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Mandy The Alpha Dog: The Chronicles of the K-9 Boys and Girls on Locus Street

Paula Shene PublishAmerica (2009)
ISBN 9781608367108

Reviewed by Sophia (age 6.75) and Madeline (age 8.5) McElroy for Reader Views (10/09)

Sophia: I think this a funny and sad story about a cute little dog named Mandy. It was sad because a trainer man was being mean to her. I like stories about dog and puppies. This book starts off telling about Mandy’s life as a puppy and how she went to the pet store to be sold. The mean man who bought her wanted to train her to be a show dog, but she couldn’t learn what he wanted her to. He took her to the pound. A nice family picked her up from the pound and gave her a new home. But, Mandy started biting the children and the parents were mad. The family had to figure out what to do with Mandy now.

My favorite part of the story is when Shadow asked Mandy if she was shaped like a beach ball because she ate so much when she grew up! Mandy told Shadow that she ate so much, because the mean man would hold her food back and this made her eat a lot now. The drawings are really funny too!

Madeline: This is a funny story about a Beagle named Mandy and her best friend Shadow the Dalmatian. Mandy has bad dreams about her life when she was a puppy. One day Mandy tells Shadow her dreams are so scary because her dreams are her life. It all started when “Mr. Master” bought Mandy from the pet shop. He was so mean to her. He would take her food away and keep her locked in a room. He couldn't teach her to be a show dog so he sent her to the pound. Mandy was happy to get away from the mean man.

Four days later a family finds her and takes her home. One day Mandy bites one of the little boys. The family was very sad and took her to the pound. They felt bad so they went to the pound and gave her another chance. A few months later the boy jumps on Mandy while she was asleep and she bites him again. The family decides that Mandy needs to go.

I really like the drawings in this book! The funniest drawing is of the man wearing a T-shirt that reads, “Mean Dog Training Machine.”
My favorite part of the story is when Mandy is describing the heat of the cage at the pet shop. She says to Shadow, “Yeow! Hot, hot, ouchy, ouchy!”

We think children will really enjoy “Mandy The Alpha Dog” by Paula Shene.