Bark Park: Scouting for Clues by Brandi Dougherty, illustrated by Paige Pooler. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2021. 9781524864743
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4
Format: Paperback
Genre: Animal fiction
What did you like about the book? In this latest installment of the Bark Park series, Scout shows up at the dog park with her human, ready for a day of fun and adventure with friends. Each chapter details small vignettes of Scout’s visits to the park on different days. In the first chapter, Scout and her friends must solve the mystery of the disappearing blueberry snack that was waiting for her on the bench. That is, until it goes missing! In Chapter 2, Scout and her friends must rescue a wayward puppy who accidentally explores outside the park and gets lost. Chapter 3 brings the charming story of Walter, a pup with a coat laden with stickers put on by his “toddler”. The storylines are simple, yet engaging, and wrap up nicely. The illustrations provide ample support for a newly independent reader. A larger font makes navigation easier for readers who are developing stamina for chapter books. The end pages provide nonfiction pairings that give further information relating to the plots of the stories.
Anything you did not like about the book. No
To whom would you recommend this book? Readers in second or third grade who are looking for chapter series that are easy to read, yet with slightly more advanced plots will enjoy this series.
Who should buy this book? Elementary schools, home and public libraries
Where would you shelve it? Fiction
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? No
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Linda Broderick, Lincoln Street Elementary School, Northboro, MA
Date of review: August 25, 2021
Youth Services Book Review 
You must be logged in to post a comment.