Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 01/01/2013 Stick Dog (so named for his rudimentary depiction by narrator Tom, who claims an inability to draw) and his doggy friends—Poo Poo, Karen, Mutt, and Stripes—are strays living in a suburban park. One day they detect “a pleasant aroma” (grilling hamburgers) and decide to satisfy their hunger at whatever cost. The chase that follows involves distractions (a squirrel in a tree), misunderstandings about the family that is grilling, and a series of ludicrous attack plans that surprisingly results in a tasty conclusion. Watson’s humorous debut novel is reminiscent of Jeff Kinney’s Wimpy Kid and Lincoln Peirce’s Big Nate series. It features succinct text, oversize type, and frequent cartoon illustrations, all printed on what looks like notebook paper. The humor and format will attract readers, but the canine camaraderie, development of distinct characters, sprinkling of perceptive comments, and Stick Dog’s quiet but effective leadership (in particular, his kind responses to his pals’ ridiculous attack plans) will ensure devoted fans. Here’s hoping more Stick Dog adventures are in the works. - Copyright 2013 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 02/01/2013 Gr 3–6—The young narrator of this tale gets in trouble with his teachers for drawing stick figures and using improper sentence structure. However, that doesn't stop him from telling an amusing, heartwarming story with plenty of humorous asides about an intrepid canine. Stick Dog may be homeless, but he's resourceful enough to make a nice place for himself in an empty pipe, filled with a comfy cushion and lots of discarded toys. He's got a close-knit bunch of canine pals: Poo-poo, Karen, Stripes, and Mutt. The only thing he's missing is food, so when the buddies get a whiff of hamburgers from the nearby park, they take off. But levelheaded and kind Stick Dog can't quite get the mission going as he would like. First, Poo-poo is obsessed with an acorn-throwing squirrel along the way; then Stripes is convinced that the people barbecuing are "super-warrior humans" not to be fooled with when she sees the weaponlike barbecue fork; and finally, Karen disappears searching for potato-chip appetizers. Stick Dog handles everyone's distractions with grace, but he's bent on getting to those burgers. The ridiculous plans devised by each dog to actually get the food escalate the humor. Watson has created lovable characters whose faults make them even more endearing. The stick drawings are the perfect fit for this story.—Diane McCabe, John Muir Elementary, Santa Monica, CA - Copyright 2013 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.