MAGIC BONE SERIES by Nancy Krulik

   

Sparky the puppy finds himself in trouble all the time - he doesn't mean to knock things over or make his two-leg, Josh, mad by digging up the yard. Then Sparky finds a magic bone - one that takes him first to London and then to Hawaii for some adventures.

These books could not be any cuter! Fun, fun, fun. Another great transitional chapter book series. Sparky has an endearing "voice" that is very puppy-like (innocent, eager) and funny. This is like the Palace Puppies series in that the dog tells the story, but Sparky's voice feels more manic and puppy-like. Just darling! My students will LOVE these books. More, please!!

4 out of 5 stars
AR reading levels of 2.6 and 2.5 respectively

Book three comes out next week and book four will release in March 2014.

PALACE PUPPIES SERIES by Laura Dower

   

Sunny and Rex are royal puppies. Sunny is the slightly older and a smidge more disciplined golden doodle while Rex is the rash, impulsive beagle. In book one, Princess Annie and Prince James are trying to plan a birthday party for the cranky and destructive Jackson, the puppies want to help. In the second story, the puppies go to the beach for the first time and Rex gets lost. Annie and James are frantic. Can Sunny track down her puppy friend?

Cute early chapter books for readers ready to start moving away from picture books (although, I think there's always time for a picture book - for any reader!).

3.5 out of 5 stars
No AR reading level yet.

There are two more books available or coming soon in the series:

   

TIGER TALES: I Want a Pet! by Cathy Morrison

A boy hanging out in his room with his stuffed animals declares, "I want a pet." He heads to the zoo to see if he can find just the right pet, but none of the animals there are just right until he spies the puppy who was with him all along.  Cute story for animal lovers.

3 out of 5 stars