Flawed Dogs, The Novel: The Shocking Raid On Westminster by Berkeley Breathed
Philomel, Sept 2009
Ages: 8-12 (Kiwi recommends 12+)
Cautions: Shooting a dog, dog fights, other violence

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Personally, as a writer, reviewer and book lover, I couldn’t put this book down. The author, Berkeley Breathed, is truly original, an expert storyteller and clearly passionate about the plight of shelter dogs.

As a parent, I am unsure. I can’t picture myself reading this with a child or simply handing it over to a niece or nephew. The main character dog is shot and left for dead after being framed by another dog in the beginning of the book and faces other dire situations which cause him to lose a leg and participate in a dog fight. Although there are some hilarious parts in the book where the street dogs primp the show dogs with spray paint and hair trimmers, my overall impression of this book is that the author is a genius, but a child reading this book would have to be very sturdy and mature to cope with the violence.

As a ‘mother’ of two shelter dogs, I can’t agree with Berkeley Breathed more that you have to spark controversy to light some fires and draw attention to the plight of pooches in peril. My final advice is that a parent must read it first and initiate a discussion about the content of the book. Or get two copies and read it along with your child.

From the publisher:

The First Illustrated Novel From Pulitzer Prize-Winning Cartoonist And New York Times Bestselling Author
Berkeley Breathed

On The Heels Of His New York Times Bestselling Picture Books Mars Needs Moms!, Currently In Development With Disney And Robert Zemeckis As A Major Motion Picture, And Pete & Pickles, Pulitzer Prize Winning Cartoonist Berkeley Breathed Now Introduces His New Generation Of Fans To The Priceless Dachshund, Sam The Lion, And A Rag-Tag Group Of Loveable Hounds In Flawed Dogs, The Novel: The Shocking Raid On Westminster (Philomel; 978-0-399-25218-1; On Sale September 17, 2009; Ages 8-12; $16.99).

Bred To Be A Show Dog, Sam The Lion Is The Most Flawless Specimen Of Dog Imaginable; However, He Is Most Concerned With Being Heidy’s Best Friend. Sam And Heidy Forge A Fast Bond; He Provides Her Much-Needed Friendship In Her Reclusive Uncle’s Home. Sam, However, Is Framed For A Crime He Did Not Commit By The Jealous Poodle Cassius, And Is Shunned, Cast Out By Heidy’s Uncle To Fend For Himself On The Mean Streets.

Buy this book on Amazon.com

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