hardships who are determined to do the right thing despite their horrible role model parents! A great lesson learned!! ( )

Chapter Book
Realistic Fiction

Two best friends decide to create a dog poop scooping business. They are "geeky" and picked on in 4th grade. They want to buy a dog who can defend them against the pesky bullies.

Two boys start a poop scooping business and stumble upon a dogfighting ring. Fast-paced and entertaining. ( )

Life is not easy for these two best friends Shawn and Russell who both lack many of the essentials of life. They both have to overcome adversity. They live in somewhat impoverish conditions and are bullied mainly because of it.
Russell lives in a camping trailer behind his Uncle’s house because Russell believes his Uncle Cory is irresponsible and not trustworthy according to his father who himself is in jail. But is Uncle Cory as irresponsible and not to be trusted as Russell’s father says?
The boys decide to get a dog to protect them from the bullies they have to deal with. They begin scooping poop one scoop at a time to make the $200 they need for one of Princess’ puppies.
Princess, a Rottweiller, looks vicious, far from what her name suggest of her. She seems to always want to attack them when they see her and her puppies in the basement of the house owned by a scary guy named Nick.
One time, they arrive at the wrong time. It doesn’t take much for Russell to understand something bad might be happening after hearing barking, growls, and cries from the dogs along with people seeming to be having a good time coming from the garage behind Princess' house.
On the next visit to see their puppy and make another down payment on it, the boys discover not only is Princess cut up and injured but so are the three pit bulls that are kept cages in the yard.
As the boys learn compassion for the dogs in trouble they see their vision of having a dog scary enough to protest them might not be the right thing at all. And that dogs can be in need of protection themselves not unlike Shawn and Russell.
I loved this story. The author’s clever writing on a serious subjects and the well timed jokes make it a book worth reading for grades 5 and up.

JD Holiday
5-13-11 ( )