The No-Dogs-Allowed Rule
Eight-year-old Ishan is desperate for a dog. His older brother and Dad agree, but Mom (“the alpha dog of our pack”) opposes the idea, prompting a creative campaign to change her mind. In a series of hilarious misadventures, Ishan sets off the smoke detector preparing Mom’s favorite breakfast, can’t prevent the neighbor’s golden retriever from jumping on Mom, and displays canine behaviors to show how cute they are. During his resultant time-out, Ishan investigates the retriever’s barking and discovers his neighbor needs medical help—and the dog, a temporary home. The author of Boys without Names (2010) here addresses a younger audience with characters who are both funny and believable. Much like his female counterparts Junie B. Jones and Ramona, Ishan’s naivety and creativity will endear him to readers, as will his sibling difficulties. Ishan’s South Asian heritage plays a prominent role, but it doesn’t drive the plot. Illustrated with pencil drawings, this will be popular with beginning chapter-book readers. Grades 1-3. --Kay Weisman