Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Lawrence
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Rafe starts dog-walking biz in funny, fast-paced tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In MIDDLE SCHOOL: DOG'S BEST FRIEND, things are calmer In school, but at home, money's tight. Rafe desperately wants a Wormhole Premium Multi-platform Gamebox for Christmas, so he starts his own dog-walking enterprise. Things get a little sticky when twins move into the neighborhood and try to take his customers. When those twins transfer to his school, fireworks ensue. Rafe uses his new maturity and self-reflection to try to solve his business and personal problems, with a little help from his annoying sister.
Is It Any Good?
This is as fun and fast-moving as the rest of the Middle School series, but the gross-out factor in this one is turned way down. Rafe has matured, but he still has the sweetness and relatability readers love. Full of illustrations and some comic strips, this is a good choice for both boys and girls. Embedded in the story are Rafe's drawings, wherein he shows his thoughts in comic form and reveals his insecurities about growing up.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role of comics in Middle School: Dog's Best Friend. How does drawing his comic strip help Rafe work out issues troubling him? Do you have an artistic outlet that helps you relax and reflect on your life?
If you got back at some kids for something you later found out they didn't do, would you come clean and tell the truth or stay quiet and not make waves?
Rafe really wants to buy a Gamebox and figures out a way to earn the money for it. How do you earn money in your family?
Book Details
- Authors :
- Illustrator : Jomike Tejido
- Genre : Humor
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publishers : JIMMY Patterson Books , Little, Brown and Company
- Publication date : November 6, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 256
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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