Don't Swap Your Sweater for a Dog

Roscoe Riley Rules #3

by Katherine Applegate, Brian Biggs (Illustrator)

The third book in a hilarious chapter book series about an accidental rule breaker from Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal–winning and bestselling author of The One and Only Ivan , Endling, and Wishtree . It seems like everyone has an award of some kind. Except Roscoe. But a pet-trick contest is coming up, and first prize is a big, shiny trophy. Roscoe really wants that trophy—would he even borrow someone else’s dog to win? Roscoe and his comical misadventures will appeal to fans of Megan McDonald’s Stink series; Nancy Krulik’s George Brown, Class Clown series; Rebecca Elliott’s Owl Diaries series; and Dan Gutman’s My Weirder School series.

Genres: Childrens, Dogs, Humor, Juvenile, 2nd Grade, Realistic Fiction, Family

96 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.

Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).

She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).

Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).

With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)

Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.

Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Neo and I enjoyed this great story, which kept us reading and entertained throughout the experience. Roscoe ends up in a time-out for something related to a sweater and trading a dog, which lures the young reader in to see what’s going on. Roscoe has a reliable dog, though Goofy is by no means highly Intelligent. When he discovers a new neighbour with a dog that can read, Roscoe is curious. What really has his attention is that this neighbour, Martin, has taken a liking to his new (and itchy) sweater that Roscoe’s grandmother knitted for him. Martin shows that his dog, Edward, can read. With a dog competition this coming weekend, Roscoe has an idea and proposes a swap that sees him the chance to really tip the scales in his favour. With Roscoe eyeing the chance to win a trophy, he gets Martin to do him a favour, sure to win everyone what they want. Or will it? Neo and I loved this piece and this series is highly addictive. Thankfully, we have more to come!

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved this one! Roscoe really wants a trophy of his own -- who doesn't? He is also determined to get that trophy as quickly as possible. That sets up the dilemma in the book. His new neighbor Martin has a very smart and well-behaved dog named Edward. Edward can read -- or so it seems. Roscoe's dog Goofy is just that. So when Roscoe's new sweater gets quite a few compliments from Martin, an idea is born. What Roscoe realizes in the end is that his very own dog and the sweater is Grandma spent so much time on are so much more valuable than a quickly-earned trophy. Thanks for helping us all learn some valuable life lessons, Roscoe!

[Terry]

This is a great series. Kids can relate to the characters, and parents can see themselves in their "younger days." Riley wears his emotions on his sleeve, so you feel for him when he realizes that he might have made a mistake trading away Grandma's sweater (even though he didn't like it). I also like that there are still consequences for his choices. The story has plenty of laughs and is a story all ages can enjoy. This is an excellent choice for reluctant and transitional readers, as the sentences are short, the chapters just a few pages, and there is lots of action.


To read our full review, go to the Reading Tub.

[Toni Pope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I preread some of my kids scholastic reading counts books, to try to help them better understand it. This series is definitely one of the very best, these books are great.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roscoe decides to swap his hand-knit sweater, a gift from his Grandma, to his schoolmate Martin, for Martin's dog, Edward. Edward can do remarkable tricks and Roscoe really wants to win the dog contest, because unlike everyone around him, Roscoe has never won a trophy. Is Roscoe's own dog, Goofy, a little downcast at being left out? This humorous story will encourage young readers to appreciate what they have (the sweater, Goofy) and not always be reaching for more. Each volume in the series includes some of Roscoe's Rules to Live By and a section of "Spot the Difference" illustrations.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying reading this series with my daughter. Roscoe trades his sweater to Martin, and in exchange Roscoe gets to take Martin's very well-trained poodle, Edward, to a dog store while Martin is at his tuba lesson. But how will Roscoe's big white dog, Goofy, feel about that? I love this series because it is humorous but also teaches good lessons.

[James Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it because Roscoe swapped his sweater for another dog! And told the truth to the judges of the game that Edward wasnt his dog. The funniest part was that he thought he was going to win the prize... but he didnt! and then he had to pay the real owner, Edward.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful beginning reader series perfect for the grades 2-3 crowd.

[JMV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series for 1st grader...

[Acelynn Ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOOO funny!!!

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roscoe Riley got himself into timeout again. For some reason he switched a sweater that was made by his grandma for a trained dog to win a trophie in a dog trick contest. Let me tell you the whole story first. Roscoe got home from school and his white dog Goofy comes out and licks Roscoe. Roscoe's mom says that he has a sweater that his grandma knits for him and Roscoe Doesn't like the sweater. Roscoe's mom tells him that the sweater was made with love and it was special. Roscoe didn't like it. Roscoe was going outside and his mom told him that if he was going outside that to wear his new sweater Roscoe moaned. He went outside and took Goofy with him he was going to wait for his two best friends Emma and Gus they were going to hangout. When they got their they went to pet Goofy then a kid came a long with his poodle came along. The kid introduced himself and his poodle and his dog then he showed a trick to them. Then he made a complimate on his sweater. Roscoe got jealous about the kids poodle and he decided to trade his sweater for the poodle sop he can win a trophie. On the day of the contest Goofy Roscoe's real dog feel's really bad for Goofy. when the judges announce the winners Roscoe wins for showing the judges that the poodle can read. Then he actually told the truth and instead another kid won the trophie and Roscoe won a white ribbon. So that's the story. See yah later.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book we've listened to in the Roscoe Riley Rules series on audio CD. The story is narrated on CD by Jared Goldsmith.

We recognized Brian Biggs's cover art from his Brownie and Pearl series with Cynthia Rylant.

The main character is entertaining and the stories are fun to listen to. I'm not sure how many more stories in this series we'll read, but our girls enjoyed listening to the tale during a lengthy car ride.

This story focuses on telling the truth and being faithful to our loyal pets, even if they don't win trophies. It shows how a victory attained through cheating lessens the thrill of the win and that we should not turn our backs on those who love us the most. Overall, it's an entertaining tale with a good message.

[zapkode · Rating 5 out of 5]

{My Thoughts} – Once again Roscoe Riley is in timeout. This time it’s because he lied to his parents. He wanted to enter a dog trick contest to win a trophy and since his dog goofy didn’t know any tricks, he borrowed someone else’s dog.

He had told his parent that the owner of the dog really wanted his do in the contest. However, that wasn’t true. Eventually he came clean with his parents, but he still ended up in timeout.

I highly recommend this book for any child that is having a difficult time engaging in the book world. It has a nice lesson about following the rules and it has humor, which makes for a nice read.

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roscoe has trophy envy. More than anything, he wants to win a trophy. When he learns about the local pet show, he thinks he might have a chance of winning, but not with his dopey dog, Goofy. The new kid’s dog, Edward, knows a cool trick, and with Edward at the pet show, Roscoe can’t lose! But what about his old, jilted dog, Goofy?

Another cute Roscoe Riley book that will renew your unconditional love for your pet!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son loves this series and can't wait to start the next book! It is really getting him into reading and loves the idea of a short chapters book. The fun part is that we both laugh through the book. I also enjoy that even though Roscoe means well, when he makes poor or bad choices there are consequences and that also gives us something to talk about.

[Joenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roscoe's dog can't do tricks and Roscoe really wants to win a trophy. He has a friend who's dog can read! So Roscoe trades his sweater his grandma made for him (he's glad to rid of that ugly sweater!) for his friend's dog for a dog show.

[Kym · Rating 4 out of 5]

We can't wait for these books to come out. My 6 year old laughs the entire time we read it. Very enjoyable.

[Gresham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great good for 1st-3rd graders. I loved Roscoe, and the writing was clever for an early chapter book.

[Susan]

Reading this aloud to my 4 & 6 year-old daughters. They're both enjoying it and keep asking for "one more chapter!"

[Malissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute early series book! Roscoe is hilarious! I think kids will enjoy getting to know him and all his shenanigans!

[Christinelbtucker · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are great for beginning readers who are working on fluency and comprehension.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beginning chapter book. Roscoe wants a trophy so bad that he'll trade his sentimental sweater to a neighbor so that he can borrow his dog to try and win a contest.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice children book.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great first chapter book!

[yahya]

its kinda boring but its ok

[WriteTheVision · Rating 2 out of 5]

My students are enjoying this series far more than I am, lol. But as long as they're happy and continuing to read and take pleasure in exploring books then I'm okay with whatever I have to sit through during our read aloud time together.