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The Carver Chronicles #1
Dog Days
It's tough being the new kid. Gavin had lots of friends at his old school, but the kids at Carver Elementary don't even know that he's pretty good at skateboarding, or how awesome he is at soccer. And when his classmate Richard comes over and the boys end up in trouble, not only does Gavin risk losing his one new friend, he has to take care of his great-aunt Myrtle's horrible little dog as punishment. To make matters worse, Gavin seems to have attracted the attention of the school bully. Will he be able to avoid getting pounded at the skate park? And how is he ever going to prove he's cool with a yappy little Pomeranian wearing a pink bow at his side? "English returns to Carver Elementary, the setting of her Nikka and Deja books, in this strong kickoff to her Carver Chronicles series. Freeman's upbeat spot illustrations and English's accessible storytelling target the book to emerging independent readers." (Publishers Weekly)
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
About the author
Karen English
37 books60 followersKaren English is a Coretta Scott King Honor Award-winner and the author of the Nikki and Deja and The Carver Chronicles series. Her novels have been praised for their accessible writing, authentic characters, and satisfying storylines. She is a former elementary school teacher and lives in Los Angeles, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
August 28, 2018
Read for Battle of the Books.
Honestly this is kind of terrible. It's well written, and I like Gavin's character but everyone else is horrible.
Gavin and his friend Richard sneak into Gavin's sister's room, and Richard breaks a snow globe. He blames Gavin for not catching it, and Gavin gets into trouble. His sister enjoys making him miserable and his parents don't seem to care. Then his Aunt Myrtle comes to dinner and forces Gavin to eat his peas even though he gags the whole time. Who cares if he eats them one at a time as long as he eats them!? He wasn't even fussing about it, he knew he had to eat them, and so he did, but she's sitting there glaring at him the whole time and his parents aren't doing anything about it. Then she stays for a week and Gavin has to take care of her terrible dog as punishment for breaking the snow globe. She also has ridiculous rules on how the dog needs to be walked and is annoyed that the dog hasn't pooped even though she told Gavin to bring the dog back soon. Gavin is picked on by every person, and even Richard who's supposed to be his friend doesn't do anything but goes along with it. Sure, he helps to look for the dog when it goes missing but doesn't do anything. This book just irritated me. Young kids might find it funny, but I just found it upsetting.
Honestly this is kind of terrible. It's well written, and I like Gavin's character but everyone else is horrible.
Gavin and his friend Richard sneak into Gavin's sister's room, and Richard breaks a snow globe. He blames Gavin for not catching it, and Gavin gets into trouble. His sister enjoys making him miserable and his parents don't seem to care. Then his Aunt Myrtle comes to dinner and forces Gavin to eat his peas even though he gags the whole time. Who cares if he eats them one at a time as long as he eats them!? He wasn't even fussing about it, he knew he had to eat them, and so he did, but she's sitting there glaring at him the whole time and his parents aren't doing anything about it. Then she stays for a week and Gavin has to take care of her terrible dog as punishment for breaking the snow globe. She also has ridiculous rules on how the dog needs to be walked and is annoyed that the dog hasn't pooped even though she told Gavin to bring the dog back soon. Gavin is picked on by every person, and even Richard who's supposed to be his friend doesn't do anything but goes along with it. Sure, he helps to look for the dog when it goes missing but doesn't do anything. This book just irritated me. Young kids might find it funny, but I just found it upsetting.
May 15, 2018
Gentle story of Gavin's everyday adventures. A perfectly fine book, and hooray for diversity, but boy, howdy, am I not the intended audience here.
I am also really puzzled, because the blurb talks about Gavin being a new kid in school and how that's hard -- and honestly, if that's even mentioned in the story, I didn't notice it. It does explain why he puts up with Richard's completely terrible friendship (Richard is really bad at being a friend).
I am also really puzzled, because the blurb talks about Gavin being a new kid in school and how that's hard -- and honestly, if that's even mentioned in the story, I didn't notice it. It does explain why he puts up with Richard's completely terrible friendship (Richard is really bad at being a friend).
November 13, 2018
11/10/18 ~ I appreciate a boy of color on the cover. English's overly adult voice when narrating her protagonist's thoughts/perceptions sometimes throw me out of the story. This voice occasionally feels too didactic.
Did I purchase this series for my elementary library? Yes. I think Gavin's predicament with his aunt and the little, yappy dog will resonate with a number of my readers. Also, I have many fans of the Nikki & Deja books, and I think they'll pick up these books.
Did I purchase this series for my elementary library? Yes. I think Gavin's predicament with his aunt and the little, yappy dog will resonate with a number of my readers. Also, I have many fans of the Nikki & Deja books, and I think they'll pick up these books.
October 21, 2019
[Third Grader][Spoil Alerts]
I just read a realistic fiction named "Dog Days", written by Karen English, illustrate by Laura Freeman. The main characters are Gavin, Gavin's sister Danielle, Aunt Mrytle, Aunt Mrytle's dog Carlotta, and Richard. It is written from a third person point of view.
In the beginning of the book, Gavin is new to Caver Elementary School and he has only one friend named Richard. Richard came over to Gavin's house to play. They played video games which Richard got bored of in a few minutes. Gavin told Richard that his sister Daniella kept candies under her bed. When they got into Danielle's room to take the candies, Richard threw Danielle's precious snow globe from New York to Gavin. Gavin didn't catch it in time so it shattered into pieces.
In the middle of the story, Gavin got a punishment to pay for the snow globe. He had to walk Aunt Mrytle's horrible little dog named Carlotta for one week, but he kept being laughed at by Harper a bully, Darnell who is Richard's brother, and Georgy Johnson who is their friend. Gavin also found out that Harper stole a toy and he planed to tell the shopkeeper.
In the end, on the last day of the dog walking, Gavin got home but Carlotta was missing! His mother sent Gavin and Danielle to find Carlotta. Their dad got on his car and drove around to look for her too. Gavin asked Richard for help, and they looked around in the neighborhood. Then Gavin spotted someone with Carlotta! He showed a flyer about Carlotta to the girl. She was sad but she gave Carlotta over. When Gavin got back home, his whole family was surprised and happy! Uncle Vester gave Gaven two ten dollar bills. Finally, Gavin is free of Miss Carlotta and Aunt Mrytle.
I like Gavin because he has a lot of common things with me. We both play soccer, and we are both third grader and new to a school. Gavin doesn't like peas just like me. I think Gavin is brave and nice because when he saw Harper stole a toy, he planned to tell the store owner.
My favorite part of the book was when Gavin found Carlotta and he got 20 dollars as a reward. I feel so happy for Gavin!
I just read a realistic fiction named "Dog Days", written by Karen English, illustrate by Laura Freeman. The main characters are Gavin, Gavin's sister Danielle, Aunt Mrytle, Aunt Mrytle's dog Carlotta, and Richard. It is written from a third person point of view.
In the beginning of the book, Gavin is new to Caver Elementary School and he has only one friend named Richard. Richard came over to Gavin's house to play. They played video games which Richard got bored of in a few minutes. Gavin told Richard that his sister Daniella kept candies under her bed. When they got into Danielle's room to take the candies, Richard threw Danielle's precious snow globe from New York to Gavin. Gavin didn't catch it in time so it shattered into pieces.
In the middle of the story, Gavin got a punishment to pay for the snow globe. He had to walk Aunt Mrytle's horrible little dog named Carlotta for one week, but he kept being laughed at by Harper a bully, Darnell who is Richard's brother, and Georgy Johnson who is their friend. Gavin also found out that Harper stole a toy and he planed to tell the shopkeeper.
In the end, on the last day of the dog walking, Gavin got home but Carlotta was missing! His mother sent Gavin and Danielle to find Carlotta. Their dad got on his car and drove around to look for her too. Gavin asked Richard for help, and they looked around in the neighborhood. Then Gavin spotted someone with Carlotta! He showed a flyer about Carlotta to the girl. She was sad but she gave Carlotta over. When Gavin got back home, his whole family was surprised and happy! Uncle Vester gave Gaven two ten dollar bills. Finally, Gavin is free of Miss Carlotta and Aunt Mrytle.
I like Gavin because he has a lot of common things with me. We both play soccer, and we are both third grader and new to a school. Gavin doesn't like peas just like me. I think Gavin is brave and nice because when he saw Harper stole a toy, he planned to tell the store owner.
My favorite part of the book was when Gavin found Carlotta and he got 20 dollars as a reward. I feel so happy for Gavin!
August 5, 2016
Dog Days by Karen English and beautifully illustrated by Laura Freeman is the first book in the scheduled The Carver Chronicles series and unpacks gently with the introduction of Gavin, a new third grader at Carver Elementary. Unlike his old school Bella Vista Elementary where he had lots of friends, Gavin managed to make only one friend, Richard.
Gavin is eager to impress his only friend Richard, but the latter is not a true friend at all. As a result, Gavin finds himself dog-walking for his Aunt Myrtle to earn money to pay back his older sister Danielle. Dog Days is simple, true-to-life, fun and exciting. Though written primarily for children between 6 - 9 years, adults will also enjoy the book as they will be able to relate to Gavin's predicaments as they too might have been through similar situations when they were the same age as Gavin.
Gavin is eager to impress his only friend Richard, but the latter is not a true friend at all. As a result, Gavin finds himself dog-walking for his Aunt Myrtle to earn money to pay back his older sister Danielle. Dog Days is simple, true-to-life, fun and exciting. Though written primarily for children between 6 - 9 years, adults will also enjoy the book as they will be able to relate to Gavin's predicaments as they too might have been through similar situations when they were the same age as Gavin.
August 12, 2016
One Sentence Review: Though I'm a big fan of English's Niki & Deja books this one didn't quite hit it out of the park the same way those others did (which, that said, doesn't mean it isn't still a fine and fabulous early reader that every library should own).
August 20, 2017
It was a decent kids book
December 11, 2019
A young boy, who maybe doesn't always make the right choices, has to suffer the consequences of his actions and if he learns a lesson while it is all going on even better.
Read
April 3, 2015Dog Days nails the kid perspective. Gavin is an all around nice kid, but a kid nonetheless. While sneaking into his sister’s room to eat her candy with his friend they manage to break Danielle’s prized snow globe. Gavin is worried, but more for himself than for his sister who he sees as a pain. His punishment, walking his aunt’s dog, seems so unfair and he gripes about in exactly the way a kid would.
His new friend Richard is not the best friend around, but again Gavin uses his kid logic and doesn’t seem to mind too much. He gets irritated, but most of the issues roll off his back and even when he is mad he is quick to forgive.
The book would be perfect for kids who love realistic fiction and while it has a message in it that comes through Gavin’s realization that he might care for his aunt’s silly dog, it never feels heavy handed. This is the first in a series too, which makes it a good fit for the third/fourth grade crowd. The reading level is a bit high, but manageable and Freeman’s cute illustrations break up the story perfectly.
As an adult reading the story you can see where it’s going and you can tell that Gavin isn’t seeing the whole picture. This is particularly funny when his Aunt comes to stay and his mother is suddenly not home nearly as much. From her sighs and body language, which Gavin notices, but doesn’t understand, it’s clear that his mother is not happy about Aunt Myrtle’s visit. Gavin just sees her absence as abandonment and doesn’t think much past himself (not in an annoying way), which is totally something a kid would do. This second layer would make it a good bedtime read aloud for parents and kids to share together.
His new friend Richard is not the best friend around, but again Gavin uses his kid logic and doesn’t seem to mind too much. He gets irritated, but most of the issues roll off his back and even when he is mad he is quick to forgive.
The book would be perfect for kids who love realistic fiction and while it has a message in it that comes through Gavin’s realization that he might care for his aunt’s silly dog, it never feels heavy handed. This is the first in a series too, which makes it a good fit for the third/fourth grade crowd. The reading level is a bit high, but manageable and Freeman’s cute illustrations break up the story perfectly.
As an adult reading the story you can see where it’s going and you can tell that Gavin isn’t seeing the whole picture. This is particularly funny when his Aunt comes to stay and his mother is suddenly not home nearly as much. From her sighs and body language, which Gavin notices, but doesn’t understand, it’s clear that his mother is not happy about Aunt Myrtle’s visit. Gavin just sees her absence as abandonment and doesn’t think much past himself (not in an annoying way), which is totally something a kid would do. This second layer would make it a good bedtime read aloud for parents and kids to share together.
February 1, 2016
Dog Days is about Gavin, who has just moved to a new neighborhood and new school. When he invites his new friend Richard over they sneak into his sister’s bedroom to grab a couple pieces of candy from her hidden stash, but Richard tosses a snow globe to Gavin as a joke. Gavin misses the unexpected toss and the globe smashes on the ground. Of course, Gavin immediately gets caught and has to face the punishment.
The punishment is having to walk his Aunt’s cruddy, ankle-biting Pomeranian, Carlotta, everyday after school, before he even gets to have his snack, five whole wheat crackers with grape jelly. It’s unbearable! The story goes through the week as Gavin walks Carlotta, tries to make friends with Richard and avoid the school bully Harper and keep up with his school work.
It was a bit weird how pretty much everyone was giving Gavin a hard time, from his sister to the girls at school there were very few friendly people in the neighborhood. Every day Gavin had a run in with somebody, a teenager at the park who denied that his dog had Carlotta’s chew toy, the girls who found Carlotta in the end were little jerks, even when it was obvious that Carlotta was Gavin’s missing pet, they kept trying to find excuses to keep her.
Finally in the end Gavin is able to come home and have his snack of wheat crackers and grape jelly. I could really sympathize with him at this point, it’s really tough when a comforting routine, like having a specific snack at a specific time, is disrupted, especially when it’s replaced by something unpleasant, like a chore.
This was another book I am considering for the summer 1-3 grade book club.
The punishment is having to walk his Aunt’s cruddy, ankle-biting Pomeranian, Carlotta, everyday after school, before he even gets to have his snack, five whole wheat crackers with grape jelly. It’s unbearable! The story goes through the week as Gavin walks Carlotta, tries to make friends with Richard and avoid the school bully Harper and keep up with his school work.
It was a bit weird how pretty much everyone was giving Gavin a hard time, from his sister to the girls at school there were very few friendly people in the neighborhood. Every day Gavin had a run in with somebody, a teenager at the park who denied that his dog had Carlotta’s chew toy, the girls who found Carlotta in the end were little jerks, even when it was obvious that Carlotta was Gavin’s missing pet, they kept trying to find excuses to keep her.
Finally in the end Gavin is able to come home and have his snack of wheat crackers and grape jelly. I could really sympathize with him at this point, it’s really tough when a comforting routine, like having a specific snack at a specific time, is disrupted, especially when it’s replaced by something unpleasant, like a chore.
This was another book I am considering for the summer 1-3 grade book club.
April 12, 2017
Gavin is the new kid at Carver Elementary, but he thinks he's found a friend in Richard. When the two boys sneak into Gavin's sister's room to steal her candy, though, disaster strikes. Richard tosses Gavin's sister's snow globe, and before Gavin can catch it, it shatters against the dresser. Now Gavin is being forced to walk his great-aunt's yappy little dog for a week in order to make the money to pay back his sister. Could life get any more unfair? Turns out, this is just the beginning of Gavin's troubles. Will Gavin make it to the end of the week? And what will he learn along the way?
I liked the style of this book. It really seems to show the world from a kid's perspective. Sometimes adults are unfair, sometimes other kids are mean, sometimes you don't get a snack or a chance to go to the skate park, but life goes on. Gavin's a relatable kid with a good heart. Sometimes he does things he shouldn't, but he has a solid understanding of right and wrong and he feels sympathy for others.
I would recommend this book to grades 2-4, especially readers who like realistic fiction. This would be great for African-American boys who don't often find books with someone who looks like them as the protagonist. The STAT series by Amare Stoudemire would be a great readalike for this, as well as the Nikki and Deja books by this author, as well as the Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look.
I liked the style of this book. It really seems to show the world from a kid's perspective. Sometimes adults are unfair, sometimes other kids are mean, sometimes you don't get a snack or a chance to go to the skate park, but life goes on. Gavin's a relatable kid with a good heart. Sometimes he does things he shouldn't, but he has a solid understanding of right and wrong and he feels sympathy for others.
I would recommend this book to grades 2-4, especially readers who like realistic fiction. This would be great for African-American boys who don't often find books with someone who looks like them as the protagonist. The STAT series by Amare Stoudemire would be a great readalike for this, as well as the Nikki and Deja books by this author, as well as the Alvin Ho series by Lenore Look.
November 30, 2013
After his family moves, Gavin struggles with finding friends in his new elementary school, Carver. No one there knows about his skateboarding or his personality, and even Richard, the one classmate who shows signs of being a possible friend, seems rather untrustworthy. To add to his unhappiness, his parents insist that he walk his Aunt Myrtle's fluffy Pomeranian, Carlotta. At first Gavin thoroughly dislikes the little dog, partly because of her yappy barks and partly because he fears what others will say when they see him with such a little dog. But over time, he starts feeling affection for her. Fans of the Nikki and Deja stories may like this one since it features some of the same characters. I appreciated all the dilemmas that Gavin faces and how he handles being teased by Harper, an older boy who makes some questionable decisions. Although Gavin himself is not perfect, he seems to learn from his mistakes, making him an excellent literary role model for young readers. I look for more in this series.
August 4, 2016
Summary:
It's not easy being a new kid. Gavin has just begun the third grade at a new school. He had plenty of friends before, but making new ones is difficult. He thinks he has made a new friend, but things don't turn out quite like he had hoped. As punishment for his misdeeds, Gavin has to walk his aunt Myrtle's Pomeranian. Not only is this little dog a horror, but how is Gavin ever going to prove he is cool while walking a little poofy dog with a bright pink bow?
My thoughts:
This is a sweet story with quite a few beautiful illustrations. Gavin goes through a lot of changes and his relationship with the dog also evolves over the course of his punishment. I liked how Gavin deals with his problems and attempts to both find himself and his new friends in this new situation. It was a book that definitely brought back memories of "I'm not your friend anymore" days in third grade. There is a good focus on responsibility and consequences, which is something that I don't see much in younger grade novels. Good lessons on some tough growing up issues.
It's not easy being a new kid. Gavin has just begun the third grade at a new school. He had plenty of friends before, but making new ones is difficult. He thinks he has made a new friend, but things don't turn out quite like he had hoped. As punishment for his misdeeds, Gavin has to walk his aunt Myrtle's Pomeranian. Not only is this little dog a horror, but how is Gavin ever going to prove he is cool while walking a little poofy dog with a bright pink bow?
My thoughts:
This is a sweet story with quite a few beautiful illustrations. Gavin goes through a lot of changes and his relationship with the dog also evolves over the course of his punishment. I liked how Gavin deals with his problems and attempts to both find himself and his new friends in this new situation. It was a book that definitely brought back memories of "I'm not your friend anymore" days in third grade. There is a good focus on responsibility and consequences, which is something that I don't see much in younger grade novels. Good lessons on some tough growing up issues.
November 6, 2014
I read this book via Skype with my 7 year old grandson. We loved this book!!
As a grandmother, I loved that the story was based on a family. The family consisted of a father, a mother, a daughter and a son. There were also extended family members of a great-aunt and great- uncle.
The main character Gavin breaks a rule and has to suffer the consequences. Not only did he have to suffer, he had to make retribution as well. In order to pay his retribution, he had to complete a daily chore for one week to earn the money.
My grandson loved this book because the chore Gavin had to perform was to walk his great-aunt's miserable little dog. He learned about a dog doing her "business" and the need for picking up and disposing of the "business". I don't think he wants a dog anytime soon!!
Great story with character building lessons. Just enough snarky remarks between siblings to make it funny to a 7 year old. I'm glad we chose this book as our first long distance read.
As a grandmother, I loved that the story was based on a family. The family consisted of a father, a mother, a daughter and a son. There were also extended family members of a great-aunt and great- uncle.
The main character Gavin breaks a rule and has to suffer the consequences. Not only did he have to suffer, he had to make retribution as well. In order to pay his retribution, he had to complete a daily chore for one week to earn the money.
My grandson loved this book because the chore Gavin had to perform was to walk his great-aunt's miserable little dog. He learned about a dog doing her "business" and the need for picking up and disposing of the "business". I don't think he wants a dog anytime soon!!
Great story with character building lessons. Just enough snarky remarks between siblings to make it funny to a 7 year old. I'm glad we chose this book as our first long distance read.
January 15, 2018
Gavin hoped his sister wouldn't notice the missing snowglobe if he cleaned everything up fast enough. But she did, and she went and complained straight to their great-aunt Myrtle, who's moving in for a whole week with her yippy little dog Carlotta. Aunt Myrtle thinks it's a great idea for Gavin to earn some money to pay for the broken snowglobe (even if it was really his friend Richard who broke it), and no one second-guesses Aunt Myrtle. Gavin doesn't think it can get worse that walking around the neighborhood with a fluffy little monster on a leash, but then he loses her favorite chew toy AND the school bully starts taking a special interest in him. This is the first in a chapter book series from the writer of the Nikki & Deja books (the girls serve as side characters here). With a spot-on voice and accessible dilemmas for elementary graders, DOG DAYS is perfect for readers who like school stories with plenty of humor and heart.
July 21, 2014
Third grader Gavin just moved to a new school and is anxious to make a good impression. This is the first in a spin off series of Karen English's Nikki & Deja series with both girls appearing briefly in the story. Gavin is a compassionate little boy who sometimes lets his impulses win over his better judgement. In this story after one of these incidents involving a friend and his sister's broken snow globe, he receives the punishment of walking his Aunt Myrtle's snooty Pomeranian dog who attracts the school bully's attention. Gavin is realistically depicted and his reactions will elicit many nods of agreement from reader's his age. This is a welcome addition to books about young African American boys from strong loving families.
February 12, 2021
Gavin is a normal boy. He tries to be kind and do as his parents wish, but sometimes he makes mistakes. When he shows a friend his sister's secret candy stash and they accidentally break one of her prized possessions, Gavin must face the consequences: Walking his aunts little yapping fluffy dog everyday while she stays with his family. Gavin is new at school. How will he make friends and prove he is cool while he has this horrible dog with him? In the end, Gavin learns a lot about doing the right thing and how we can sometimes find a friend we'd never expect. This series features English's popular Nikki and Deja characters and is a great early chapter book for boys who just want to read about a boy they can relate with.
March 29, 2014
Who hasn't had a relative who thinks they are your parent? Gavin's Great Aunt Myrtle comes to stay for a visit and starts telling Gavin how to behave, eat his vegetables and not bother his older sister. Gavin sneaks into his sister's room with his friend, Richard, and they break her sno-globe. So Aunt Myrtle decides that Gavin will walk her dog and earn the money back to pay for it. Gavin runs into plenty of problems walking the dog, such as bullies, and embarrassing moments. This story rings true, especially when Gavin feels it is unfair that adults get to lie, but it's not ok for kids to lie. An enjoyable read for boys and girls.
November 23, 2014
Dog Days was a great book for early readers. The storyline was easily relatable to readers of all ages, and even as an adult I found myself pulled into the story, wondering how things would work out for Gavin. This is a great book about family, friendship, and responsibility, and how those things all relate while growing up.
A good activity for children would be to compare and contrast events that happen in the book with events that happen in children's own lives. Do they have a family member that reminds them of Gavin's aunt? Do they have a sister, but unlike Gavin, they get along with their sister?
English, K., & Hines, L. (2013). The Carver chronicles Dog days. Clarion Books.
A good activity for children would be to compare and contrast events that happen in the book with events that happen in children's own lives. Do they have a family member that reminds them of Gavin's aunt? Do they have a sister, but unlike Gavin, they get along with their sister?
English, K., & Hines, L. (2013). The Carver chronicles Dog days. Clarion Books.
February 26, 2023
Gavin is starting at a new school this year, and has all the problems of the "new kid"; only one friend, a bossy older sister, a bully, and now due to an accident, he has to walk his visiting Great-Aunt's dog, Carlotta, a yappy Pomeranian, every day for a week after school to earn money to pay off the debt he owes. This down to earth tale in the life of a third grader will charm the reader with its witty humor, and real life issues as seen through the eyes, and mind of the newest student at Carver Elementary.
January 26, 2014
Dog Days is a great story for children (especially boys) between the ageas 6-9 years old. Laura Freeman does a beautiful job with the illustrations as they jump off the page and into your heart. This says its the first book in the scheduled The Carver Chronicles series. The process of being a 3rd grader, starting and new school and making new friends. So many things that a elementary student can relate to and understand.
February 12, 2021
Gavin is new to his school and looking for a friend. Richard proves impulsive and unreliable. Gavin and Richard steal Gavin's sister's candy and then break one her souvenirs. As punishment, Gavin must walk his great-aunt's pampered Pomeranian every day for a week. This short early chapter book has an authentic 3rd grader's voice. The dog walking episodes are quite funny. It is a bit weak on disapproving of bad choices.
February 12, 2021
I dunno. I think the Aunt was unrealistically blind, and I'm not too sure about the parents. Gavin seems like a real kid sometimes, and like a mini adult others. I did really like the glimpses of how the school, presumably an urban school in a challenging neighborhood, is run with high standards & expectations. Were I of any of the target demographic readerships I would read further in the series, but since I'm not, I won't.
June 14, 2014
Short chapter book that is a school story, with a main characters boys. Gavin is new to the school, and has some problems with a bully. When his aunt comes for a visit, Gavin has to walk her dog every day after school. Nikki and Deja who, English wrote stories about are from the same school Gavin attends and are mentioned in the book.
May 1, 2014
Good third grade style beginning chapter book with common plot of new kid at school, bully kid problems and an added flavor of aunt's little yippy dog. The third person narration makes the whole story kinda remote and less urgent.
March 23, 2018
I really wanted to like this one, but it was very hard to get into-maybe because it was written in third person. I am still willing to give the series a chance, so I will reserve my final opinion until I have read at least one more book in the series.
September 18, 2020
I thought the book moved at a good pace and the characters were believable.
December 20, 2020
it was really good i liked b/c Gavin the main character had to walk his great-aunts dog b/c his friend Richard threw his sisters snow globe that she got from NY and Gavin had to earn the money.
April 4, 2022
Gavin moved recently, and his potential new friend, Richard, breaks Gavin's bratty sister's prized snow globe (from NYC! Once in a lifetime trip!)("Catch!) while he's over after school. Gavin's punishment: walk his visiting great aunt Myrtle's yappy Pomeranian, Carlotta, complete with big pink bow, every day after school, to earn the $ to replace it.
Gavin has to navigate Richard's faulty friendship, embarrassment about walking Carlotta in public (and picking up her poop!!), his sister, Danielle--who is always angling to make the most of her tragic loss--and bossy aunt Myrtle Then a bigger kid at the playground takes her chew toy! Then she disappears!! Gavin steps up and makes everything turn out OK, pays off his debt--and realizes he might even miss Carlotta.
Tangential contact with Nikki & Deja
Gavin has to navigate Richard's faulty friendship, embarrassment about walking Carlotta in public (and picking up her poop!!), his sister, Danielle--who is always angling to make the most of her tragic loss--and bossy aunt Myrtle Then a bigger kid at the playground takes her chew toy! Then she disappears!! Gavin steps up and makes everything turn out OK, pays off his debt--and realizes he might even miss Carlotta.
Tangential contact with Nikki & Deja
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2021
We are a 2nd grade reading group. We loved the drama in Dog Days, especially when Carlotta goes missing. It is a great book if you like surprises and action. This is a very realistic book if you like realistic fiction. We did not like Richard because he was not a good friend, but we loved Carlotta because she is SO cute! If you like dogs, you might like this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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