Waggit Again

May 1, 2009
Gr 4-7-When Waggit, a dog, runs away from a farm where he was left by his owner, he begins a dangerous journey. His goal is to return to New York City's Central Park where he had lived with a pack of dogs until a woman had adoptedand then desertedhim. He befriends Felicia, a woman who can talk to dogs. He also ends up traveling with Lug, a pit bull afraid of his own shadow. The trio makes it to Central Park where Waggit is reunited with his friends but encounters some disturbing changes within the pack that he must help to rectify. Waggit is an empathetic main character whose resilience will endear him to readers. The challenges he encounters create a fast-paced tale. The wide range of human and animal characters adds interest to the story, such as kindly and resourceful Felicia and vicious and clever Tashi, leader of a rogue pack. Some special terminology is introduced to show how dogs might perceive certain things, e.g., humans are called "uprights," rats are known as "scurries," and horses are referred to as "longlegs." A glossary helps readers understand these terms, which are at times a bit awkward and, maybe, unnecessary in this spirited and appealing adventure."Carol Schene, formerly at Taunton Public Schools, MA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2009
Grades 4-6 Abandoned again? Waggits fans will wonder why his kind adoptive owner, whom we met in Waggits Tale (2008), left the endearing young pooch on a farm to be mistreated. When he finally breaks free, Waggit sets his nose on course for Central Park and his old gang of streetwise canines fighting for survival. An incredible journey to be sureand luckily helped along by wise, gutsy Felicia, a footloose and somewhat homeless human who can talk to dogs. Howe has penned another action-filled heroic fantasy with new evils and challenges for Waggit to overcome. Rayyans charming drawings introduce each chapter.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2009
This sequel to Waggit's Tale follows the white dog's escape from a country farm. An Upright (human) with a gift for understanding Dog helps Waggit in his quest to find his old gang in Central Park; conflict between two groups leads to a sad moment. This otherwise fairly tame adventure will appeal to young Uprights who love pups.

(Copyright 2009 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)