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bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't super into this book in the beginning, but it really grew on me. Bowser is a winning narrator. More complete review to come.
Full review:
This is a book that really snuck up on me. The book is told in Bowser's voice, and it took me a while to get into that because he sounds so goofy and distracted from the main action of the book. After a while, though, his personality really grew on me, and I think the author did a great job of capturing what humans speculate are the types of thoughts dogs have. Yes, Bowser is often distracted, but one thing is certain: he isn't about to let anything bad happen to his Birdie.
As far as kid sleuth novels go, I did enjoy this one. The mystery feels realistic and scaled to an appropriate level for middle grade readers. What starts out as a simple case of a missing trophy fish morphs into a tale with ties to World War II and missing artifacts. The treasure legend lends some extra excitement to the book. What kid doesn't dream of digging up buried treasure, after all? I also liked that the book delved into a bit of World War II history, and I hope this is something the author will explore again in future installments. I think it would be interesting for Birdie to learn more about what her great-grandfather experienced during the war.
The sense of setting in this novel is superb. Without getting too technical or boring, Quinn does a good job of creating the feel of the bayou and of giving the reader some interesting information about the ecosystem of the swamps. I lost myself in these descriptions, feeling like I was there right along with Birdie and Bowser.
This book abounds with well-done characters, though I didn't really feel as though I developed a really good sense about Birdie. She feels somewhat removed, a little mysterious, and I can't tell if this is because she's closed or if I just didn't get enough information about her. Grammy is very well done, though, as is Maybelline, who I hope to see more of in future installments. Even Birdie's mother, who makes only brief appearances during the course of the novel, felt very real to me. The best developed, of course, is Bowser, who drops lots of tantalizing hints about his past. Many of his lines made me smile.
It's always nice to read a middle grade novel where the adults are fully fleshed and feel integral to the young protagonist's world. Birdie is independent and does a lot on her own with the faithful Bowser by her side, but she also relies on adults when she needs to. That's not to say that the adults are always helpful to her or that they give her as much credit as they ought to give her, but the amount of liberty Birdie displays feels realistic, unlike some middle grade novels where kids have far too much freedom to make the narrative very believable.
This book doesn't shy away from difficult issues either, though it deals with them in an age-appropriate way. I think there's a lot of value in introducing kids to some of life's thornier topics by way of books. It helps kids imagine what it would be like to be in that position, but while they're in a position of safety and security. From Grammy's medical problems to the Sheriff's sometimes patronizing Birdie to the World War II era heist, the book does a good job of showing how people sometimes make bad decisions, and how blindness can create additional complications in life.
If the child in your life is a dog lover--as my daughter is--this book ought to be a winner. It's a promising start to a new series, one whose continuation I'm looking forward to.
Full review:
This is a book that really snuck up on me. The book is told in Bowser's voice, and it took me a while to get into that because he sounds so goofy and distracted from the main action of the book. After a while, though, his personality really grew on me, and I think the author did a great job of capturing what humans speculate are the types of thoughts dogs have. Yes, Bowser is often distracted, but one thing is certain: he isn't about to let anything bad happen to his Birdie.
As far as kid sleuth novels go, I did enjoy this one. The mystery feels realistic and scaled to an appropriate level for middle grade readers. What starts out as a simple case of a missing trophy fish morphs into a tale with ties to World War II and missing artifacts. The treasure legend lends some extra excitement to the book. What kid doesn't dream of digging up buried treasure, after all? I also liked that the book delved into a bit of World War II history, and I hope this is something the author will explore again in future installments. I think it would be interesting for Birdie to learn more about what her great-grandfather experienced during the war.
The sense of setting in this novel is superb. Without getting too technical or boring, Quinn does a good job of creating the feel of the bayou and of giving the reader some interesting information about the ecosystem of the swamps. I lost myself in these descriptions, feeling like I was there right along with Birdie and Bowser.
This book abounds with well-done characters, though I didn't really feel as though I developed a really good sense about Birdie. She feels somewhat removed, a little mysterious, and I can't tell if this is because she's closed or if I just didn't get enough information about her. Grammy is very well done, though, as is Maybelline, who I hope to see more of in future installments. Even Birdie's mother, who makes only brief appearances during the course of the novel, felt very real to me. The best developed, of course, is Bowser, who drops lots of tantalizing hints about his past. Many of his lines made me smile.
It's always nice to read a middle grade novel where the adults are fully fleshed and feel integral to the young protagonist's world. Birdie is independent and does a lot on her own with the faithful Bowser by her side, but she also relies on adults when she needs to. That's not to say that the adults are always helpful to her or that they give her as much credit as they ought to give her, but the amount of liberty Birdie displays feels realistic, unlike some middle grade novels where kids have far too much freedom to make the narrative very believable.
This book doesn't shy away from difficult issues either, though it deals with them in an age-appropriate way. I think there's a lot of value in introducing kids to some of life's thornier topics by way of books. It helps kids imagine what it would be like to be in that position, but while they're in a position of safety and security. From Grammy's medical problems to the Sheriff's sometimes patronizing Birdie to the World War II era heist, the book does a good job of showing how people sometimes make bad decisions, and how blindness can create additional complications in life.
If the child in your life is a dog lover--as my daughter is--this book ought to be a winner. It's a promising start to a new series, one whose continuation I'm looking forward to.
karinlib's review against another edition
3.0
I found Spencer Quinn's books earlier this year, and I have fell in love with his canine narrating characters. Woof is book one of the Bowser and Birdie series (middle grade). This series is very similar to the Chet and Bernie series, so I enjoyed it.
the_enobee's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Highly recommended to dog lovers. This OBOB selection makes a great summer mystery read.
Highly recommended to dog lovers. This OBOB selection makes a great summer mystery read.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
This is my second book that I have read by this author. The first book I thought was ok but nothing that got me interested enough to read more books but this author. However when I saw this one I thought I would check this author out again and I thought my nephews would like this book. Which by the way I did like this book. I did find myself smiling while reading this book. This is due to Bowser and his comments. Yes, dogs can talk and the things they say are hilarious. At times Bowser acted like he was on speed with his fast talking and thoughts running a mile a minute. Birdie on the other hand is a sweet heart. She and Bowser make a great pair. I just wished that I was more interested in the actual mystery surrounding the missing Marlin. Yet a cute book for younger readers. My nephews will enjoy reading this book.
antisocial_auntie's review against another edition
4.0
Well written and fun from the dog's perspective - a dog's delightfully simple mind and didn't make the animal too smart to be believable.
kawarwick's review against another edition
4.0
Birdie and Bowser save the day! A fun quirky mystery. Loved how the dog, Bowser, was the narrator.
mrweasel's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
greenvillemelissa's review against another edition
4.0
Book #42 Read in 2015
Woof by Spencer Quinn (YA)
I love this author's Chet and Bernie books. This is a Birdie and Bowser book. Birdie is an 11 year old girl who gets a shelter dog, Bowser, for her birthday gift from her cranky-on-the-outside grandmother. A prize fish is stolen from Birdie's family's bait shop and she decides to investigate and try to find it, like her cop father (who is dead) would have done. This puts Birdie is some risky situations but Bowser is there to keep an eye on her. Bowser tells the story and it is fun reading the insights of a dog's mind. This was a good, quick read. Middle school readers especially would like it, I believe. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Woof by Spencer Quinn (YA)
I love this author's Chet and Bernie books. This is a Birdie and Bowser book. Birdie is an 11 year old girl who gets a shelter dog, Bowser, for her birthday gift from her cranky-on-the-outside grandmother. A prize fish is stolen from Birdie's family's bait shop and she decides to investigate and try to find it, like her cop father (who is dead) would have done. This puts Birdie is some risky situations but Bowser is there to keep an eye on her. Bowser tells the story and it is fun reading the insights of a dog's mind. This was a good, quick read. Middle school readers especially would like it, I believe. I received a copy of this book from the Amazon Vine program in exchange for a honest review.
http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
boboddduck's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: War and Animal cruelty