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Amy Prochenko has spent most of fifth grade avoiding both the bully Katilyn Walker, whose bark is as bad as her bite, and Sean Gorman, the only kid less popular than Amy. As if life isn't hard enough, along comes Sherlock.

After escaping from a research laboratory, all Sherlock wants is to be an ordinary dog. But Sherlock is anything but normal: he can talk. And when he asks Amy for help, she says yes. But Amy may have bitten off more than she can chew! Soon she finds herself tangled up in dangerous schemes and hanging out with people she never would have before. For the first time, thanks to Sherlock, Amy's popular!

Even better, Sherlock is the best friend she's wanted. But Amy's not sure she can save him. Will this dog ever have his day?
Customer Review: 'Smart Dog' is a smart book choice for all animal lovers, that will leave its mark in your mind, and heart
Fifth-grader Amy Prochenko has never been the popular girl in school. In fact, the only thing she's really been, is made fun of, by fellow classmate, and resident popular girl Kaitlyn Walker, along with her group of cronies. But when Sherlock (also known as F-32) comes along, Amy's entire world flips upside down. With Sherlock (an escaped research laboratory dog looking to distance himself from a group of students who plan on dissecting his brain) by her side, Amy feels that the sky's the limit, and that she holds the power to do anything. For, you see, Sherlock is a talking dog. A smart dog. One who knows more than the average fifth grader - aside from some spelling problems. And without Amy's help, he won't be living for much longer. So Amy does what she promises: she takes Sherlock under her wing; and, with the help of two new friends, keeps his existence under wraps, while they determine what would be the best option for the runaway pooch. But when workers from the laboratory begin hanging around Amy and her pals, trying to get as close to the dog they named F-32 as possible, Amy realizes that she may have bitten off more than she can chew, and that the only way to salvage this problem will be to tell the truth. But now that Amy and her friends have gotten mixed up in so many lies, it's hard to go back now. Besides, Amy has found something special in Sherlock. Something she never thought she'd find. A best friend. And a sudden bout of popularity that really knocks her off her feet. As an animal rights activist, I love the fact that there are others out there who feel the need to bring animal rights issues into children's books, in an attempt to spread the word about dissection, cruelty at circuses, and more. Peg Kehret's SAVING LILLY wowed me a couple of years ago, but the subject matter of Vivian Vande Velde's SMART DOG has wowed me once again. While there is information regarding dissection, and research laboratory's, Velde has kept it at a minimal, and not allowed it to overshadow the overall story revolving around Amy and Sherlock. Sherlock is the best friend you've always wanted - smart, fun, friendly - and putting a face and a character to an animal up for dissection really makes the reader realize the seriousness of the subject. Amy, on the other hand, is a brave, intelligent, kind character; whose friendly nature, and overall loving attitude bring SMART DOG an extra ounce of compassion, and truly make the characters stand out. SMART DOG is a smart book choice for all animal lovers, that will leave its mark in your mind, and heart. Erika Sorocco Freelance Reviewer
Customer Review: Smart Dog
This book is great! I really enjoyed reading it. I liked the part when Sherlock said he was on the computer. That really amazed me in the book because dogs don't know how to use a computer. I also liked this book because the science teacher and the kids were going to dissect his brain! I also liked the part when Sherlock was jumping up in the window at the school and got all the kids to start laughing.


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