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Dog Squad #2

Cat Crew

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When trouble calls . . . it’s Dog Squad to the rescue! But when calamity calls . . . call in Cat Crew!
 
Fred, the loveable stray who became the star of the hit streaming sensation, DOG SQUAD, is back and working on a new show—Cat Crew! But wait a second—there’s something funny about these felines! And something suspicious about their animal trainer. Is this cat crew being electronically controlled?!?! And what exactly is the evil trainer plotting? Can Fred save the day . . .and the cats?! It's time for an all paws on deck top-secret rescue mission!
 

272 pages, Hardcover

Published October 18, 2022

30 people are currently reading
78 people want to read

About the author

Chris Grabenstein

157 books2,445 followers
CHRIS GRABENSTEIN is a #1 New York Times bestselling author. His books include the LEMONCELLO, WONDERLAND, HAUNTED MYSTERY, DOG SQUAD, and SMARTEST KID IN THE UNIVERSE series, and many fun and funny page-turners co-authored with James Patterson. You can visit Chris at ChrisGrabenstein.com.

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5 stars
41 (42%)
4 stars
31 (31%)
3 stars
23 (23%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,399 reviews186 followers
May 11, 2023
The Dog Squad show animal actors have wrapped up their latest season of shooting so they get to take a break. Well, almost all of them. Mr. Espinosa has an idea for a spinoff show featuring a cat group that saves the day and wants Fred to star in the pilot with the cats. Jenny and Abby have their work cut out for them encouraging the cats to want to do the stunts required for the show. And time is ticking because a new seal show is getting all the rave reviews and the network is feeling the pressure. Also, the farm's next door neighbor Kitty Bitteridge is jealous of Jenny's animal training acclaim and is using dubious methods to create her own cat crew for a new show. One of the cats in Kitty's clutches is a friend of street cats Mehitabel and Yakster who decide to cooperate with Jenny for the pilot if it will get them a chance to rescue their friend Einstein. Mehitabel and Yakster recruit Fred and gang to help them rescue their friend when the cameras are off. But Ms. Bitteridge has some serious security. Can the Dog Squad and Cat Crew save the day in real life?

Another fun adventure with animal actors who sport a broad range of personalities. Fred is such a kind and patient friend, and really cares about the other animals having a long term home (which is on the line if their show gets canceled). Readers do learn a thing or two about how animal trainers really work with animals for movie and TV productions, and also about humane methods of doing so. In the end this is a feel good adventure for animal lovers.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content. Some animals are being shocked, but they all get happy endings.
Profile Image for Christine LaBatt.
1,135 reviews9 followers
April 27, 2022
The second in the Dog Squad series that centers around a group of animals fighting crime! This book sees the Dog Squad crew working with cats in a new tv show idea, Cat Crew. However, animals keep going missing at the same time that their sketchy neighbor is debuting her own animal run show. The animals must work together to make everything right.

This was a cute book! I hadn't read the first one but I still enjoyed this one.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kristen Gwen.
Author 5 books13 followers
October 18, 2022
Dog Squad 2: Cat Crew, is a story for the whole family. Lots of fun action, cat and dog puns, and old enemies coming together to win the day, Dog Squad has it all.

Fred plays Duke on a TV show. And while Duke is brave and will do anything to save the day, Fred is a bit more timid in real life. So when he teams up with two stray cats who claim their buddy was stolen by an evil maniac who is forcing cats to obey her every whim, Fred might face his most terrifying challenge yet. Join Fred and his friends as they discover the sinister villains behind the newest TV show that just might force Fred’s show off the air.

I highly recommend Dog Squad 2: Cat Crew. A fantastic read for all!
I received a free copy of this book to reviewing purposes from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Carissa.
301 reviews1 follower
October 23, 2022
Golden five, as is typical of Grabenstein's books. No surprise there. I read it in one day. Thank you for providing your fans with another few hours of great entertainment.
139 reviews3 followers
January 5, 2023
A cute sequel to Dog Squad with lots of tenacious felines. Chris Grabenstein keeps you on edge with his cunning story telling.
Profile Image for Chelsea Kaminski.
38 reviews2 followers
June 16, 2023
This book was super cute. My daughter really enjoyed it. I definitely recommend to anyone who loves their furry friends. I wish I had read the first book but I'm sure it won't make that much of a difference.
1,151 reviews6 followers
March 18, 2023
Another winner in the Dog Squad series. In this unique story Grabenstein adds cats into the mix and shows that cats and dogs can combine to defeat a common enemy. The usual villains Ms. Kitty Kittenbridge and her sidekick plot to defeat Abby, her aunt Jenny and their motley crew of animals - except that while Abby is genuinely talented and loves the animals, Ms Kittenbridge uses terrible methods to tame them and obey her commands. Fred (Duke) and his coterie have to do everything in their power to show the world how mean Ms. Kittenbridge is while rescuing some of their friends. Makes for exciting reading. As always there are several messages for children which will make them better persons for example the importance of unity and family. Great reading.
392 reviews
February 28, 2023
my kids love these animal books

My kids love these books and all of Chris Grabenstein’s books. We love dogs and are excited to find out more about Dog Squad and Cat Crew in future books. It’s good to learn to work together and Fred learned that in this one. Fun book with a happy ending.
Profile Image for Brenda.
1,321 reviews
March 21, 2023
Audiobook

Once I remembered the first story, this was a great sequel. I loved the characters and their personalities. I also loved the cats! Hoping the series continues!
Profile Image for Becky.
6,207 reviews304 followers
January 4, 2023
First sentence: The diabolical villain known as Cattywampus has stepped in one too many piles of dog poop on the sidewalks of Paris. It has made his soul bitter. His shoes stinky.

Premise/plot: Fred (and company) are still busy being heroes on and off screen. In the first book, Fred took the role of 'Duke' over from the original Duke. In the second book, Fred and his dog friends are having to make friends with cats [among other animals]. The success of the show "Dog Squad" is faltering. An animal show starring seven seals is threatening to take over the top spot. That show is even getting ready to launch a spin-off. To stay on the air, they need more viewers...and a spin-off show of their own. A spin-off starring CATS. But there's plenty of drama off-screen as well. In fact most of the drama occurs off-screen. There's an evil animal trainer who has decided to destroy Dog Squad. Can Fred [and company] step up to reveal all and save their show before it's canceled.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the first book [which I reviewed in December, I believe] well enough. I did. I like to try on new series. I like to be able to recommend new series. But I don't always feel the personal need to keep up with each new series that I start. For me, as an adult, I don't see me going on past this second book in the series. I think kids may love, love, love the fact that this is a series book. The appeal may be in that it depicts both off-screen and on-screen drama. Half of the book focuses on the television show filming/acting and the other half focuses on their personal lives, friendships, and drama. 

There are plenty of characters--humans (trainers, owners, directors/producers, villains), dogs, cats, and occasionally another animal. (I believe there's a bird????) There is plenty of action. There is always something happening. 


Profile Image for Rachel.
570 reviews8 followers
November 20, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rounded up to 3.5 stars

Much like the first book in this series, this was a fun story reminiscent of kid friendly TV shows like Paw Patrol. I think the short chapters and quick pace will appeal to younger readers, likely opening up Grabenstein to a different fan base. I enjoyed the addition of cats, squirrels, and birds to the “crew”, as well as the underlying message of kindness to animals. Readers will also likely enjoy the pins and jokes throughout. I did think, however, that there were an awful lot of characters, and it was sometimes hard to keep track of which characters were what animal.

Overall, I think it is a cute second effort for this series, and will serve as a good springboard into Grabenstein’s more advanced books.
Profile Image for Anne.
1,909 reviews1 follower
September 30, 2023
I was surprised when I found this on the shelf. As I've mentioned before, I'm not a fan of animal stories but these are tolerable and I know these kinds of books really appeal to your kiddo's age. One thing I would mention is one of the cats insists she has been around for thousands of years and references being with Cleopatra etc. It's just a little confusing sometimes.

Found in L4M YT Volume 58.
Profile Image for Frances.
620 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2022
I'll have to admit that I did not like this as well as Dog Squad 1; but it is a cute tale of dogs and cats (and squirrels and birds and horses) working together to defeat the forces of evil.
469 reviews1 follower
December 20, 2024
I preferred the first book in the series.
Profile Image for Susan.
351 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2025
Fred and the cats are up against the evil Kitty Bitteridge. Will they be able to save everyone?
130 reviews
December 31, 2025
Really good. I love that the book showed that cats and dogs can sometimes get together. I actually also read his lemoncello graphic novel book 2 today also.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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