Fenway and Hattie

Fenway and Hattie
Victoria J. Coe
Putnam, 2016 162 pages
Grades 3-6
Animal/Realistic
Fenway and Hattie series #1

City slicker, Boston Terrier Fenway's world is rocked when he is uprooted from his urban neighborhood and transported to a single family home in the suburbs. The good news about this new place is that there is a dog park (backyard) right outside the house and two friendly canines next door. The bad news is the floor in the new eating place is evil and slippery, the dog park is crawling with squirrels, and his girl, Hattie, is distracted and distant. Fenway tries hard to adjust to his new surroundings and have fun with Hattie, but his efforts seem to land with disastrous outcomes. Obedience School meets with mixed results as Hattie and her family become increasingly frustrated with Fenway’s behavior. The girl next door and a new hobby make Fenway feel more threatened than ever. Is there anything he can do to get his best buddy back?

Coe pens a dog's perspective of the world in this heartfelt and hilarious novel for newly independent readers ready to step up from chapter books. Fenway is a Boston Terrier with the energy and enthusiasm reflecting his recent departure from puppy days. Young readers, who all seem to have a passion for animals, will fall in love with Fenway and agonize right along with him as he keeps finding trouble along his quest to save his girl. Kids will beg for dogs of their own just like Fenway and cheer when he finally starts to make sense of his new environment. Confidence will build as the reader figures out before Fenway what certain things are, deciphering the dog's interpretation of human events and objects. The chapters are the perfect length for developing readers and the vocabulary is also right on target. The lack of interior illustrations will help to push readers to the next level, while the interesting and colorful story will keep them reading without the visual prodding. The cover is enough to encourage kids to crack into the book and once they see it, they will find Fenway hard to resist. Further sequels keep the fun rolling along and give readers somewhere to go upon completion. A great choice for both animal lovers and those simply looking for a great story with an unusual and lovable narrator.