Dog Days

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Brady, like Judith Viorst’s Alexander, is having a very bad day and
wants to move to Jupiter. He and his mother have actually moved
cross-country to be closer to his cantankerous grandfather, who has
developed a phobia about leaving his house. Brady has his own phobia
about dogs, and is very nervous around Gramp’s crotchety old dog Grit,
so he surprises himself when he inadvertently commits to entering Grit
in a dog show. In the process of trying to entice Grit to train with
him, he discovers an affinity for his strange grandfather. Together they
overcome their respective phobias, and the book ends with Gramp driving
to a farm where Brady picks out his own puppy, whom he names Jupiter.

Citra paints a sympathetic portrait of a young boy who legitimately
feels sorry for himself when his comfortable world is exchanged for one
in which he is friendless and must cater to a querulous relative. She
allows gradual improvements in his fortunes, however; he finds a friend
(even though it’s a girl), develops an uneasy truce with Grit, and
finds an ally in Gramp. Throughout, she dispenses liberal doses of
humour and situational comedy. This is a fast-paced story for young
reluctant readers, or those making the transition from picture books to
chapter books. Recommended.