*This review was originally written for YA Books Central and is being republished here with permission. To see the original post, click here.
I received this book via the publisher Razorbill. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
The Underdogs Catch a Cat Burglar by Kate Temple, Jol TempleIllustrator: Shiloh Gordon
Series: The Underdogs #1
Published by Razorbill on 2022-09-06
Length: 158 pages
Reviewing Paperback from the publisher Razorbill
Rating:
“The Underdogs will have young readers HOWLING with laughter, SNIFFING for clues, and BARKING with delight.” —Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood, creators of the Real Pigeons series
Perfect for fans of comical animal do-gooders like The Bad Guys, The InvestiGators, and The Chicken Squad, this hilarious chapter book series follows a group of bumbling dog detectives and their newest recruit—a cat! In this first case, the Underdogs are hot on the tail of a cat burglar.
Crime is on the rise in Dogtown, and it’s all thanks to a mysterious cat burglar! They’ve stolen everything from handbags to ham sandwiches, and nobody has been able to catch them. Now The Underdog Detective Agency is on the case . . . but as their name might suggest, they aren’t exactly the best sleuths in town.
Barkley and the other dogs at the agency have been in a bit of a slump, but this latest case could turn it all around. So to catch this menacing cat burglar, they may have to do the unthinkable and hire their first-ever cat detective. Enter Fang, a street-smart, one-eyed feline and the newest member of the team.
Being a cat in a dog’s world isn’t easy, but Fang is determined to prove she’s got what it takes. Will Fang and Barkley be able to work together to solve the case and help make Underdogs the top dogs once again? You’ll have to read to find out in this paws-itively hilarious mystery!
The Underdogs Catch a Cat Burglar by Kate Temple, Jol Temple is the first in a new series about the Underdog Detective Agency and their newest recruit Fang. Growing up in Dogtown as a cat wasn’t the easiest on Fang. While she learned all the things her dog friends learned, she wasn’t very good at them. Now that she is all grown up, Fang is looking for a job that she will be good at. Luckily for her the Underdog Detective Agency needs a detective who can go undercover. A mystery is a foot, things are going missing, and the only clue is a wet paw print that looks suspiciously like a cat. Can Fang catch the burglar and guarantee her spot on the detective agency?
What I Loved:
This was such a fun read! Fang is a streetwise cat with one eye, raised amongst dogs and knows her way around town. Barkley and the others of the detective agency are all dogs and a little skeptical of their feline coworker. However, I love that Barkley is willing to give her a chance despite not looking the part.
The writing is perfect for the age group it is marketed for. It is easy to read, engaging, and full of humor. The illustrations are full page and add to the story rather than detract. Smart sleuths will pick up on clues in the illustrations and text. The chapters are short, well delineated, and will encourage newly independent readers to tackle the story on their own. For those not ready to read by themselves just yet, the book would be a fun read aloud. Be prepared for giggles galore!
Final Thoughts: Fans of The Bad Guys will devour The Underdogs Catch a Cat Burglar and beg for more.
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