A Dog-Friendly Town

by Josephine Cameron

Twelve-year-old Epic McDade isn't ready for middle school. He'd rather help out at his family's dog-friendly bed n' breakfast all summer, or return to his alternative elementary school in the fall, where learning feels safe. But change comes in all shapes and fur colors. When Carmelito, California is named America's #1 Dog-Friendly Town, all the top dogs and their owners pour into Epic's sleepy seaside neighborhood for a week of celebration.

The McDades are in dog heaven with all the new business until a famous dog's jewel-encrusted collar goes missing. Every guest is a suspect, and Epic will have to embrace new friends and new ideas to sniff out the culprit before the week is through.

Genres: Mystery, Middle Grade, Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Dogs

363 pages, Hardcover

First published August 4, 2020

Reviews

[Mackenzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book aloud to my 9-year-old daughter. While my daughter enjoyed it enough for us to keep reading until the end, if it had just been me, I would have put this book down about a third of the way through. It is so bloated and probably could have been half the length and twice as enjoyable. My daughter noted that she "enjoyed it but the beginning was boring."

This light mystery about who stole a dog's bejeweled collar was mildly interesting but it's bogged down in excessive descriptions of how organic and eco-friendly everything in Carmelito is. The main character, Epic (don't get me started on the kids' insufferable names), is a bundle of anxiety throughout, and no wonder, seeing as how he apparently is a stand-in parent for his siblings. The opening chapter sets up the crime only to go into the longest setup ever as we meet every suspect in excruciating detail. I found myself wanting to roll my eyes at every over-detailed tangent about the town the the characters.

I've read a lot of great children's books this year and I just can't call this one of them.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still not sure how I feel about the portrayal of surf culture/surf town.
I liked the mystery, the red herrings were a good job in mystery genre.

Pretty long, could have used some edits.
I'm still not sure about the Elvis character.

I don't really like to read about parents who make their kids parent their siblings, although that's what I find believable about this book. At least the parents fess up to bad behavior and will "rethink" their parenting style. (Though it doesn't seem to change)

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carmelito, California has been named America's most dog-friendly town and there's going to be a huge doggy celebration in town all week. That's great news for Epic's family's dog-friendly bed and breakfast. The McDades are booked with one of the hottest doggy celebrities and its entourage, their long-standing customers the Boones, and a doggy psychiatric vet. Epic's little sister Elvis is in awe that her favorite canine sleuth is staying at their house, and his little brother Rondo gets excited when the dog's half a million dollar collar is stolen and he can finally test out his sleuthing skills. Epic is doing his best to keep his siblings out of his parents' and the guests' hair (or fur), trying to help his parents handle all the crazy things required for a celebrity dog's media events, and he's dealing with his worries about starting at middle school next year. There's a lot on his plate, and he isn't sure he's up to some sleuthing on top of that. But what if his family needs him?

This was a wild and crazy week with lots of memorable characters and dogs. The mystery element doesn't kick in until about halfway through the book, and there are some good twists and turns in it. Epic learns a lot through this week about what he is in charge of and what he isn't. His siblings are zany. And I can honestly say I've never read anything quite like this. This would make a great class or family read aloud. (And I can totally picture this as a Pixar or Dreamworks cartoon!) Hand this to dog lovers and mystery lovers.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. One of the kids ends up in a somewhat perilous situation but it ends happily.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three of my kids, ages 8 - 13, enjoyed this complex, character-driven, dog-friendly mystery!

[Pam Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The McDade family runs a dog friendly bed and breakfast in Carmelito (based on Carmel, CA). For unknown reasons, the parents named their children Epic, Elrond, called Rondo, and Elvis (a girl). When the town is named the most dog friendly place in America, celebrity dogs and their owners descend upon the place for a weekend celebration. All is well and the excitement is building until the diamond encrusted collar of Sir Bentley, star of his own detective show, is stolen. Rondo is the true detective of the kids and they, along with Epic's pal Declan and new girl in town Miyon, search for the thief. There are plenty of red herrings along the way and the group is discouraged from becoming involved but of course they succeed in their quest with little help from adults. At close to 400 pages, the story was too long. The almost always over the top behavior of Elvis resulted in her as never believable as eight years old, either behaving at a younger level or with the insights and vocabulary of an older child.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers in grades 4-6 who love dogs and mysteries are sure to enjoy Cameron’s canine-filled book. The beachside Carmelito is being honored for its love of furry friends and all sorts of celebrities and companies catering to dogs have descended on the town in droves. Unfortunately, a thief is among them and a diamond studded collar is missing. Epic, Elvis, and Rondo are joined by their friend Declan in a madcap search for the criminal and must sort through a highly eclectic mix of adults, children and their dogs in order to solve the mystery. Diversity in race, interests, economic status, and sexual orientation abounds in the characters and the plot takes several twists that will keep readers guessing, but the pace rambled and stalled more than a few times. Thanks for the dARC, Edelweiss.

[Emily M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, and I think older elementary/middle school would love it too. It is fast paced and has twists and turns, especially in the last third of the book. I think the characters were quirky and relatable in their own ways and the town was fun. The concept of dog celebrities is so fun and doesn't even sound outlandish in the context of the book. I especially liked how the mystery was unfolded throughout the book, so the reader could make predictions and put together clues along with Epic, Rondo, and Elvis. I would love to see more mysteries solved by this crew!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the publisher. Publication date: May 2020



Epic McDade is going to middle school but first he has to survive the summer. Epic lives in Carmelito, California, America's #1 Dog-Friendly Town. His parents run a local bed and breakfast which caters to all your canine needs. This summer excitement comes to town in the form of Sir Bentley star of the dog detective show Bentley Knows. When Bentley's bejeweled collar goes missing, Epic and the other McDade kids are all in for a clue-finding, dog-walking, suspect-hunting adventure.



I wasn't sure about this book when I picked it up. I was worried that a caper-filled mystery set around a dog extravaganza would not keep my attention for 360 pages. I was wrong. The quirky characters kept me coming back to read more and the mystery kept me guessing. I loved the character of Epic McDade. He is very relatable with his anxieties about middle school and his wild siblings. I enjoyed spending time with the characters and that is one of the highest compliments I can give to books.



I recommend this books to any K-5 library and it may find a home in middle school libraries as well.

[Amanda Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the dog-friendly town of Carmelito, California, just awarded the coveted prize of America’s #1 Dog-Friendly Town. Taking center stage is the Perro Del Mar Bed & Breakfast, home to Epic, Rondo and Elvis McDade. As the events of the awards week unfurl, a middle-grade-portioned mystery hides in every friendly tail wag and posh puppy encounter, waiting to be pieced together.

Hitting a bullseye of appeal with younger readers, author Josephine Cameron reels younger readers in with all the right mentions: social media, celebrity sightings, changing friendships, an appeal to every kid’s inner sleuth, and all the sweet puppies! While working to solve the mystery, young readers are also (perhaps unknowingly) being introduced to the downfalls of internet sensationalism, the need for creativity, open-minded acceptance and more ecological living. As a teacher of middlers, the thematic undercurrents weaving their way into the fabric of the story earn this book a prime spot on my classroom bookshelf!

[Lanelle Duke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Josephine Cameron. There is a wide variety of characters. I think everyone can find someone they identify with. The author has a nice way of getting into a character's head and heart and sharing what they are thinking and feeling - very believable and genuine. Beautiful and thoughtful writing. The mystery really kept me guessing. A few times I thought I had it figured out . . . only to realize I was wrong. I appreciated the character "map" at the beginning. There were quite a few bed and breakfast guests so having the map to refer back to helped me to keep it all straight.

If you haven't read her first book, Maybe a Mermaid. I'd highly recommend you do. While I really liked A Dog-Friendly Town, I liked Maybe a Mermaid even better. Looking forward to her next book.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fun story for any 3rd - 5th grader. Twelve year old Epic & his younger siblings have to solve the mystery of who stole a valuable dog collar from their parents dog-friendly B & B. The town they live in, Carmelito, CA, is also dog-friendly and just received the coveted prize of America’s #1 Dog-Friendly Town. This story contains wonderful characters (human & dogs) and will appeal to students that love dogs & mysteries! I enjoyed reading how Epic deals with his younger siblings, working to solve the mystery of who stole the valuable dog collar, and his feelings about beginning a new school (middle school). I felt the characters were quirky & fun and I think kids might be able to relate to at least one or more characters in the story.

[Misty Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a cat lover – I mean I like dogs but I really am a cat person. That being said – I LOVED this book. It made me want to travel with our dogs. While Epic and his friends are the main focus of the story line – the dogs play a huge role. Josephine has spun a suspenseful tale that keeps the reader on their toes. Can Epic keep his siblings out of trouble while solving a mystery? Can he do all of this during the busiest and most popular celebration his sleepy little town has ever experienced? What will Epic and his friends do? Can they work together to solve the mystery in time? Pick up a copy of A Dog-Friendly Town to discover the answers to all these questions!

[Blinn Sheffield · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve year old Epic and his younger siblings Rondo and Elvis find themselves in the middle of a mystery when a valuable dog collar is stolen from their parents' dog-friendly b&b in the dog-friendly town of Carmelito, California. This is just the latest crisis for Epic, who will be starting a new school in the fall, falls out with his best friend, and can't seem to keep his siblings under control. The delightful human and canine characters, along with the quirky mystery and often-chaotic action, will appeal to dog-lovers in particular.

[Binxie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Calling all dog lovers - and pun lovers - and mystery lovers! This book combines all three providing the reader with a great summer read. Epic and his siblings live with their parents in the dog loving B&B they run. Unconventional in so many ways, this family is as interesting as the guests. When a week long celebration heads to their town, the most dog friendly town in the country, the mystery begins. A stolen jewel studded dog collar, numerous suspects ala Agatha Christie, red herrings, and a brother obsessed with all things detective, are just some of the highlights. Read and enjoy.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked A Dog-Friendly Town! Epic's charming narration features a great mix of humor, suspense, and middle-school worries, and I loved the portrayal of a family of smart, seemingly-neurodivergent kids. There's a diverse range of secondary characters as well. The setting of a close-knit West Coast town is well-done. Whether or not you're a dog-lover, there's plenty to enjoy here.

Note there are multiple mentions of throwing up, especially in the beginning of the book, in case that's a topic you're uneasy about.

[MJ Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was able to read an advanced physical copy of A Dog-Friendly Town by Josephine Cameron on behalf of #BookAllies. I loved the adventure that this book told, with solving a mystery and getting to know so many different characters. The beginning of the book had a detailed character sketch for each one, and that was really helpful for keeping everyone straight. This book will be a great one for my dog loving mystery fans!

[Michelle Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters and also the love for dogs in this fun story. The chapters are short and it moves at a quick pace that will keep young readers engaged. It is a different type of mystery than you often see and I think it will appeal to many children. I would like to see more books with this family!

Advanced digital copy provided by NetGalley.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are you looking for a fresh and funny mystery filled with family antics, dogs, and funny characters, then pick up this book!
What would happen if your town was taken over by dogs and dog lovers?... Then something goes missing...A great cast of characters make this book a standout especially for summer reading.

[MJ Buckley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs, mystery, celebrities, and family make this “tail” of A Dog-Friendly Town fun to read! It’s the perfect addition to any classroom library (3rd-5th) for students who love dogs and mysteries. Im a huge fan of the character art work in the beginning, because it really helps the reader visualize throughout the story and keep all the suspects straight.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this, although I agree with reviewers who said it was too long. A tighter editing eye would have been good. But I still think there are quite a few readers who would enjoy a trip to a dog friendly hotel/town with a light mystery and some family/sibling drama. I'm going to bring it on school visits and see what kids think.

[LaVonne Hanlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming detective story for dog lovers, with lovable canine and human characters. Good character development, interesting plot, and strong family ties, but a little long. Recommend for gifted readers or upper elementary pet enthusiasts.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed digital review copies of this book through Edelweiss and NetGalley.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the town and the characters in this book. I thought the mystery was good. I would like to see more adventures from Epic and the rest of the town.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kid-friendly mystery with lots of dogs and quirky characters.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this charming mystery with the sweetest characters down!

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow your curiosity!

[Ricki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written and thought-out fun middle-grade mystery.

[Danny Mcalister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book would read it again

[Erica Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was so fun and creative! It's a feel-good mystery story for dog lovers of all ages.

[Carie Hayworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might make for a good read aloud in the classroom.