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Daisy in the Doghouse
From the author of Managed Care, the Maxy Book Awards 2019 "Book of the Year"
What happens when an ex-CEO, frustrated with the corruption in the American financial system, hijacks his twelve-year-old daughter’s blog to try and change things from the bottom up?
In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Jack Sullivan, former CEO and current stay-at-home dad, struggles to find an outlet for his frustrations with the unfair financial systems of corporate America. Meanwhile, Daisy, his precocious twelve-year-old daughter, has recently garnered a substantial following for her new blog, documenting surreptitious “social experiments” performed on her unaware family. When Daisy’s blogging activities are outed, Jack decides to leverage his daughter’s popularity with American youth to communicate the greed and hypocrisy inherent in the corporate professions of many parents. Inspired by her father’s rants, the popularity of Daisy’s blog soars, resulting in an unlikely sequence of events that ultimately has a very positive impact on way that people treat each other in American society.
What happens when an ex-CEO, frustrated with the corruption in the American financial system, hijacks his twelve-year-old daughter’s blog to try and change things from the bottom up?
In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Jack Sullivan, former CEO and current stay-at-home dad, struggles to find an outlet for his frustrations with the unfair financial systems of corporate America. Meanwhile, Daisy, his precocious twelve-year-old daughter, has recently garnered a substantial following for her new blog, documenting surreptitious “social experiments” performed on her unaware family. When Daisy’s blogging activities are outed, Jack decides to leverage his daughter’s popularity with American youth to communicate the greed and hypocrisy inherent in the corporate professions of many parents. Inspired by her father’s rants, the popularity of Daisy’s blog soars, resulting in an unlikely sequence of events that ultimately has a very positive impact on way that people treat each other in American society.
- GenresFiction
Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 19, 2022
'Daisy in the Doghouse' gives us an informative (often disturbing) insiders view into big money corruption and what one little girl with a lot of confidence, spunk, & heart (combined with a close knit, loving, supportive family) can do to change the way we look at what's really important and become the change-agents we are meant to be. It's really not rocket science....
Narrator James Thomas Werther did a fantastic job making me laugh-out-loud throughout. Thank you.
Narrator James Thomas Werther did a fantastic job making me laugh-out-loud throughout. Thank you.
September 19, 2020
A very good book, that deals with the errors of the corporate world when it comes to considering the effects they/it have on the general population.
With the help of his daughter and her social blog, the main character (Jack), uses modern social technology to broadcast his opinions. what started as an experiment, quickly builds up speed within the younger population who demand change.
The story itself is portrayed in an honest way, but the characters sometimes drift the story to be written more for a YA audience. Nothing wrong with that - teach them while they're young - but is does, occasionally, lessen the impact of the story.
Regardless, like all of this author's other books, a very enjoyable read. Recommended.
With the help of his daughter and her social blog, the main character (Jack), uses modern social technology to broadcast his opinions. what started as an experiment, quickly builds up speed within the younger population who demand change.
The story itself is portrayed in an honest way, but the characters sometimes drift the story to be written more for a YA audience. Nothing wrong with that - teach them while they're young - but is does, occasionally, lessen the impact of the story.
Regardless, like all of this author's other books, a very enjoyable read. Recommended.
November 15, 2019
Lest you think the eponymous Daisy is in trouble: "Daisy in the Doghouse" is part of her family's brand, one that has been built up on Daisy's blog, "Stuff That's Wrong With The World" which, when the story opens, has 37K-and-growing followers. Get much more involved in the novel, and all that begins to seem perfectly normal: That 12-year-olds, with the technical assistance of their 10-year-old brothers can foster a capital-M Movement across the world to inspire the off-spring of the wealthy to rise up and shame their parents into fixing what's wrong with the world is everyday stuff here... If I say more, I'll spoil it. I'll leave it at this: Daisy is a larger than life character whom we can all look up to; her pet peeves are universal and her solutions are pretty amusing. There is a disjoint in this between life as we know it and the world Daisy's family lives in, but that makes the humor all the more poignant. The novel makes us see the potential for a better world in a present-day that needs a few big rays of hope, which is enough to excuse any unevenness of style or bloopers in editing.
February 18, 2021
I bought this book because I had read Unplugged by Joe Barrett, which is one of the best books I've ever read - funny, well constructed, upbeat. However, I was disappointed with Daisy in the Doghouse. The words that kept coming to mind were 'facile' and 'polemic'. It seems the author was only focused on making one point and the story was merely a two-dimensional frame to convey that point. The characters were cute but had no depth, and neither did the story. It became tedious and I finally quit reading about two-thirds of the way through.
August 18, 2019
I won a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway. For that I'd like to thank the author and the publisher.
While I was fine with the writing style, it seemed a bit simplistic. I don't know if this book is for YA or Adults, as it read as somewhere between the two. There were bits of humour, which were fine and didn't stop the plot but moved it along. This book did hold my interest, but I found myself frustrated with it at times over little things that detracted from the main focus of the book.
My main issue with the book is that it was an idealized world view. Things are black and white for the most part - these people doing this job good, these people doing this job bad. I also had an issue with a huge focus of the book and would've loved to see the author address somewhere. Finally near the end of the book, a little time is spent regarding people who try to game the system, which I kept thinking about once the blog took off, but it was almost as if someone suggested it and the author put it in.
While I was fine with the writing style, it seemed a bit simplistic. I don't know if this book is for YA or Adults, as it read as somewhere between the two. There were bits of humour, which were fine and didn't stop the plot but moved it along. This book did hold my interest, but I found myself frustrated with it at times over little things that detracted from the main focus of the book.
My main issue with the book is that it was an idealized world view. Things are black and white for the most part - these people doing this job good, these people doing this job bad. I also had an issue with a huge focus of the book and would've loved to see the author address somewhere. Finally near the end of the book, a little time is spent regarding people who try to game the system, which I kept thinking about once the blog took off, but it was almost as if someone suggested it and the author put it in.
September 23, 2019
Do-gooders
The optimism in this story is overwhelming, so it is appropriate that it is started by a child. Teaching the world to sing in perfect harmony , by doing good for other people. It gives you a feeling of hope about the future, unlike real life where people seem to be in a "I got mine so screw you" mode.
Maybe blogging with a altruistic purpose could change the world into a better place.....
The optimism in this story is overwhelming, so it is appropriate that it is started by a child. Teaching the world to sing in perfect harmony , by doing good for other people. It gives you a feeling of hope about the future, unlike real life where people seem to be in a "I got mine so screw you" mode.
Maybe blogging with a altruistic purpose could change the world into a better place.....
October 30, 2019
Wish it were true!
What a feel good and optimistic book. A Dad frustrated with the wealth imbalance in this country via banks and corporate wealth inspired his 12 year old daughter to tweak her blog to addressing the inequality to other kids. It works in incredible ways. Fun and funny and so spot on.
What a feel good and optimistic book. A Dad frustrated with the wealth imbalance in this country via banks and corporate wealth inspired his 12 year old daughter to tweak her blog to addressing the inequality to other kids. It works in incredible ways. Fun and funny and so spot on.
September 8, 2019
This book is not about a dog. It is the story about how one father-daughter team can change the world. Daisy begins to write in her blog about what is wrong with the financial systems in America. Rated G
September 22, 2019
Find out what's wrong with corporate through the eyes of a young girl with help from her dad. It was funny, interesting, entertaining and educational. Sometimes you have to call people out and try to get them to think about someone other than themselves. Help them find some redeeming qualities.
November 25, 2019
Truly awful. I loved Managed Care, but this book was disappointing. It’s heavy-handed and the premise is ridiculous. I have nothing good to say...I forced myself to finish it.
June 25, 2020
A must read for middle grade readers
I knew from the beginning that I was going to enjoy this book from the very beginning. The father, Jack, this is going crazy because someone is changing how he puts is roll of toilet paper. It's over not under. Then he finds out that is his 12 years old daughter that had been messing with their minds for sometime and blogging her results. Her father asked her how many followers she has. After she tells him, he is surprised by the amount.
Jack gives Daisy an idea for her blog and it is to talk about social injustices. To get her followers inform about some of them. And it's when Daisy's blog go crazy. Her followers starts increasing exponentially and starts making a lot of money.
This book explains very well terms like capitalism, communism, how a non profit company works. Helps his kids (Sam and Daisy) in establishing the parameters to use in how to select who they are going to help. And with this project how they realized where the needs are.
I highly recommend the book. The relationship between the parents and the kids is amazing, how grounded these kids are. The only thing I didn't like was how the author handled the graffiti situation.
I knew from the beginning that I was going to enjoy this book from the very beginning. The father, Jack, this is going crazy because someone is changing how he puts is roll of toilet paper. It's over not under. Then he finds out that is his 12 years old daughter that had been messing with their minds for sometime and blogging her results. Her father asked her how many followers she has. After she tells him, he is surprised by the amount.
Jack gives Daisy an idea for her blog and it is to talk about social injustices. To get her followers inform about some of them. And it's when Daisy's blog go crazy. Her followers starts increasing exponentially and starts making a lot of money.
This book explains very well terms like capitalism, communism, how a non profit company works. Helps his kids (Sam and Daisy) in establishing the parameters to use in how to select who they are going to help. And with this project how they realized where the needs are.
I highly recommend the book. The relationship between the parents and the kids is amazing, how grounded these kids are. The only thing I didn't like was how the author handled the graffiti situation.
January 31, 2024
I love everything that Joe writes
I love all of Joe’s books and have read them all. I was trying to explain this one to a friend. A 12 year old with a blog where she writes about the things she does to her family. Then her dad gets involved because he has a big hate on about unscrupulous banks, bankers, lawyers who advise clients how to get out of paying their way. It has always angered me that the USA banking system brought about the global economic crisis through their greed and the governments around the world bailed them out. Well dad finds a way to call them out. Daisy is only 12, Sam 10. But it’s not about whether they are old enough to do what they do. At heart it’s about greed. Privatising wealth and socialising debt. Ripping off people who can least afford it. All written so well, with totally believable characters and Joe’s trademark quirky humour. And it will make you think about big companies, tax attorneys, politicians etc and what we can do about it at a grassroots, personal, individual level. Time to write about climate change Joe.
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I love all of Joe’s books and have read them all. I was trying to explain this one to a friend. A 12 year old with a blog where she writes about the things she does to her family. Then her dad gets involved because he has a big hate on about unscrupulous banks, bankers, lawyers who advise clients how to get out of paying their way. It has always angered me that the USA banking system brought about the global economic crisis through their greed and the governments around the world bailed them out. Well dad finds a way to call them out. Daisy is only 12, Sam 10. But it’s not about whether they are old enough to do what they do. At heart it’s about greed. Privatising wealth and socialising debt. Ripping off people who can least afford it. All written so well, with totally believable characters and Joe’s trademark quirky humour. And it will make you think about big companies, tax attorneys, politicians etc and what we can do about it at a grassroots, personal, individual level. Time to write about climate change Joe.
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August 1, 2022
As with so many books I review for LibraryThing Early Reviewers, this book was not what I expected. I had a hard time deciding between 3 and 4 stars for it. The author's style reminded me a little of Dave Barry or Lewis Grizzard in the beginning but then became a little more serious in tone. The premise of the book is that a tween blogger with the help of her 10-year-old hacker type brother and business type father can create an alternate financial system to the current one in the U.S. It chronicles the events as each blog is posted and what needs to be done in response. It shows some of the pitfalls that arise as the ideas from the blog take off. The story is told from the point of view of the father and something I really liked was he was not portrayed as a doofus as so many men/fathers are. There were some unresolved issues, but then when you are changing the world for the better you cannot do everything right away. I good read with the window left open for sequel.
December 12, 2019
I received Daisy in the Doghouse through a Goodreads Giveaway.
Daisy in the Doghouse is cute, although not overly entertaining to an adult audience. I found myself bored rather quickly, even annoyed with the idealistic imagery from the family. After five chapters I hadn't developed an attachment to the characters, instead, I felt like I was watching a television show in which I was dying for a commercial break. While the book was definitely not a success with me, I could see it being a fantastic book for a family to read to younger children. It could honestly be a great book to pick up on fathers day, as the story features a father-daughter team. That could be a cute gift idea to someone with a young daughter or granddaughter.
Daisy in the Doghouse is cute, although not overly entertaining to an adult audience. I found myself bored rather quickly, even annoyed with the idealistic imagery from the family. After five chapters I hadn't developed an attachment to the characters, instead, I felt like I was watching a television show in which I was dying for a commercial break. While the book was definitely not a success with me, I could see it being a fantastic book for a family to read to younger children. It could honestly be a great book to pick up on fathers day, as the story features a father-daughter team. That could be a cute gift idea to someone with a young daughter or granddaughter.
January 1, 2020
I picked the right book to end the year. I read almost 200 pages of this book on NYE in order to make my Good Reads goal for 2019. The books is light and entertaining and very readable.
But it's a little too anodyne to be great. The story arc is more like a Hallmark movie than a challenging work of fiction. The central story point is that a frustrated well-to-do but currently unemployed house dad co-opts the blog of his 12 year old daughter to shake up the system. Barrett plays with some interesting ideas, but too superfically. There are almost no negative consequences to this scheme. It just sort of changes the world for the better.
But it was enjoyable. And I made my goal. Hazzah!
But it's a little too anodyne to be great. The story arc is more like a Hallmark movie than a challenging work of fiction. The central story point is that a frustrated well-to-do but currently unemployed house dad co-opts the blog of his 12 year old daughter to shake up the system. Barrett plays with some interesting ideas, but too superfically. There are almost no negative consequences to this scheme. It just sort of changes the world for the better.
But it was enjoyable. And I made my goal. Hazzah!
January 12, 2020
Crazy, good story!!! The only thing I found slightly unbelievable and a little annoying was the fact that the 10 and 12-year-old had such incredible vocabularies. I have grandchildren who are 9 and 11 and they are both really bright but they don't talk like that (at least not to me!). Otherwise, I loved the story itself and I wish we lived in a society where all of the banks were not-for-profit and Wall Street would just go away, as well as the bankers, brokers, etc. They might have to find "real" jobs if that were the case and live "normal," work-for-a-living lives like the rest of us. I'm definitely going to check out Mr. Barrett's other reads.
April 11, 2020
I won a copy of Daisy in the Doghouse in a Goodreads giveaway. I’d originally picked the book as a possible Christmas gift for one of my grandchildren after I read about in the giveaway, but after I won, I decided to read it first, and changed my mind.
Quite an easy read, and very charming and humorous. The children of the house, Daisy and Sam, are wise beyond there years, but not surprising after meeting their parents.
I can easily see this as a TV dramedy series. Granted, there are a few crude and rude remarks, nothing not already seen or heard on TV
Overall, I liked the book, and would recommend it to others.
Quite an easy read, and very charming and humorous. The children of the house, Daisy and Sam, are wise beyond there years, but not surprising after meeting their parents.
I can easily see this as a TV dramedy series. Granted, there are a few crude and rude remarks, nothing not already seen or heard on TV
Overall, I liked the book, and would recommend it to others.
July 14, 2020
Another great read by Joe Barrett. I was really looking forwarding to reading his next book after I finished (and loved) Managed Care. I was hoping I would not be disappointed and I was not!!
Daisy in the Doghouse has a great message without being preachy and it is laugh out loud funny! I loved the family dynamic and wish I could actually meet Daisy and Sam.
I'm looking forward to Mr. Barrett's next book. I have just started to re-reading some books. I don't usually because there are so many books to read and so little time. Daisy in the Doghouse and Managed Care are two books that I will definitely read again!!!
Daisy in the Doghouse has a great message without being preachy and it is laugh out loud funny! I loved the family dynamic and wish I could actually meet Daisy and Sam.
I'm looking forward to Mr. Barrett's next book. I have just started to re-reading some books. I don't usually because there are so many books to read and so little time. Daisy in the Doghouse and Managed Care are two books that I will definitely read again!!!
April 9, 2023
I may be too jaded to believe that rich people can change and become benevolent to the people who are not making too much money. I admit I kind of drifted off with the money talk, but I seriously loved Daisy and Sam. Daisy is a spoiled, pretentious little girl who is trying to do the right thing. She wasn’t really trying to do the right thing. Her dad suggested that. She just wanted to razz her parents. And Sam...Sweet Sam...he’s so conscientious and giving and respectful and loving. Who else would get punched in the face on account of Daisy? Catelyn is a wonderful woman who endures her whole family.
February 28, 2021
Fun, confusing, warming
I bought this book just based on faith that Joe Barrett would write another interest and fun book. I was so happy I did. As the characters developed I grew to identify with my real life acquaintances and situations. At first I was confused as to where the story was going but about chapter five I saw Joe's writing style beginning to form characters that I enjoyed reading about. If only real life could emulate the way this story develops that would be so warm and refreshing. Wait a minute...maybe it could.
I bought this book just based on faith that Joe Barrett would write another interest and fun book. I was so happy I did. As the characters developed I grew to identify with my real life acquaintances and situations. At first I was confused as to where the story was going but about chapter five I saw Joe's writing style beginning to form characters that I enjoyed reading about. If only real life could emulate the way this story develops that would be so warm and refreshing. Wait a minute...maybe it could.
August 19, 2019
First, I extend my thanks to goodreads and the book's giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain a copy of this book.
I truly wanted to be a fan of this story as I had sought a bit of change in story type from the mysteries I normally read. I however found myself several times to have moved along in the story page wise, but without an awareness of what had occurred.
3 stars for the story concept, just not a good match for me.
I truly wanted to be a fan of this story as I had sought a bit of change in story type from the mysteries I normally read. I however found myself several times to have moved along in the story page wise, but without an awareness of what had occurred.
3 stars for the story concept, just not a good match for me.
July 4, 2025
make the world a better place
Once again, Joe Barrett has managed to write an unbelievably clever entertaining novel-this time about an extraordinary child and her vision to make the world a better place.
This book is not only a heartwarming story, but a story that is conceivable and one I wish were an account of true events.
I hope that one day, we may find a real version of Daisy and her delightful family.
Once again, Joe Barrett has managed to write an unbelievably clever entertaining novel-this time about an extraordinary child and her vision to make the world a better place.
This book is not only a heartwarming story, but a story that is conceivable and one I wish were an account of true events.
I hope that one day, we may find a real version of Daisy and her delightful family.
December 10, 2019
Funny and Engaging
This book was an easy read and very interesting. It was a good look into how quickly a movement can grow and problems they might face while also staying pretty light and funny. Gives you a lot to think about. There was just so much talk about banking and it was little repetitive (kind of the point of the book) so I took 1 star off. Overall good read!
This book was an easy read and very interesting. It was a good look into how quickly a movement can grow and problems they might face while also staying pretty light and funny. Gives you a lot to think about. There was just so much talk about banking and it was little repetitive (kind of the point of the book) so I took 1 star off. Overall good read!
July 11, 2021
Loved it and laughed out loud!
I have never written a book review before and I read copious amounts! This book touched me in a way that demanded acknowledgment. Addressing the evils of our society in a blatant and humorous manner, as well as providing real life solutions, was brilliant!
Kudos to you, Joe Barrett. Please please please keep on writing!
I have never written a book review before and I read copious amounts! This book touched me in a way that demanded acknowledgment. Addressing the evils of our society in a blatant and humorous manner, as well as providing real life solutions, was brilliant!
Kudos to you, Joe Barrett. Please please please keep on writing!
June 20, 2024
ok boomer
Couldn't finish it. It was whiny and the narrator was awful. His son was good at programming so he's a "hacker". He uses "gay" as a slur. He calls the Latino housekeepers "the beaches". Is he a 12-year-old in 1993? The book is beyond dumb and somehow even worse than the other book of his that I read. Definitely won't be giving him a chance for a third strike.
Couldn't finish it. It was whiny and the narrator was awful. His son was good at programming so he's a "hacker". He uses "gay" as a slur. He calls the Latino housekeepers "the beaches". Is he a 12-year-old in 1993? The book is beyond dumb and somehow even worse than the other book of his that I read. Definitely won't be giving him a chance for a third strike.
July 21, 2024
"Come, I'll Take You By the Hand, We'll Fly to Never Never Land..."
A bit more of a grandiose scandal brought to the fore than the previous books, but ironically leaving more hope than anger. Skilful use of pre-teen innocence/wisdom when dealing with peers and adults in engaging, often laugh out loud funny, what if...story.
A bit more of a grandiose scandal brought to the fore than the previous books, but ironically leaving more hope than anger. Skilful use of pre-teen innocence/wisdom when dealing with peers and adults in engaging, often laugh out loud funny, what if...story.
September 10, 2019
3.5 stars. I think this is more of a YA book.
I loved the topic and the suggestions for making this world a better place, rather than just more of the same where the rich gets too rich and the honest person suffers to make it possible. I wished Daisy's world could become ours.
I loved the topic and the suggestions for making this world a better place, rather than just more of the same where the rich gets too rich and the honest person suffers to make it possible. I wished Daisy's world could become ours.
May 8, 2020
Thank you Joe! A humorous but well written look at the disparity between the ultra wealthy and the working class Americans. Told in an easily understood point of view as a child and as a corporate wage earner. A true must read for understanding "how money makes the world turn."
October 23, 2020
A book about doing good in a different way
Be prepared for a surprise and an enjoyable read. If you've wondered how to make the world a better place, read this book. Two kids, their parents and the internet take down corporate America.
Be prepared for a surprise and an enjoyable read. If you've wondered how to make the world a better place, read this book. Two kids, their parents and the internet take down corporate America.
July 25, 2021
Another great alternative storyline from Joe Barrett
This should be on every kids summer reading list. Fun, edgy social commentary. Joe Barrett hits it outta da ballpark! Read it, you'll see........
This should be on every kids summer reading list. Fun, edgy social commentary. Joe Barrett hits it outta da ballpark! Read it, you'll see........
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews