The motion picture of the companion book, Hotel for Dogs, was released in January, 2009.
News for Dogs: Summary
Andi and her brother Bruce always have a project on the go. Not long ago, they established a luxurious hotel for the local stray dogs. But now that the hotel has closed, the siblings are investing their time in a new canine project—a newspaper written about dogs, for dogs.
When Andi first suggests the idea, Bruce is skeptical. After all, dogs can’t read. And what self-respecting owner would pay for a newspaper intended for their dogs, not to mention one with a silly name like The Bow-Wow News. But Bruce warms up to the idea when Andi agrees to give him all the initial proceeds of the paper so he can pay for Red Rover—his beloved pooch that he adopted from his neighbor.
Bruce is shocked by the success of their newspaper. They sell every copy of their first print run in no time. But the subsequent issues don’t seem to draw as many sales, especially with their bully-of-a-neighbor, Jerry, and his cousin Connor selling magazine subscriptions door-to-door, stealing some of their business. Soon, Bruce and Andi find a lead on a story that will guarantee some sales. One of their neighbors, Mr. Murdock, has been talking his dog for walks without cleaning up after him. Using his sneaky photojournalist skills, Bruce gets the perfect photo, and sure enough their newspaper sales skyrocket.
But trouble brews when Mr. Murdock gets wind of their cover story. He threatens to sue them, but Bruce and Andi’s great aunt—a former private investigator—assures them that he has no grounds to sue. But tables turn when the siblings decide to put their newspaper online and sell articles on the web. Andi makes an amateur mistake that costs them their paper and nearly stops their parents from going on a three-week European getaway.
That’s when tragedy strikes. Most of the neighborhood dogs have been stolen. The thieves left behind ransom notes, advising the owners to stash hundreds of dollars inside specific books at the public library, lest their pets be treated cruelly. When Red Rover is stolen from their backyard, Bruce is determined to get him back. With their friends’ help, he and Andi take matters into their own hands and investigate the case of the missing dogs.
Review
News for Dogs explores a common part in many kids childhoods: finding creative ways to make money. Unlike lemonade stands and other less lucrative ways to explore the business world, Andi and Bruce find a profitable means of engaging their talents and creative energies. But it isn’t long before their untrained business-sense leads them into trouble.
About Lois Duncan
Lois Duncan writes simply and clearly, appealing to kids around eight-years-old and up. She has a strong grasp on children’s thoughts and motivations, making her books sound more authentic and realistic, as though her ideas come from her own real-life observations.
News for Dogs is a light read with a predictable ending. But there is a lot of useful and secretly educational content hidden behind the simple plot. It’s a great book for budding entrepreneurs and kids who enjoy a good mystery.
(News for Dogs by Lois Duncan | Scholastic Inc. | April 1, 2009 | ISBN: 9780545108535)
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