The Underdogs (The Underdogs #1)
by Tracey West (Author) Kyla May (Illustrator)
From the writer of the bestselling Dragon Masters series and the illustrator of the bestselling Diary of a Pug series comes a high-energy, illustrated chapter book series about four dogs who learn that being yourself is much more fun than being Best in Show.
Welcome to the town of Barksdale, where the canine residents strive for perfection. Every shopkeeper claims to be the "best groomer" or sell the "best biscuits." And at Barksdale Academy, the pressure is on every year for one pup to be named Best in Show.
Nova, Duke, Harley, and Peanut have never won Best in Show... which is okay with them! But they have to work together to pass their Agility Exam, because either the whole pack passes or the whole pack fails.
Nova has convinced her pals to train, but on her practice course, Duke is afraid to climb the high ramp, Harley keeps chasing squirrels, and Peanut can't make it through the hoops. Nova's not doing much better -- she's so excited she keeps knocking the whole course over!
Will the pups make the grade, or are they doomed to be Underdogs forever?With black-and-white illustrations on every page and hilarious antics throughout, this series is perfect for readers who are just starting to read chapter books on their own, or for anyone who loves a good underdog story!
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Kirkus
Laced with pun-filled humor, this high-spirited tale delivers its food for thought refreshingly free of preachiness.
School Library Journal
Gr 1-3--Four furred friends, Nova, Peanut, Harley, and Duke, are far from school stars at Barksdale Academy. Each year, the young canines of Barksdale take the K--9 agility test, and each year, these "Underdogs" are outshined by their high-performing classmates. But this year will be different, according to Nova. She is determined to get her ragtag team to the top. Nova has her work cut out for her, as each of the underdogs has to overcome a unique challenge--Nova's lack of coordination, Peanut's mess aversion, Harley's squirrel distractibility, and Duke's fear of heights. Not only do the plucky pups have personal obstacles to surmount, they endure teasing and embarrassment at the paws of their more agile classmates. After many valiant tries and as many flubs, it seems unlikely that the Underdogs will pass the test. Luckily, Nova has an idea that will get her team to the finish line on their own terms. West skillfully tackles creative problem-solving and self-acceptance while depicting school situations that young readers will find familiar. There are some sharply funny moments; fans of Captain Underpants and Aaron Blabey's The Bad Guys may wish for even more. May's quirky and cartoonish depictions of the Barksdale dogs are spot-on. VERDICT This first installment in the "Underdogs" series has promise and appeal. A great fit for most early chapter collections.--Sarah Simpson, Westerville P.L., OH
Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Tracey West is the author of the New York Times bestselling series Dragon Masters, for Scholastic Branches. She has written more than 400 books for children, including the Underdogs series, illustrated by Kyla May; the Pixie Tricks series, illustrated by Xavier Bonet, and the perennially popular Pokémon chapter books. She lives with her husband, adopted dogs, and chickens in the western Catskill mountains of New York State.
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV002070 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Dogs
JUV045000 - Juvenile Fiction | Readers | Chapter Books
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