  | Welcome to Dog Beach (Seagate summers) Author: Greenwald, Lisa | |
| Price: $6.50 | ||
Summary:
Twelve-year-old Remy loves the traditions of Sea Gate, the island where her family spends every summer vacation, but after her grandmother and a special dog die, and her relationship with best friends Bennett and Micayla changes, Remy takes comfort in the company of the Dog Beach--where she hatches a plan to bring her friends closer and recapture the Sea Gate magic.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 4.80 Points: 9.0 Quiz: 166242 |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (02/01/14)
Booklist (04/01/14)
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books (A) (05/14)
Full Text Reviews:
Bulletin for the Center... - 05/01/2014 Without her beloved dog, Danish, summer on Seagate won’t be the same for eleven-year-old Remy—and if she wants one thing, it’s for life on her beloved island to never change. Though Seagate holds many bittersweet memories of her deceased pooch, Remy finds plenty of pet substitutes, as she and longtime friends Micayla and Bennett have identified several fellow vacationers whose dogs need looking after. Micayla seems increasingly annoyed and distant, though, while Bennett wants to spend more time with island newbie Calvin, whose unpleasant twin sister, Claire, makes Remy’s skin crawl. As Remy navigates this unwelcome new territory, she learns that change may not be comfortable, but with the right perspective—and the therapeutic power of four-legged friends—it might not be so bad. Remy’s coming-of-age dilemma captures the growing pains of the tween years, when friendship dynamics shift, making longtime besties surprisingly difficult to talk to and platonic pals puzzlingly attractive. Despite its accurate observations and on-point insights, this entrée into author Greenwald’s new Seagate series could stand to lighten up, as the plot is labored and Remy’s adherence to the way things have always been veers into tedium. Still, dog devotees and aspiring entrepreneurs will find a friend and mentor in Remy, who adroitly combines her puppy love with a knack for business. She’ll also make a good companion for those self-serious tween readers looking for a little sympathy on the perplexing and often unpleasant road to adolescence. AA - Copyright 2014 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.
Booklist - 04/01/2014 For 11-year-old Remy, Seagate Island, where her family vacations every year, is perfect because “summer after summer, it always stays the same.” But this summer is different. Her beloved dog, Danish, has died, and Remy misses him terribly. Her best friends Micayla and Bennett are branching out from their trio: Micayla is spending more time with Avery, who lives on the island year round, and Bennett is doing dumb “boy” things with new pal Calvin. Plus, jokes from adults about Bennett being her boyfriend are starting to feel strange instead of stupid. Remy’s love for dogs puts her in the ideal position for a summer job dog-sitting the island’s canine residents, but she worries this, too, will take her farther away from her friends. Greenwald’s gentle read is tailor-made for those on the cusp of friendship misunderstandings, burgeoning popularity awareness, awkward crushes, and the wobbly feeling that can come from deviating from comfortable routine. All of Remy’s worries are soothed eventually, and happiness is well earned. This sweet series opener promises an agreeable journey. - Copyright 2014 Booklist.
