Following Baxter

by Barbara Kerley

For fans of The Fourteenth Goldfish comes a heartwarming adventure starring eleven-year-old Jordie, a quirky professor, and a magical dog.

Eleven-year-old Jordie Marie Wallace has been waiting forever for someone to move in next door, so she is thrilled when Professor Reese arrives. Professor Reese has a laboratory in her basement and an extraordinary dog named Baxter—who seems to understand everything Jordie says. Jordie and her younger brother, TJ, begin walking Baxter and helping Professor Reese in the lab. But being lab assistants ends up being more than Jordie and TJ bargained for and leads them to a secret neither of them expected: a teleporter in Professor Reese’s lab! When the professor goes missing, it’s up to Jordie and TJ to use their smarts and Baxter’s magical powers to find her. Will they be able to save Professor Reese before it’s too late?

From Barbara Kerley comes a mysterious and heartwarming story filled with friendship, humor, and the wonders of science.

Genres: Middle Grade, Science Fiction, Dogs, Childrens, Animal Fiction, Juvenile, Animals

256 pages, Hardcover

First published April 3, 2018

About the author

Barbara Kerley was born in Washington, D.C. and has lived in many places, including Nepal and the tropical island of Guam. She has written about almost everything: 19th C iguanodons, Teddy Roosevelt, world peace, Mark Twain's donkey, and the pleasure of following your curiosity.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to HarperCollins and Edelweiss for a digital ARC of this new middle grade novel.

Jordie and TJ have a new neighbor and she came complete with a newly homeless dog and cool science equipment in her basement lab. Soon kids are helping Professor Reece with her experiments and taking care of the dog who they named Baxter. There is much to be enjoyed by dog lovers, vet wannabes and even sci-fi lovers.

[Phyllis Krall · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Professor Reese and her dog Baxter move next door to eleven year old Jordie and her younger brother TJ, everything changes. The professor has a laboratory in her basement where she conducts scientific experiments and Jordie and TJ become her assistants. Baxter and Jordie seem to understand each other and form a unique bond. Professor Reese divulges her secrets to the children which they must rely on when she disappears. Baxter shows everyone that he is not just an ordinary dog, but one with unique powers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this young adult ARC which I received as a gift from Goidreads in exchange for an honest review. It was interesting how the science of transportation was incorporated into the story.

[Kim Reynolds-Jolles · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter gave me this to read for the May mysteries. I was amazed because it had a flip book on the pages just like the last book I read. This time it was a running dog. I really like the story, the owner of the dog Baxter goes missing and Jordie, with help from her younger brother and Baxter the magical dog,are the only ones who can find her. This book has wonderful themes of female empowerment, a great book.

[Tara Espinoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a fun read and full of great discussion and extension opportunities if read aloud to a class!!!

[Natalie Rivera · Rating 2 out of 5]

First of all, I like the science in this book and who doesn't like the idea of teleportation? But wow, there is so much in this story that could have been cut because it didn't do anything for the plot. I felt like I was reading a lot of different stories. The main action didn't happen until about 150 pages in. I think this book will be good for a good reader, upper grade but a struggling reader will find the story difficult to follow.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Jordie gets a new neighbor and the adventures begin. Her neighbor is a scientist who conducts experiments in her basement, and also owns a dog! Jordie's neighbor has found ways to transport objects and uses the dog Baxter to find them. It is all fun, until one day Jordie's neighbor disappears and it is up her, her brother, and Baxter to find their neighbor.

Perfect for those who liked the 13th goldfish. This is an adventure that many readers can connect to.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book that I read as an ARC. At first I thought it was going to be a simple girl loves dogs story but there is also quite a bit of science snuck in as well. The story grew on me as I continued to read it and I was charmed by the full cast of characters. Jordie is a great narrator & I can strongly recommend this book.

[Patricia Bergman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book from Goodreads giveaway.

This is a wonderful book that introduces a "magical" dog named Baxter and a professor who is developing a Transporter in her basement lab. It is designated as a children's book for 8 to 12 year olds, but I just loved it. It is going to be a perfect gift for a little neighbor girl who loves books as much as me.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to my 6 year old daughter at bedtime and she loved every page (I had to go back and reread the pages the next night that she didn't remember because she fell asleep). Not only does this book show the possibilities of travel (not a traditional way) but also what it means to accept who you are (faults and all) and look at others in a way without sharpening their supposed faults.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts out very slowly. Once you read through the beginning, the book becomes much more interesting and exciting. I liked how the author introduced scientific methods and research principles.

I have a feeling this may become a series...

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is one of our Sunshine State Young Readers Award books (grades 3-5) for the 2021-22 school year. The story was easy to read and the characters were likable, but reading this as an adult was a little difficult for me with the child-like story telling. The kids will enjoy it though.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This will make a great third grade read aloud! Loved the science fiction aspect and the narrator was lovable.

[Taija Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was really really good. (Especially for dog lovers). It’s had really good cliffhangers and I loved the suspense

[Kaelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a fun read! :)

[KRISTEN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Too young for me. An intro to science/fiction and juvenile social angst.

[Izzy Obert · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2

[Ginger Schutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun childrens story... Just easy reading .

[Dana (dana_reads_books13)]

Book 11/15 for SSYRA.

This was cute and fun!

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, fun, easy read. I liked the characters, plot, pace, and the character development. Baxter the dog sounded adorable. An enjoyable book that I would possibly recommend.

[Cara ES · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took way to long to read! But great book
Kinda boring

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book with well-written characters. I was a mystery with some science and family values in it. It will go on the shelf in my fourth grade classroom.

[Charlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute sweet story

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Summary:
A professor moves into the house next door to Jordie and her brother T.J. They become her lab assistants and dog walkers for Baxter, a dog who seems to understand Jordie completely.
(Opening Line)-“When the big white moving van rumbled up to the house next door, I dumped my Krispy Rice down the kitchen sink and ran into my brother T.J’s room.”
Memorable Quotes:
(Pg.176)-“I loved Professor Reese, and I loved having her live next door. But even more than that, I needed her.”
(Pg. 234)-“Lydia went to answer the door and came back with a bakery box the size of something delicious.”

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Kelly Hager]

This book is seriously adorable. But it's more than just quirky and charming---it's full of science. And it makes science both fun and accessible, which I wouldn't have believed when I was in the target audience. :)

I love Jordie and the way that she develops self-confidence and empathy throughout the course of the story. She's also determined to get the things she wants and is excellent at coming up with ways to get them. (Most notably Baxter, the world's coolest dog.)

This story is a complete delight and I believe pretty much any middlegrade reader would adore it the way I do. There's something in it for everyone. 

[Algona Public]

Eleven year old Jordie and her younger brother TJ is finally getting new neighbors that moved in next door. Professor Reese and her magical dog Baxter. That's when everything started to change.
A wonderful book. Young readers will love this story and so will the adults.

Chris S.