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Reviews (4)
Horn Book Review
Twelve-year-old Kevin Pugh's life changes dramatically when his couch-potato dog watches a dog-agility competition on television and discovers a talent of his own. Kevin's development from anti-sports-kid to competitor and his relationship with his sports-loving family are clearly described in this humorous tale. It's an entertaining read that will appeal to dog lovers and sports fans alike. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
The couch potato son of a beloved Chicago football hero, Kevin Pugh has neither his father's athletic talent nor ambition. His dog Cromwell, however, is an agility powerhouse, who makes up for his lack of style with innate talent and a love of the obstacle course. Kevin's planned summer of loafing and gaming changes when he and Cromwell enter dog agility classes and competitions, which have an unforeseen result on Kevin's own athleticism and self-esteem. This semi-sports story reads like a Cinderella tale in which the protagonist rises above his own apathy, rather than nasty relatives, to achieve hero status. Secondary characters, such as Elka, the eccentric trainer at the dog school, and Kevin's best friend, Zach, who has grand visions of sponsorship deals for Cromwell, are effective foils. Plot surprises are few, but the abundant humor makes this a satisfying underdog story in the tradition of Gordon Korman's and David Lubar's novels.--Dean, Kara Copyright 2010 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 4-7-Kevin Pugh, 12, leads a couch-potato existence. While his father, Howie, recalls the glory of playing for the Chicago Bears and tries to motivate his son to follow in his footsteps, Kevin limits his football exposure to video games. Things change, though, when, flipping through channels, he tunes in to the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge and sees a terrier shatter the agility-course record. Kevin's dog is as sluggish as his owner, but he is mesmerized, so Kevin halfheartedly enrolls his pet in a training program, even though Dad dismisses dog agility as something less than a real sport. Although incredibly clumsy during training, boy and dog pull off a miraculous win in their first competition and qualify for the championship. The days following are anticlimactic: even after the win, Howie is unimpressed with Kevin's and Cromwell's efforts; they are not able to come anywhere close to the time they achieved during the Invitational; and Kevin feels like more of a loser than ever. Just as he is ready to walk out without competing, his father inspires him to leave the more experienced dogs in the dust yet again. In spite of a cliched plot and caricaturelike secondary characters, Behrens's engaging style will appeal to children. Students will relate to likable Kevin's self-deprecating humor, and Cromwell's perseverance gives anyone with an unrealized dream a glimmer of hope.-Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Torpid 12-year-old Kevin Pugh, son of a gung-ho former football pro, and his even more sluggish beagle, Cromwell, are galvanized into activity when they watch a dog-agility competition on television. Suddenly Cromwell becomes a wunderhund, racing and jumping over and through obstacles, and Kevin's right there with him. His best friend even pays for classes for boy and dog when Kevin's parents firmly scotch the idea. Kevin, klutzy and unexcited by sports (except for exceptional prowess with football video games), doesn't know how to counter his dad's clueless expectations that he play ball for real and keeps his newfound interest a secret. In the end, though, Kevin revels in his abilities and earns the respect of Cromwell's gruff trainer; and he and Cromwell win out in more ways than one. The ending is satisfying, if pat and predictable. Dog lovers will appreciate the canine-take-all theme, and all readers will appreciate the gentle humor and root for Kevin. (Fiction. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Excerpts
Excerpts
1 Twelve-year-old Kevin Pugh stood on the pitcher's mound. He squeezed a large red ball. Perspiration had gathered in dark semicircles on his WYCR-TV T-shirt. The June sun seemed to be cooking him, like a bratwurst. Or an Italian sausage. Or a smoked cheddarwurst--he really missed those. For reasons unknown, his mom had switched to chicken sausage, which he violently disliked. He kept telling her that all encased meat is not the same, but she . . . "Pull your shorts up, honey!" Maggie Pugh's voice cut into the quiet of the infield. Kevin glared at his mom, who waved from the glossy green-painted stands. Kevin tugged at his droopy cargo shorts and bounced the ball in the dirt. The print below the manufacturer's logo read "official kickball of WAKA, the world adult kickball association." "Dorks," Kevin muttered to himself. "Uhds gug, Gev!" snapped the second baseman through a giant wad of radioactive-looking neon green bubble gum. "Uhduh-booty!" He glanced over his left shoulder. His sister Izzy (short for Isabella, which no one called her, ever) was clapping her hands and hopping, a black ponytail bobbing behind her. Lean and wiry, Izzy had an unusually steely glare for a ten-year-old. Izzy was a local Chicago Park District soccer legend, but her awe-inducing athleticism went well beyond soccer. Other than parents and a mailing address, Izzy and Kevin didn't have a ton in common. Kevin needed a moment to interpret her gum-impeded speech. "Let's go, Kev! Attababy!" Izzy repeated, still inexplicably clapping. Kevin shook his sweat-soaked shirt lightly to fan himself. A goose in left field honked. "Time!" called a booming voice behind him. "Time out!" Kevin's shoulders tensed. He heard his dad's footsteps approaching from the shortstop's position. Howie Pugh--former Chicago Bear, beloved WYCR football analyst, and local sports demigod--was perhaps the most competitive human to ever walk the earth. No, the most competitive creatureof any kind--mammal, sea slug, potted plant, whatever--to ever walk the earth. Kevin wiped sweat from his face with the back of his hand and turned slowly. Howie wrapped an arm around Kevin, engulfing him. "Get your head straight, Kev," he said gruffly. "It's the sixth inning. Bases loaded. Two out. The go-ahead run at home plate." Kevin scuffed his right toe in the dirt. "Thanks for the breakdown, Dad. I was expecting a hopeful sports cliche. 'When your back is against the wall. . .'--that sort of thing." "Not an appropriate time for the sarcasm, Kevin." Howie spat. "What's the matter with you?" "Um . . . for one thing, it's like a million degrees," Kevin said, staring into his dad's eyes. "And if you haven't noticed, they are now intentionally kicking at me, because I suck at kickball and they know I won't catch the ball. I thought we established that during last summer's WYCR-WFRK Charity Challenge. If you don't remember, I think there's a DVD in the basement that documents--" "Okay, all right," said Howie, pausing awkwardly. "Just try your best, Kev." "I am trying, Dad," said Kevin. "Okay, kid." More aggressive spitting. "Then let's talk strategy." Howie spun his son around to face the next WFRK kicker. "That is Bradley Ainsworth Jr., the eleven-year-old son of six-time local Emmy winner Brad Ainsworth." Kevin stared toward home plate. Brad Ainsworth stood behind the hitting screen. A veteran sportscaster at local TV station WFRK, Brad looked like a carved pumpkin, with his orange-ish fake tan and eye black on his cheeks. He was quietly delivering instructions to the small, angry-looking boy Excerpted from The Fast and the Furriest by Andy Behrens All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
