Invasion of the Dognappers

January 15, 2012
A rash of dognappings prompts a young sleuth's obvious (to him) conclusion that space aliens are to blame. Seeing several dogs suddenly vanish, leaving collars and leashes behind, 10-year-old Logan gallops over the understandable doubts of his friends and his open-minded single mom to organize an "Intergalactic Canine Rescue Unit." Under its aegis, he stakes out his own aging and comically flatulent hound Bubba and cruises the ragged edge of a major grounding by haring off after supposed suspects without parental notification. Being the sort of author who could play his premise either way, Jennings (Guinea Dog, 2010; Beastly Arms, 2001) chucks in clues and red herrings galore but keeps readers in the dark--until, more than halfway through, Logan's determined investigation brings him face to snout with the culprits and lands him penned, naked, among the missing canines. Rising ingeniously to the triple challenge of escaping, negotiating the return of the purloined pooches and keeping his clothes on (they keep disappearing), Logan proves a protagonist worth admiring--displaying a level of focus and dedication matched only by his long-standing, gonzo obsession with aliens. Just another alien invasion headed off by solid detective work. (Science fiction. 10-12)

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April 1, 2012

Gr 4-6-Logan always seems to notice things that other people miss, such as when the dogs in his hometown suddenly go missing, He is certain that they have been abducted by aliens and he is on a mission to get them back. Unable to do it alone, he recruits some friends and forms the Intergalactic Canine Rescue Unit. Can they get the dogs back? Were they really abducted by extraterrestrials and, if so, why? Jennings has the vocabulary of middle graders down pat (with lots of references to flatulence and other gross things). Readers will relate to Logan, who has a busy working mom and a bratty younger brother. This is a good choice for readers, even reluctant ones, who like humor, mystery, and science fiction all rolled into one.-Tammy DiBartolo, Rapides Parish Library, Alexandria, LA

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

December 1, 2012

Gr 8 Up-Mia Dellatorri is possessed by a demon. With an opening scene reminiscent of Linda Blair's ordeal in The Exorcist, readers are drawn into this intriguing and unique story. Mia is saved by a pair of long-lost Italian relatives and is subsequently whisked off to Milan for her own safety, where she learns the ancient family trade of demon hunting. She learns about much more than demons-she uncovers plenty of mysteries in her own family history as she discovers the history of Milan. Beyer combines atmosphere, characterization, and plot for a believable demon-infested story, replete with ghosts, a touch of romance, an exotic setting, and history to enrich the narrative. Mia's personal growth matches the intensity of the tale, which will surely be continued in further books, as there are plot threads left dangling. The "girl in a pretty dress" cover does not quite match the mood or quality of the book, but it might attract readers who will be pleasantly surprised to find a supernatural novel with a fresh premise worthy of note.-Angela J. Reynolds, Annapolis Valley Regional Library, Bridgetown, NS, Canada

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.