Review: S.A.V.E. Squad Book 1: Dog Daze by Lauraine Snelling and Kathleen Wright

SUMMARY FROM NETGALLEY.COM:

When sixth-grader, Aneta Jasper, is reluctantly named one of the winners of the Oakton Founders’ Day poster contest, she and three girls—with nothing in common but their differences—must pull off a successful event for the first-ever Founders’ Day. The girls come together through the rescue of a small Basset Hound they dub Wink, which leads to their idea for a Founders’ Day Waddle—a fund-raising Basset Hound walk, a doggie fashion show, and a photo contest. But when the mean girls stir up trouble, it’s up to the city council to decide whether the Waddle will waddle at all.

MY TAKE:

As I was reading this book, I remembered an old series way back when I was a kid, which featured kids trying to save the environment. I'm not sure what happened to that series, but I hope The S.A.V.E. Squad series will be a more successful series in the kids-doing-good Children's Lit genre category.

After winning a poster contest, Aneta, a Ukranian child who was adopted by an American lady, finds herself trying to come up with a fund-raiser concept, along with three girls who she feels she has nothing in common with.

While reading the book, I felt bad for Aneta. I'm not an immigrant, but I do know how tough it can be sometimes to try to communicate with others in a language that is not your native tongue. Sometimes, even if you think you're already fluent in a language, you find yourself stuttering or at a loss for words.

My favorite character is Sunny because she was the most upbeat and funny of the girls. I liked the fact that the girls would mention God every now and then, but not in a preachy way so girls of all religions can still relate to them.

One thing, though, I was quite surprised with the plot twist midway through the story because the summary does not mention it. I think it would be great if they added it to the summary because it seems as though what's written on the summary is the big plot twist in the book, when actually, there are two major plot twists in the book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Barbour Publishing, Inc., for the e-ARC. Publication date of S.A.V.E. Squad Book 1: Dog Daze is on March 1, 2012.

THE GOOD:

1. The girls don't spend most of their time on things like boys, clothes, etc. I like reading chicklit and YA books, but it's nice to read about a group of girls that actually do something.
2. There are some good moral lessons throughout this book.
3. Children can learn more about taking care of dogs.

THE BAD:

1. I didn't feel any connection to Aneta. I felt bad for her because of her struggles with English, but aside from that, I didn't really feel anything.

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

"A forever home," she said, rolling the words around in her mouth. They sounded safe.

READ IT IF:

1. You like reading about girls who have adventures.
2. You have a child or know someone who was adopted from another land and the child is struggling with adjusting to life in a foreign country.
3. You are looking for children's books with Christian characters.

RATING:

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