Ruff vs. Fluff by Spencer Quinn

From Goodreads,

"New York Times bestseller Spencer Quinn returns with a laugh-out-loud series about the most epic rivalry of our time . . . Arthur the dog vs. Queenie the cat.
From the outside, Queenie the cat and Arthur the dog appear to have a lot in common. Both pets live in the charming Blackberry Hill inn. They both love their humans, twins Harmony and Bro. They both have a fondness for sausage. 

But that doesn't change the fact that they are mortal enemies. 

Goofy, big-hearted Arthur loves everyone he's ever met . . . except the snobby, scheming cat who's devoted her life to ruining his. 

Queenie is a bit choosier. And who can blame her? When you're brilliant AND exquisitely beautiful, you can't be expected to rub tails with commoners. Especially not slobbery dogs. 

But when the twins' beloved cousin is framed for murder, Queenie and Arthur must work together to clear his name . . . something Queenie finds even more distasteful than inexpensive caviar. Can two enemies put aside their differences long enough to solve the mystery?"

Goodreads - Ruff vs. Fluff

It's time for yet another book from Scholastic.  I received this book free in return for a review of the book as a part of their Scholastic Insider.  The book choices for my grade level were both mystery/suspense books.  I definitely judge books by their cover and I felt like this book had a very cheap and childish feel to it.  Due to the book cover I was not looking forward to reading and reviewing this book, but alas I had to.

Arthur is a chubby dog who dislikes cats.  Queenie is a self centered cat who dislikes dogs.  Queenie and Arthur live under the same roof with their family Harmony, Bro, and Mom.  Everything is normal at the inn when a man checks in searching for the Sokoki Trail.  After being shown the trail Harmony and Bro return home.  The next day the man is found dead.  Harmony, Bro, and Mom work together to try to clear their cousin Matty who is being accused of murder.  Queenie and Arthur must work to find the clues and save the family. 

I really enjoyed the historical fiction ties this book had to Prohibition.  The whole story lies around the idea that whiskey was being smuggled from Canada into the United States during Prohibition.  I think that this would be a great way to teach about Prohibition and that alcohol was smuggled in.  Unfortunately, I feel like this topic would be lost on many of my fourth graders.  It is something we do not cover in standards and I would not use this in my classroom curriculum.

While I enjoyed the historical fiction aspect, there were a couple other problems I had with the book.  One was that it was a bit graphic and violent at times.  People were murdered and it gave details of how they were killed.  I felt like it was uncalled for in a children's book.  I also really despised the way this book was written.  It is written from the view of the dog and cat.  It gave an outside view of the story and was frankly just a pain.  I wish that it had just been told from the point of view of one of the kids.  I think it would be hard for a child to relate to a dog or cat's point of view.

Overall, this book was not one of Scholastic's best reads.  The mystery part of it was exciting, but the back story was not age appropriate.  I give this 2 stars because it just wasn't there for me as a good 4th grade level book.  I don't plan on putting this in my classroom because I feel like it is too high and student's wouldn't read it.

Kneeknock Rise by Natalie Babbitt

From Goodreads,

"From the moment young Egan arrives in Instep for the annual fair, he is entranced by the fable surrounding the misty peak of Kneeknock Rise: On stormy nights when the rain drives harsh and cold, an undiscovered creature raises its voice and moans. Nobody knows what it is and nobody has ever dared to try to find out and come back again. Before long, Egan is climbing the Rise to find an answer to the mystery."

Goodreads - Kneeknock Rise

Awards and Nominations:

• Newbery Honor Award (1971)

*This review contains spoilers!*

Do you ever think about the things we do, but we don't know why we do them?  Some people call them traditions, some call them superstitions, and some say that is just how it has always been done.  This book is a great book to read that really makes you stop and think about why we do the things we do.  I read Tuck Everlasting a few years back and was not disappointed with this book by Natalie Babbitt. 

Kneeknock Rise starts with a young boy named Egan traveling to Instep to stay with his aunt, uncle, and cousin.  Egan is excited to attend the annual fair for the first time.  He wants to hear the moans and groans of the Megrimum, the creature that lives at the top of Kneeknock Rise.  Everyone has their ways to protect themselves from the creature, but Egan is skeptical and decides to get answers for himself.

This book will definitely get you thinking about the things that we habitually do in life and why we do them.  In the book, the people who lived in Instep feared the creature that lived at the top of Kneeknock Rise.  Each person had an idea of a way to keep the creature away.  Egan's aunt and uncle believed they should put a wishbone on the mantle to show the Megrimum that there is no food in the house.  Egan ends up climbing Kneeknock Rise to find out what the creature is that everyone fears.  It ends up that there is no creature, but instead it is a hot springs in a cave that makes noises when it rains.  This whole book and concept of doing something without knowing why really got me thinking.  Why do we do some of the things we do?  Do we do them because someone tells us that is how it's always been done?  I worked at a Girl Scout camp for two summers.  The first summer I had never been there and had to learn the way things were done.  I would inquire why things were done a certain way and I always received the answer, "That's how we've always done it."  This was fine, but the second summer things changed.  I was in a different position and I had a lot of control over how things were done.  Some of the staff began questioning why I was changing the way things had been done for years.  I asked why it was done that way and they always shrugged and said, "That's how it's always been done."  I then promptly made the call to change things.  It is so good to change things up especially when no one knows why you're even doing something.  There are so many things in my life and that I experience that I do without even thinking about why I do it.  We need to learn to break the habits and traditions, especially when we're not even sure why we're doing it. 

This book really made me question things, but there were a few things that I didn't like about this book.  One was that this book didn't have defined chapters.  The book was separated by little designs.  There was no Chapter 1, Chapter 2, etc.  I didn't like that because I enjoy stopping at a chapter instead of stopping in the middle of the book.  I also found the names somewhat confusing and difficult.  It took a little bit before I sorted all the characters and knew their role in the book.  I think the names were meant to reflect the time period at which the book was taking place. 

This book was a very interesting book that really engaged my mind.  It started off slow, but it really took off in the middle of the book.  If you need a good mind bender then I recommend reading this to get you to question why you do what you do.  I give this 3 stars.  It was good, but I feel like it didn't come anywhere near Tuck Everlasting.

Calling Maggie May by Anonymous

From Goodreads,

"A dark and edgy first-person cautionary tale about how one girl’s seemingly minor choices quickly spiraled into a life as a sex worker in the tradition of Go Ask Alice and Lucy in the Sky.

She had a normal life, until one small decision changed everything. Suddenly, there were new possibilities and new experiences.

But not all of those experiences were good.

Read her shocking story in the diary she left behind."

Goodreads - Calling Maggie May

This book is part of the Anonymous Diaries.  I read Go Ask Alice first and enjoyed the idea of the book being based on a true story.  Things spiraled from there and I've read most of the books that are a part of the series.  I was so  excited to get this book checked off my list, but I felt really let down when I finally finished it.

This book is written in the traditional diary format with the name of the author being withheld.  The book starts with a teenage girl feeling lonely and wanting attention from a boy.  She ends up making a new friend who ends up being a prostitute.  The girl quickly falls into the same lifestyle of prostitution and things quickly spiral with her family, her friends, school, and her social life.  In true fashion the book comes to an end with an author's note about what happened.

I feel like the older I get the more I get annoyed with these books.  The author of this "diary" was very naive and childish.  She lived in a nice house with a nice family who cared deeply for her.  They were a little bit demanding as far as school was concerned, but she still had a positive atmosphere to go home to.  The author fell so quickly into the life of prostitution because she was able to get attention from boys and men.  I think that this idea of getting attention by selling your body is a terrible idea to put into the minds of young adults.  I think that any young girl who has self esteem or confidence issues would quickly think that selling your body would mean that a person likes you and that it will get you attention.  Also, any girl needing money may get the idea that they can easily sell their body to earn easy and quick cash.  I think it is important for difficult topics such as prostitution be included in literature for teens.  However, I think it needs to be introduced in a way that doesn't make it seem like a fun, appealing way to get attention or make money.  This book paints a false picture.  It briefly touched on the real parts of prostitution, such as drug use, abuse, rape, and death.  I feel like if prostitution was going to be the centerpiece of the book that it should have been painted realistically, and not in a way that makes it seem fun.

I always have the complaint that these books never include the author's name.  I always feel like I need a name to connect with a character.  The lack of a name for the main character always leaves me feeling irritated and finding a better connection with a secondary character.  The book is titled, Calling Maggie May.  I definitely thought that her hooker name was going to be Maggie May, but it wasn't.  I'm still not sure what the connection was to that name because the name Maggie May was never once mentioned in the book. 

I'm not sure why I keep putting myself through the misery of reading these books.  I guess I continue to hope that one of them will jump out and I'll love it.  I give this 1 star.  I don't advise this for young adults, especially those who are easily impressionable, wanting attention, or seeking money.  If you are reading through the Anonymous Diaries then I obviously recommend reading this, but if not you can absolutely skip it and not miss anything. 

Pug Pals: Two's A Crowd by Flora Ahn

Goodreads,

"A hilarious, highly-illustrated chapter book from debut author illustrator, Flora Ahn.

Two pugs. One beloved toy bunny. What could go wrong?

Sunny's new little sister, Rosy, is getting her paws into everything. When Rosy takes Sunny's favorite toy, Mr. Bunny, and loses him, Sunny is barking mad.

But when Rosy sets off on her own to find and rescue Mr. Bunny, Sunny starts to worry. Rosy's never been outside by herself before. Sunny will have to gather all the canine courage she has and go after them-before Rosy and Mr. Bunny are both lost fur-ever!"

Goodreads - Pug Pals: Two's A Crowd

I'm so glad that I'm able to be a part of the Scholastic Insider group.  They send me books to read, review, and share with my students.  So far it has been extremely exciting and my students have enjoyed getting new books into our classroom library.  This was the second book I received a few months ago and I'm excited to finally get to share it with all of you.

Pug Pals: Two's A Crowd is part of a series by Flora Ahn.  It is about a pug named Sunny who gets a new sister named Rosy.  Rosy is extremely hyper and is constantly getting into Sunny's toys.  Sunny tolerates Rosy until she loses Sunny's favorite toy Mr. Bunny.  Sunny is furious until Rosy takes off to find Mr. Bunny.  Sunny soon realizes that she must try to find Rosy and keep her safe.

This book is so adorable.  The illustrations are a wonderful and cute addition that makes the story so much better.  My favorite part of the whole book was Sunny learning how to love and accept Rosy.  Sunny was an older dog who was really comfortable in her life with her humans, but her world was flipped upside down when a new energetic puppy came to live with them.  Sunny didn't like Rosy until Rosy disappeared to find Mr. Bunny.  Sunny then decided to take off after Rosy to find her and make sure she was okay.  I know this would definitely translate into a relationship with a sibling.  I know a lot of older siblings get agitated with the antics of younger siblings.  I think that kids with siblings would really connect with this book and with the characters.

This book was a great read and I can't wait for my students to get their hands on this.  I give this 4 stars and recommend it to kids in grades 2nd to 4th grade.