My Dog is Better Than Your Dog

by Tommy Greenwald

Greenwald, T. (2015). My dog is better than your dog. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

11-year-old Jimmy has two loves, an old crime fighting TV show and a series of novels about vampires.  With a mom who works long hours and a dad who is now obsessed with landing a job, Jimmy is beginning to feel neglected.  And now with the start of fifth grade just days away, he has a large red blotch on his face the size of Rhode Island and it just seems to be getting bigger.  When Jimmy's parents finally agree to let him get the dog that he has always wanted, he thinks his life is finally taking a turn for the better.  He selects an old mutt from the local shelter which he names Abby, and right away begins to notice some odd behaviors.  She sleeps all day long, becomes very playful and active at night, and has some incredibly BIG fangs.  Not only that, but she also seems to have a strong dislike of Jimmy's awful new babysitter, Mrs. Cragg.  When Jimmy's mom walks in just as Abby is about to attack the babysitter, it looks as if Jimmy may have to give up his new friend.  He just can't bear to lose Abby, not only because he's finally got the dog he's always wanted, but because he's pretty sure that Abby is a crime fighting vampire dog.  When Jimmy shares his suspicions with his best friend and the neighbor girl who lives across the street, they are pretty skeptical at first.  But then, after a series of neighborhood robberies, Jimmy, his friends and Abby have their own encounter with a thief and many secrets are finally exposed.  This first book in a brand new series titled Crime Biters, is both hilarious and full of mystery.  Both boys and girls in grades 3-5 would enjoy this story.

Crime Biters: My Dog is Better Than Your Dog Book Trailer