Available:*
Library | Call Number | Status |
|---|---|---|
Searching... Hardwood Creek Library (Forest Lake) | J FICTION KRU | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Oakdale Library | J FICTION KRU | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... Park Grove Library (Cottage Grove) | J FICTION KRU | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | J FICTION KRU | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | J FICTION KRU | Searching... Unknown |
Searching... R.H. Stafford Library (Woodbury) | J FICTION KRU | Searching... Unknown |
Bound With These Titles
On Order
Summary
Summary
Sent to the backyard for breaking a tick-tock-ticking toy, Sparky (an adorable but clumsy sheepdog puppy) immediately begins his favorite activity- diggety-dig-digging. Little does he know, he's about to dig up the most amazing toy ever--a magic bone! With one bite into that sparkling bone, Sparky is magically transported to London, where he makes new friends, sees the sights, and gets into a bit of trouble. Join Sparky on his adventure to see how he escapes and makes it back home!
Author Notes
Author Nancy Krulik graduated from Temple University. Before becoming a free-lance author, she was the editor of Scholastic's Hot Dog and Thrills and Chills magazines. She has written over 200 books for children and young adults including biographies of Hollywood's hottest young stars and teen and preteen advice books. She is best known for writing the Katie Kazoo, Switcheroo series and the How I Survived Middle School series.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
Publisher's Weekly Review
This high-energy first tale in the Magic Bone series features Sparky, a rambunctious and perennially hungry sheepdog who narrates with comical dog-speak and rowdy sound effects. Banished to the backyard by his "two-leg," Josh, after a couple of accidents indoors ("Wiggle, waggle, yikes! There goes the tall, skinny glass water bowl Josh keeps on the table"), Sparky unearths a magical bone that transports him to London. A dogcatcher captures Sparky and throws him in the pound, but he and a friendly older dog escape and enjoy the sights-and street food-of the city before Sparky returns home. In addition to channeling the id of her canine hero, Krulik (the George Brown, Class Clown series) adds a light travelogue element to the story, as Sparky shares a humorous, puppy's-eye view of London attractions; capsule historical notes close out the book. Braun (Toot and Pop!) contributes cartoon illustrations (not all seen by PW) on nearly every page, which easily match Sparky's enthusiasm and excitement. Sparky's bone takes him to Hawaii in Catch That Wave, due simultaneously. Ages 7-9. Illustrator's agent: the Bright Agency. (May) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Magical travel, doggy style. When Sparky, a yappy mutt, unearths a magic bone, he is transported to Buckingham Palace. There, he quickly befriends a bossy corgi who helps him navigate the new terrain. Though the story is told in Sparky's ingenuous first-canine voice, it's clear that Sparky is a less-than-obedient dog. Young readers will revel in his naughtiness, especially when he upbraids his appendages for causing all his troubles. Eventually, he is captured and sent to the pound and escapes again, this time with new dog pal Watson, a forlorn little mongrel. Together, they find the bone again and test out the magic. The dog's point of view wears thin in spots, especially when Sparky sinks into potty talk: "tooting" when eating beans and sniffing a human's behind. Calculated to capture the Captain Underpants crowd, these diversions interfere with the dog voice and detract from the true humor of the story. The constant reference to humans as "two-legs" when Sparky seems to have a good command of other vocabulary seems forced, as well. Black-and-white illustrations grace most spreads and add smiles and energy. Emerging readers, especially dog lovers, will find this light fare easy to read but not particularly meaty. Not much to chew on here. (London facts) (Fantasy. 5-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
The new Magic Bone series features Sparky, a half-grown puppy, as both protagonist and narrator. Through Sparky's dog-centric perceptions of the material world and relationships, the story zips along from expected neighborhood encounters with canine bullies to the fantastical adventures that ensue after a mysterious bone transports Sparky to London and the grounds outside Buckingham Palace. Sparky's naivete is just right for the audience, who will feel not only a little more clever than the puppy but also as anxious as he does that things will turn out well. Also well suited to the audience is the back matter that offers more context to some of the London sights Sparky encounters. A good choice for newly independent readers who have a taste for fantasy.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2010 Booklist
