| The Buddy Files - The Case of the Lost Boy (series #1) |
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What You Need to Know:
• This new early chapter book with a spunky dog for a narrator is appealing and humorous.
• The vocabulary is simple and the plot is direct, terrific qualities in a book for newly independent readers.
• We would usually recommend using these early chapter books as read alouds for younger children, but probably not
this one as it is a little scary with a child gone missing.
• There is talk of divorce and stranger danger, but all ends well. |
Sweet Series Background:
Buddy (or King) is a spunky golden retriever who moonlights as a detective. The story is narrated by Buddy, who talks to everyone in the story, but only the other animals can understand him. The humans talk at him, but apparently can't translate his bark as deftly as the other dogs and cats in the neighborhood. In this first volume of the series, we find Buddy in the P-O-U-N-D. His "people" have disappeared and through a long chain of events, Buddy has landed in the P-O-U-N-D. But not long after arriving, Connor and his mom come along and adopt him. Mom and Connor have moved to Minnesota after Mom divorced Connor's dad, and Mom feels Connor needs some cheering up. They all immediately take to Buddy and decide he is just what the doctor ordered, but all Buddy can wonder is where are my people?!? Click here for a complete listing of all the Buddy Files books.
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Sweet Book Summary:
How did Buddy wind up in the pound? Where are his people? Why does he have to go home with these new people? Buddy, our dog protagonist, is worried. He is not sure he should go home with Mom and Connor, but they smell like the old neighborhood and bacon(!), his favorite food (among many). Maybe if he goes home with them he will find some clues as to what happened to his people. But before Buddy can open his detective notebook, Connor goes missing during their first walk. Buddy puts out an all-dog alert, but the humans just can't understand what he is trying to tell them. The police get involved, but ultimately it's Buddy who figures out a way to tell Mom that he thinks Connor went to the airport to go home to California and see his Dad. Mom and Buddy race to the airport and find Connor safe and sound. All is well in Buddy's new home, but where the heck are his original people??? The dangling ending is a good hook to keep young readers wanting more and to read on in the series. |
Author: Dori Hillestad Butler Illustrator: Jeremy Tugeau Published: 2010, 128 pages
Themes: Mystery, Animals - Dogs, Humor, Detective Stories |
Sweet Discussion Questions:
• What would you do if you were sad?
• Do you think animals really talk to one another?
• What should you do if a stranger approaches you?
• Do you think it was a good idea for Connor to run away from his home and his mom?
• What would you say to a friend if they told you they were thinking of running away?
• What should you do if you or a friend is sad about their parent's divorce? |
If You Liked This Book, Try:
The Buddy Files: The Case of the Mixed-Up Mutts (Book 2), Dori Hillestad Butler
The Buddy Files: The Case of the Missing Family (Book 3), Dori Hillestad Butler
The Buddy Files: The Case of the Fire Alarm (Book 4), Dori Hillestad Butler |
| This recommendation was written by: Melissa Y. |
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