Ruffing It

Dog Diaries #5

by James Patterson, Steven Butler (Contributor), Richard Watson (Illustrator)

*Running Time => 1hr. and 31mins.*

IN THIS FUN ADVENTURE, JUNIOR FINALLY GETS TO GO ON A FAMILY VACATION - BUT WHEN THE KHATCHADORIANS GO CAMPING, CAN THEIR TROUBLEMAKING POOCH SURVIVE THE GREAT OUTDOORS?

Junior is so excited - his human family is going on vacation, and this time they're taking him with them. And they're going to the most magical place in the world - the woods! All the sticks you could possibly want! Endless raccoons to chase! A lake to doggy-paddle in! It's a canine paradise!

But all of Junior's best plans are ruined when Iona Stricker - the most miserable, cruel, and obedience-obsessed human you could ever meet - shows up and puts and end to his fun. That is, until a fugitive from the local animal shelter sneaks into camp and everything changes.

This vacation might turn out to be fun after all!


©2021 James Patterson (P)2021 Jimmy Patterson

Genres: Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Animals, Middle Grade, Audiobook, Dogs

Audible Audio

First published May 14, 2020

About the author

Official US Site
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JIMMY Patterson Books
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James Patterson is the most popular storyteller of our time and the creator of such unforgettable characters and series as Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Jane Smith, and Maximum Ride. He has coauthored #1 bestselling novels with Bill Clinton, Dolly Parton, and Michael Crichton, as well as collaborated on #1 bestselling nonfiction, including The Idaho Four, Walk in My Combat Boots, and Filthy Rich. Patterson has told the story of his own life in the #1 bestselling autobiography James Patterson by James Patterson. He is the recipient of an Edgar Award, ten Emmy Awards, the Literarian Award from the National Book Foundation, and the National Humanities Medal.

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Junior finally gets to go on a vacation with his furless person pack of humans, but just as the fun was getting started Iona Stricker shows up and puts a damper on Junior's fun. In the meantime a dangerous escaped criminal is lurking about, and it's up to Junior, and his pooch-pack to capture him, and salvage what little fun is left before his vacation is totally ruined

[Alana Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

[SQ4792 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually won the give away for the first book in the series but was sent this one instead.

This book is a series but it is generally very jump in and jump out. A lot of the back story of the characters is put up front so you would not miss much about the dog and the family. Either way for any kid that likes dogs this will be a good book, it has fun illustration and decent humor. There are also a few activity book type activities in the back they can do. Some of the writing can feel a little hyper because it is from the perspective of the dog. But that can help if you have a kid that has trouble focusing on long term story stuff. Just overall a fun and entertaining book for kids.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe Junior is the dog version of James Patterson. He has many ideas and gets on them as often as James Patterson writes books off of his ideas. A wonderful thought. I hope all dogs even if they don't get to act on their thoughts can have dog-tastic dreams. Camping ended up quite the adventure for Junior, his friends and their humans. I've found many fun camping adventures in my lifetime. One of them ended with me having to ride home in the packed up camper and crawl out once home. My neighbor laughed and said that made her day. Mine too. It wasn't an awful ride. I read a book with a flashlight on the way home that I'd packed in my pillowcase. Ah, ruffing it!

[Courtenay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This smacks of Stick Dog slapstick humor, not what I'd expect from Patterson but it will certainly find an audience. It felt much more like a chapter book / 4th-6th grade read rather than middle school (unless Patterson is targeting reluctant readers, which is certainly possible). I like the premise of taking Rafe's dog and letting him have his own series but... overall this series feels pretty young to be called "middle grade."

[Stephanie Harless · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the idea of the story of Junior going to camping in the woods. This story had some funny parts like the other books, but I didn't like this one as much. It was still good, but I didn't love it or hate it. I love the part though with the fat racoons. So cute. I disliked the poodle and her owner in this book a lot more than the other books. I don't like them. I gave this book 4 stars though. Dogs, that's all I'm going to say.

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book free through Goodreads First Read.

This is a funny continuation of the series, but you do not need to read the previous books to understand what is happening. Perfect for kids who like dogs with crazy plans and cute drawings. This book is written like a diary, just broken down by time instead of days.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. The dog narrates this story and takes you on a fun camping adventure in the woods. Humorous and lighthearted, with great illustrations, the author successfully captures all that must be going on in a dog's mind. It would be a great book for young readers.

[Cris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This the fifth installment of the Dog Diaries. I love this series. It’s told from the dogs point of view so some words are changed up, don’t fear though, if you can’t figure them out there’s a cheat sheet in the back of the book. In this installment the families goes camping and the dogs get to go too!!

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

185 pgs. Cute series about a dog who is always having adventures with its family. This time Junior is going with his family to a campsite for some camping fun. Everything is going great until Ms. Strickler shows up with her poodle. Kids will enjoy this one, especially if they are already fans of the series. The illustrations are hilarious. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.

[Emily Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good and it has a lot of humour it reminds me of all the silly mistakes my cocker spaniel made like falling down the stairs and accidentally doing a backflip over a slipper (he wasn’t hurt don’t worry).

[Galion Public Library Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by M.F. : "Awesome book."

[Ginger Mcclintick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book.

[Lisa Murphy-Garza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was cute

[Kristy Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dog Diaries Ruffing It is a hilarious graphic novel for kids and adults who have kept in touch with their inner child! I chuckled several times.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with all the illustrations to read and show little ones!

[Ninja Alec · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was as good as mission impawsible. I recommend the dog diaries to you.

[Ninja Alec · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was as good as mission impawsible. I recommend the dog diaries to you.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute for the kiddos!

[IN MY TS ERA · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE ALL THE DOG DIARIES

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 9 and 10 year olds loved it

[Pug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This campground looked like fun! Except I'm getting tired of Iona Stricker. Someone tell her to go take a flying leap, please!

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miss 5 enjoys the Dog Diaries series book narrated from the perspective of a dog with his sometimes inaccurate interpretations of "People-ish". She likes that he really means well even if he sometimes makes mistakes with hilarious results. In many ways this is an integration of Junior's past - there are references to Book #3 as the family goes on vacation (together this time); to Book #1 as Stricker and Princess show up with all their grumpiness; more references to the infamous Mama Mange; and more amusing cartoon plans as Junior's imagination goes wild.

Miss 5 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the Dog Diaries series. In this book Junior, the dog, who tells the story to us, gives us the highlight at one point or another of each of the first four books. This all happens in the process of telling us about his camping trip. I love that his “gang” is included in the book and that his “pet human” are included too. I love the words he uses. It makes you wonder what our pets really think. Grandmoo. (Grandmother) Sleep room(bedroom) Food room(kitchen) Rainy poop room(bathroom) . Picture box(TV) Moving people box on wheels(car) Flappy kennel(tent). Just to name a few.

[Tori Darland · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good!! I can’t wait for the next one

[Katy Lovejoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is the middle school series any good?