Boys Are Dogs

Annabelle Unleashed #1

by Leslie Margolis

"middle school boys act like wind animals" that's what Annabelle discovers on the first day of her brand-new life.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Contemporary, Humor, Young Adult

196 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2008

About the author

Leslie Margolis is author of numerous books for children, including the Maggie Brooklyn Mysteries and the Annabelle Unleashed series. Her novel, Boys Are Dogs, was turned into the Disney Channel movie Zapped, starring Zendaya. Leslie’s most recent books, If I Were You, We Are Party People and Ghosted, are published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Leslie lives in Los Angeles with her family. Her two kids have read some of her books, and think they are okay. For more information, please visit www.lesliemargolis.com.

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this in the thrift store for 20 cents I almost had a little accident on the floor.

The title is just too true and generally, the men that they grow up to be are dogs as well.

Still, for the price this was worth the investment, and at just under 200 pages is a very quick read with some amusing perspectives.

Told by a pre-teen girl this book is primarily aimed at those that are not estregenally challenged like myself, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this. The main character, Annabelle, goes through a few key changes. Mom is dating Ted and they move in together so Annabelle has a new father figure. Annabelle and Mom move 30 miles away so Annabelle must start at a new middle school. Annabelle must make new friends. Annabelle faces a lot of bullying at her school. And Annabelle gets a new dog.

There's a lot going on here but the strongest part of this book was the parallel between Annabelle's dog training and how she dealt with bullying at her new school. I thought this was what made the book different -- the fact that the bullying was very realistic and the character actually found a way to overcome it. This is definitely something I'll be recommending to my sixth graders, as I know a lot of them deal with these types of issues.

[Bev · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fourth grader REALLY wanted me to get this for my library, so I am reading it to see if it is too mature or not.

UPDATE: I think this book is perfect for the 4th-5th grade crowd (of girls; I'm not sure if boys would like it). The premise of the book is that boys with bad behavior can be "trained" like new puppies, and it's all practical advice on how to handle anyone with whom a person might be having difficulty. I got a big kick out of the story. It's not too mature at all, and I am going to recommend it to my students.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sorry guys, this book’s probably not for you. It’s pretty much a girl book. :) And what a girl book it is!

Annabelle life is in upheaval. It’s summer between 5th and 6th grade. Annabelle and her Mom are moving about an hour away from their North Hollywood (CA) apartment so that Annabelle’s Mom and her Mom’s new boyfriend, Ted Weeble (Annabelle calls him “Dweeble”) can live together. Annabelle has to start 6th grade in a new school. She’s always gone to an all-girls Catholic school where they all had to wear uniforms. Now, not only will there be boys at school, but she also will have to figure out what she’s going to wear to school every day!

Annabelle says good-bye to her best friends when her Mom picks her up from summer camp. When they arrive at their new home, her Mom tells her there is a surprise waiting for her. Annabelle quickly looks to see if there’s a new basketball hoop. That would be so cool. But, there’s not. When she gets inside, she see’s a giant ball of fur running towards her. Her Mom and Dweeble bought her a puppy! She’s excited, but there is no way she is going to let them know that.

As she begins to train her puppy, she starts using the same techniques on some of the boys she is meeting at school. She’s getting amazing results-not just with her puppy, but with handling the boys as well.

Boys Are Dogs is laugh-out-loud funny. Enjoy!

[Reading Vacation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boys Are Dogs is a really cute book with an entertaining plot. Annabelle and her mother have just moved in with her mother’s boyfriend. His name is Ted, but Annabelle calls him Dweeble. They give Annabelle a puppy to help her deal with all the changes. The puppy comes complete with a training manual that becomes a key part of the plot.

One of the big changes for Annabelle is her school. She starts sixth grade at a co-ed middle school and realizes just how immature the boys can be. I mean no disrespect to tween boys when I say this, but they can be pretty annoying to us girls sometimes. The boys in this book kick Annabelle’s chair, call her a spaz, and generally act like clowns.

Annabelle decides that she will train the boys by using her puppy training manual. She even crosses out the word “dogs” and changes it to “boys.” Annabelle uses techniques like “make eye contact” when she trains the boys. These scenes are hilarious and they kept me laughing. I can totally imagine training the boys at school with these techniques!

Leslie Margolis captures the spirit of being a tween in this fun book. Watch for my review of the follow up book, Girls Acting Catty.

RATING

4 Liked

COVER COMMENTS

Bright colors and a catchy title make for a great middle grade cover. It’s perfect!

[Jennahua2000 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now Annabelle is at her friend Rachel's birthday party with Rachel,Yumi,Emma,and Claire when Annabelle heard somthing loud she moved away then it was Jackson her friend Rachel's brother jumped in the pool,all girls got wet.Annabelle got really angry she said"why can't leave us alone we were having a great time before you showed up acting like this crazy out of control dog!!!!" Jack son looked at her like he didn't know what she was talking about.He said"what did you just call me???" "A DOG!!!" Annabelle said.with out aruguing Jackson left the pool without making a sound. Annabelle thought has she gone to far she thought Rachel was mad she called her brother a dog. "she said sorry" you kidding" said Rachel that was incredible then she went back home after and saw Dweeble(Ted his real name actually mom's boy friend) playing basket ball she was woundering why he was because they never got a hoop but then Dweeble said"hi Annabelle your wondering why this hoop is here, because we had it all along it was in the garage all day!!all I had to do was fix it and put it on!!!!" Annabelle was suprized looks like she got along with Dweeble all right.

by Jenna Hua P.S183

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Hey Spazabelle,” Annabelle turned her head and saw the boy who was teasing her. She wished that she could train boys the way she trained her dog, Pepper. Or could she. In the book Boys Are Dogs, by Leslie Margolis, Annabell is trying to train her puppy and boys. Annabelle had just moved from all of her old friends and has to start at a public school. Her old friends think that it would be super cool, but Annabelle is about ready to move back to her old school. But her mom and her mom’s boyfriend won't let her. So she has to stay in her new house with her new friends.
I like the book because it shows that even though life may hard you can get through it. In the book it talks about how Annabelle doesn’t get along with people great, but then she starts to talk to people more. I don’t like it all though. In the book it says that boys are dogs. But they aren’t. To some they might be, but to me they just aren’t.
The theme of the book would be that you can always change. No matter what.

[Spencer · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020
A very cute story about growing up. I love how Annabelle learns about becoming a better teenager the same way her puppy learns about being a better dog. And I love how she compares boys to dogs! Every woman has felt that at least once in her life!

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's pretty good how she uses the techniques used in a dog training book to train the boys. i think some of it is practical, don't mind to experiment it in real life.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The theme of this book is don't judge people if you don't know who they actually are like don't judge a book by its cover. If you don't know the person or never have met them before then you can't make a judgement about them. Annabelle didn't know what it was like to go to school with boys in the end she figured out they are not so bad.

[Olivia Walion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because I'm not a big fan of reading but when I started this book I couldn't stop and was really sad when it was over.

[Autumn Skowrenski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Autumn Skowrenski
Boys are dogs
Genre: Comedy and Humor

It used to just be Annabelle and her mom. Now Annabelle's mom has a new boyfriend and they are going to move in with him. Annabelle has to take a big step and join Birchwood Middle School instead of her old school which was an all girls school. And Annabelle is not very happy about it. So, to try and make up for the moving, Annabelle's mom and Ted decide to surprise Annabelle with a puppy. At first Annabelle isn't too happy with the bribe but she can't deny he is absolutely adorable. She decides to call the puppy Pepper. Her mom gives her a book about the basics of puppy training along with the pup. Meanwhile, at school the boys are absolutely insane. Much like dogs running around. Annabelle does not know how to handle them. Until she does some experimenting. Annabelle soon realizes that the boys are just like her dog Pepper(in some ways.) Annabelle's dog training book actually works on the boys at school!

This book was very comical and I could relate to it very well. I think others would like it and relate to it too! A book similar to this would be Girls Acting Catty. This is also by the same author and I loved it just as much.

btw guys this is kinda a girl's book. But if you're into chick stuff like this then go ahead.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's cute. That's the first thing that pops into my head.

When Annabelle's mother decides to move in with her new boyfriend, Annabelle's prepared for everything to change - her home, her school, her friends. What she's not prepared for is the puppy her mother's boyfriend chooses for her - or the fact that for the first time, she's going to a co-ed school.

Fortunately for her, she soon learns that the dog-training manual works equally well on obnoxious boys.

Some seriously cute scenes in here - especially when Annabelle strikes through "dog" on every page of the manual and replaces it with "boy" to see if it will make sense. Frighteningly enough, it does more than not.

A definite bookfair pick for this year for girls 8 and up. Even the older ones will get a laugh out of it.

[2017claudiag · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book "Boys are Dogs" by Lesie Margolis is about a young girl named Annable who is coming from an all girls school to co-ed middle school. Annable and her mom move in with her mom's boyfriend who Annable has nicknamed, Dweeble. Once she gets a dog and reads the book on training she realizes that boys are much alike dogs, she then uses dog training tricks on boys.

It is nonfiction and makes you realize that it really could happen to anyone but you just have to be extra clever. I think it might be a good book for people who fell like they are going through the same thing, it could make them realize their not the only one who struggles while moving to a different school.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixth grade Annabelle just moved into a new house with her mom and her mom's boyfriend Ted Weeble. Annabelle creates a secret nickname for Ted, Dweeble, which is very fitting with his dorky running shorts and nerdy music. New house equals a new school, and her new middle school is filled with pesky boys that take great pleasure in teasing and tormenting Annabelle. Mom and Ted surprise Annabelle with a new puppy, hoping the distraction will help her adjust. Annabelle soon discovers that boys and dogs have a lot in common, and dog training is coming in very useful for putting boys in their place! This is a funny read, Annabelle is super clever and confident. Good for 4th-7th grades.

[kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annabelle is a good character. First, she is starting middle school so she gives out pretty good tips about it. Second, she moves from an all-girls school to a school with both boys and girls so she realizes how boys act(she is an only child). And lastly, because she gets a dog she has to train him. And when she starts learning the dog tricks she realizes that the tips in the book work on the boys at Birchwood Middle School. So over about a month she has learned how to tame the wild boys at Birchwood Middle School and has never had trouble with them again.

[Madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about how the main character deals with boys bugging her around. This writer isn't that great. She's pretty robotic and her writing is just boring because she is telling us the characters entire day. Even the stuff I don't care about. For example she is telling us her thought process through what she wears every single day. And it has nothing to do with the book. Quite frankly, I think that the author is just trying to fill up pages.

[Ketevan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would give this piece of crap zero stars if it was possible. First I am so embarrassed I even read the book in 5th grade. Stupidest thing I have ever read. It's so retarded it makes Twilight look like Dostoevsky's work. That should tell you just how pointless reading this book is. I learned Absolutely nothing other than obvious facts. God I was a stupid child.

[Megan G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It gives you so many tips for so many things. Tips like how to deal with crazy mean boys, how to train puppies and how you should stand up for your self. I love reading books where the kids are set at my age. Again this is a awesome book and can't wait to read girls getting catish I'm pretty shore that's what is called:)

[Julie Bristol Colwell · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is appalling that a book with this title makes it to publication. If you replace the word "boys" with any other demographic, you'd get clobbered with lawsuits, but because it's "boys" this one goes unchecked to scholastic book fairs all over the country. A sad indication of the collective opinion on boys today. Leslie Margolis, you should be ashamed of yourself for this title.

[Delaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know EXACTLY what Annabelle is going through. I feel her pain. Except for the fact that I have to bring a dog home at the end if the school day. I have a 7 year old brother. I have to clean up after him and my dog Josey. She has it better than I do. Good luck Annabelle!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a funny yet true book!!!!!

[Leila Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book because it talks about girls having to deal with boys and how their always annoying them and I can relate to it.

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

this is a good book so far!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I choose this book called Boys are dogs. The book was funny, interesting, and based on middle school boys. The point of view of the main character is based on a girl’s view in 6th grade. This book is the first by this author. The sequel of this book is called Girls are Chatty Catties. After all it was amazing on what the author draws in your head.

If you are a gentleman and you get offended easily I would not read this book. The boys in this book has a very negative viewpoints. Some of the moments are do go slow but when the parts come it gets pretty good. Some of the pictures in someone’s head might get a little sticky. Some parts are not very interesting but it’s very funny. Lastly, end of the book was very great so if you’re a gentleman there are some spots in the book aren’t very offending you. Furthermore, the book was pretty cool in those spots that were very slow.

Annabelle the main character is very good at understanding her point of view. This book is very full hearted because people can understand the points of the book. It’s also a very fresh start when you move. Sometimes, it’s hard to leave where you were at before you move. It’s fun at some points in the book. Boys are dogs do give girls empower but it also gives girls sense of what we can do. Girls sometimes are more empowered than boys, but other times it’s the boys who are more empowered.

My favorite character is Annabelle because she is pretty funny throughout the book. Also, Annabelle sticks up for her friends and for herself. Next, Annabelle has a lot of courage for standing up to upperclassman who are being jerks. She doesn’t like when the boys start most of the problems throughout the book. Furthermore, she tried to ignore it when a boys sat behind her keeps kicking her seat. That’s one more reason why I like this book.

As you can tell I am giving a glowing recommendation because it’s a funny book. Also, if you like america's got talent it’s pretty funny so you may like this book. Some other books you might like is solving zoe, and girls are chatty cathies because it another book that this author wrote. If you see the movie, remember the titans it’s a good movie. The movie is pretty funny at some parts just like this book. That’s why you might want to read this book or others by this author.

[Riess Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choice book 3 quarter 3




Boys are Dogs is written by Leslie Margolis. It is a Realistic Fiction book. This book takes place in North Hollywood.
Annabelle is the main character in the book. She likes a lot of things but she doesn't like summer camp. She just got back from summer camp only to find a new dog that her mom and her moms boyfriend got for her. She at first didn't want to like the dog but she really did like the dog. Her mom also got her a book on how to train the dog. When she got the dog she took it outside and walked behind the house and played with it in secret so no one knew. I think she is a dynamic character because at first she didn't like the idea of having a dog but once she knew the dog she liked it alot.
I think the book is person vs. society 1. She recently moved and not everyone knew who she was and they stayed away from her until one of the most popular girls in her new school met her and a lot of people started talking to her. 2. Her friend's brother started making fun of her and saying that she was weird and crazy and that she didn't fit in there. 3. She didn't really like the new school but was forced to go and she had to work more than all the other kids in the school because she missed half the year and needed to get caught up.
I think the author believes that once you get to know people the new place you're in will be all fine.
She moved to the new town and had no friends but once she was there for like a week people started to get to know her and become friends with her because she had now friends in her new town.
Her dog was her only friend for a week and then she met her neighbor and then things started to work out for her in her new town.
Even though she didn't know anyone she was determined to meet people and have friends.
I rate this book a 5 out of 10 because there was nothing in the book that made her feel like boys are dogs and there was only one boy in the book. I feel like this book is not complete because it started in her new house and i feel like it would have been better if it was started in her old house not the new one.

[Parnialalani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choice book#3 Quarter 1
Boys are dogs wrtten by Leslie Margolis is a realistic fiction book which takes place at Birchwood Middle School,and at Anabelle's home.The book follows a sixth grader named Anabelle as she joins in a middle school called Birchwood and struggles with the boys in the middle school,because the boys tease anabelle by calling her spaz or spazabelle, run in the halls,and steal anabelle's stuff.Also,Anabelle has a problem with her dog pepper,because her dog hogs around the house,and when pepper chews on something,anabelle tells him to stop, but he won't listen and continues to chew on that thing.So anabelle thinks that the boys at her middle school were acting like her dog pepper.I like this book,because it talks about how anabelle deals with boys in her middle school by using her dog training stuff she used on her dog, and making boys being nice to her.If i have been the author, I would include anabelle being suspended from the school,because in the book Ghost, Ghost got suspended by fighting Brandon,so if anabelle fights Erik and Tony when they took her report,then she will be suspended like Ghost.My favorite part of the book is when anabelle was invited to Rachel's birthday party and anabelle fought Jackson for ruining Rachel's birthday party,because it talks about that jackson was doing mean things to rachel,anabelle,and rachel's other friends,and how anabelle,rachel,and rachel's friends fought jackson and his friends.

[Jackson Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choice book #1 quarter 3

Boys are Dogs is by Leslie Margolis and is a realistic fiction book.

Boys are dogs takes place in Annabelle's house and in Birchwood middle school.

The main character is Annabelle. Annabelle is in 6th grade and she just moved to a new middle school, Birchwood middle school. She is really nice to people especially her new puppy name pepper. She meets new friends and also makes new enemies. She is a dynamic character because at the start she doesn’t like her new school but by the end she likes it.

The main conflict in the book is that all the boys at Annabelle’s new school are mean and rude to her. That is person vs person because the boys are being mean to her.

One theme statement could be give people a chance. One reason is boys are mean to her and they give her a chance and shes actually nice. She gets a new dog when she doesn’t want one but then she loves her dog. Jackson is mean to everyone but then he changes and is actually nice.

I liked this book because it was realistic and because there was a good ending. My favorite part of the book is when Rachel has her birthday party. The book felt complete because Annabelle and Jackson have both changed. I have read lots of books about new schools and people being mean but this one was better than most. If I was the author I would not of changed anything.

[Kurt Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book presents real-world problems and offers possible real-world solutions. I see Annabelle facing several problems: (1) moving to a new home (gaining new friends / losing old ones), (2) living with a new parental figure (where she never had a male figure before), (3) moving to a new school, (4) dealing with several bullies (5) training a new puppy. I found the main character Annabelle to be a positive role model, and not in a superhero sense, but someone in which the teen girls reading could realistically aspire to become.

I thought the solutions were realistic for this age group, and the comparison (per the title) to dogs seems appropriate. However, in real life, I doubt the solutions would work, or work as easily or succinctly as in this book. But, Annabelle finds her voice. Hopefully the girls reading this will find their voices, too.

Not being a 6th grade girl, I cannot say whether they find it as slow paced as I did, or more interesting. I think some things are dated (cordless phone, Meatloaf / Red Hot Chili Peppers), but not overly so. 3.5/4 bumped up because of the positive role model.

As per my shelving, while I would not call a 6th grader a Young Adult, but I wouldn't think of them as children either (as in Winnie the Pooh - age). This book is somewhere in between.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Annabelle goes to summer camp with two of her best friends from school and the boys completely ruin camp prom. When the camp come to an end her mother picks her up and takes her to their new place. Her mother has moved from their apartment to her boyfriends house and Annabelle doesn't like the new transition. Annabelle has to go to a new school and every boy she runs into is very rude to her from telling her the wrong classroom, kicking the back of her chair, or calling her the wrong name on purpose. She makes a couple new friends the main one being Rachel who lives directly across the street from her now. Annabelle gets a surprise when she gets home and it turns out to be a new puppy and she calls it Stripes for the time being. Her mother also got her a book on how to train her new dog. Annabelle starts right away on reading it and finds out that the same hacks could also be used on boys. Annabelle starts talking more stern and confident to the boys and she gets them to act better around her. She starts to stand her ground and not let them scare her. Rachels throughs a birthday party at her house and her older brother Jackson ends up showing up and splashes them when he jumps into the pool. Annabelle has had enough and stands up to Jackson and calls him a dog which doesn't sit well with Jackson so he leaves. Her mom boyfriends goes to Switzerland to visit his sons dn when he comes back he puts up a basketball hoop for Annabelle to play with. Annabelle starts to see that things do get better with time. {I don't know why her "old" friends were so obsessed with boys and it almost seemed like Jackson and Annabelle might like each other? it seemed like she was bullied and was the only one that was being picked on but she never told anyone about what was happening and when she tried to tell her English teacher he just brushed her off. I also really didn't like that he dropped her a whole grade cause the boys ripped her essay that left me very uneasy...}