Because of Shoe

Gr 3–6—Wendy Orr, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Thacher Hurd, Ann M. Martin, Valerie Hobbs, Matt de la Peña, and Jon J. Muth are among the writers included in this anthology. Students looking for a hilarious story will enjoy Mark Teague's "Science Fair" in which a nerdy science whiz is determined to take first place in this year's fair. He's convinced he is a genius, and he can't understand why his solar-powered pooper-scooper hasn't netted him top honors in the past. In "Trail Magic," Margarita Engle writes evocative verse about a boy whose horrific early life revolved around his mother's cruel dogfighting business. When she is sent to prison, the boy goes to live with his forest-ranger uncle and his dog. The natural world and his inspiring relative help heal him from his nightmarish past, as does his bonding adventures with Gabe. There's sure to be a story here to please any dog lover, whether it's a mystery about a poodle napper, a realistic tale about a picked-on Latino boy with a "wolfigator" mutt, or a thrilling adventure in which a lovable but chicken-killing dog has been given his last warning. Occasional black-and-white spot art by various illustrators captures the personalities of the canines and their antics.—Diane McCabe, Loyola Village Elementary School, Los Angeles H