Boys Are Dogs - Review

Title ~ Boys Are Dogs
Series ~ Annabelle Unleashed
Author ~ Leslie Margolis
Release Date ~ September 2, 2008
Age Group ~ Middle Grade
Publisher ~ Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books
Source ~ Kindle Store

GOODREADS SUMMARY

Annabelle’s all-girls elementary was very different from Birchwood Middle School where the boys run through the halls like wild animals. But with a little experimenting, Annabelle realizes that like her new puppy, maybe boys can be trained too.

Featuring Annabelle’s hilarious take on friendship, boys, and her all-new life, this novel / survival guide perfectly captures the joy—and agony—of junior high school. And it might just teach you how to tame the wildest beast of all, the teenage boy.

REVIEW

Boys Are Dogs is a really cute book with an entertaining plot. Annabelle and her mother have just moved in with her mother’s boyfriend. His name is Ted, but Annabelle calls him Dweeble. They give Annabelle a puppy to help her deal with all the changes. The puppy comes complete with a training manual that becomes a key part of the plot.

One of the big changes for Annabelle is her school. She starts sixth grade at a co-ed middle school and realizes just how immature the boys can be. I mean no disrespect to tween boys when I say this, but they can be pretty annoying to us girls sometimes. The boys in this book kick Annabelle’s chair, call her a spaz, and generally act like clowns.

Annabelle decides that she will train the boys by using her puppy training manual. She even crosses out the word “dogs” and changes it to “boys.” Annabelle uses techniques like “make eye contact” when she trains the boys. These scenes are hilarious and they kept me laughing. I can totally imagine training the boys at school with these techniques!

Leslie Margolis captures the spirit of being a tween in this fun book. Watch for my review of the follow up book, Girls Acting Catty.

RATING

4 Liked

COVER COMMENTS

Bright colors and a catchy title make for a great middle grade cover. It’s perfect!