Pug the Sports Star: A Branches Book

Diary of a Pug #11

by Kyla May

The eleventh Branches early chapter book featuring everyone's favorite pug, Bub, and his human, Bella!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Bub has a new BASKETBALL! He's so good, Bella convinces him to become a doggie basketball coach. Bub loves playing, but he isn't sure how he feels about being in the spotlight. Can Bub's friends help him balance being a SPORTS STAR with staying true to himself?

With full-color artwork throughout, this funny and charming diary-format early chapter book is perfect for anyone who believes a furry pal is the best kind of friend.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Animals, Humor, Sports, Dogs

Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Becky B]

When Bub develops a trick shot with a basketball Bella is thrilled. She soon volunteers Bub to teach all the neighborhood dogs how to do trick shots too, and then she decides to have him put on a show. But what happens when Bub gets stage fright?

I like how Bub was willing to share his trick skills with others, and was patient with the other dogs. His stage fright was understandable, and Bella responds kindly. A little theme of balance and not putting too much pressure on others or yourself is a healthy one for kids to read about.

Notes on content:
Language: None
Sexual content: None
Violence: None
Ethnic diversity: Characters have a variety of skin tones (no clear ethnicities stated).
LGBTQ+ content: None specified.
Other: Pressure to perform.

[Jessica]

This installment to the series seemed to have a different feel to me than the previous books. Bella wants Bub to be famous after he starts making basketball shots. She brings all kinds of dogs over for him to train, and he gets really overwhelmed. Eventually she realizes it's not good for him. My daughter did think the big toot page was hilarious.

[The Bookish Panda]

My little guy bought this book at his first ever school book fair. It's a cute little story about Bub the Pug and how he learns to shoot a basketball into the hoop. First time reading a book from this series, I think little guy liked it alot, so we will have to check out the other books.

[Bahar Afzali]

A very convincing book that shows to try more than one plan.

[Heather]

Bedtime read aloud series for my five year old and sometimes three year old

[Amy]

Aurora loved this one. I think she needs her own GoodReads account 🙃

[Kayla Kelly]

Thomas said he wasn’t really a fan of this one. I’m not sure if it was because of basketball or just the storyline in general.

[Katy Lovejoy]

not bad but I don't think I would have liked it at the appropriate age

[Margaux Lemkus]

He did some basketball in it, it's a good book

[Cedar Grove Public Library]

I thought was so good!- Kid Reviewer 7/16/26