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Pet Trouble #1
Runaway Retriever
An exciting new series about those adorable pets that just won't behave--it's Marley & Me for middle-grade readers!
Parker hadn't considered getting a dog, but when playful Merlin, the golden retriever, comes into his life, Parker is thrilled. The two are inseparable from day one--because whenever Parker tries to leave, Merlin escapes his fence or cage and follows him! Can anything make this loveable dog sit and STAY?
Parker hadn't considered getting a dog, but when playful Merlin, the golden retriever, comes into his life, Parker is thrilled. The two are inseparable from day one--because whenever Parker tries to leave, Merlin escapes his fence or cage and follows him! Can anything make this loveable dog sit and STAY?
164 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2009
40 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
About the author
Tui T. Sutherland
153 books6,351 followersOkay, I know what you’re thinking. Tui? What kind of name is that? Is it short for something?
Nope. Among the many great things to come out of New Zealand (the Lord of the Rings movies, cats that paint, my mom) is a bird called the tui—not as well known as the kiwi, but a heck of a lot noisier!
I was born July 31 (same birthday as Harry Potter!) in Caracas, Venezuela, and lived in Asuncion, Paraguay; Miami, Florida; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, before moving to New Jersey in high school, where I started doing theatre—mostly backstage work, because (a) it was fun, and (b) you got to hang out in the dark with cute boys. (Er, I mean . . . because it was artistically fulfilling, yes.)
I graduated from Williams College in ’98 and I currently live in Boston with my husband, my perfect new baby, and my adorable yoodle Sunshine (what’s a yoodle? A puppy that’s three-quarters poodle and one-quarter Yorkshire terrier, of course!).
Much to my parents’ relief, I abandoned my theatrical aspirations after college for the far more stable and lucrative career of fiction writing.
My first two official books were beginning readers, part of Grosset & Dunlap’s “First Friends” series for kids learning to read. MEET MO AND ELLA is tough to find now, but FUN WITH MO AND ELLA should still be out there somewhere.
My first novel for teenagers was THIS MUST BE LOVE, which retells Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a modern-day high school, from the POV of the two heroines, Hermia and Helena.
And now I'm writing in a new project called SEEKERS! It's a children's book series that I'm writing with Erin Hunter. Check out my blog to find out more!
Nope. Among the many great things to come out of New Zealand (the Lord of the Rings movies, cats that paint, my mom) is a bird called the tui—not as well known as the kiwi, but a heck of a lot noisier!
I was born July 31 (same birthday as Harry Potter!) in Caracas, Venezuela, and lived in Asuncion, Paraguay; Miami, Florida; and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, before moving to New Jersey in high school, where I started doing theatre—mostly backstage work, because (a) it was fun, and (b) you got to hang out in the dark with cute boys. (Er, I mean . . . because it was artistically fulfilling, yes.)
I graduated from Williams College in ’98 and I currently live in Boston with my husband, my perfect new baby, and my adorable yoodle Sunshine (what’s a yoodle? A puppy that’s three-quarters poodle and one-quarter Yorkshire terrier, of course!).
Much to my parents’ relief, I abandoned my theatrical aspirations after college for the far more stable and lucrative career of fiction writing.
My first two official books were beginning readers, part of Grosset & Dunlap’s “First Friends” series for kids learning to read. MEET MO AND ELLA is tough to find now, but FUN WITH MO AND ELLA should still be out there somewhere.
My first novel for teenagers was THIS MUST BE LOVE, which retells Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream in a modern-day high school, from the POV of the two heroines, Hermia and Helena.
And now I'm writing in a new project called SEEKERS! It's a children's book series that I'm writing with Erin Hunter. Check out my blog to find out more!
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 30, 2012
If you love mystery's and you love to figure out stuff you would love this book!!! Find out about Parkers' new dog Merlyn and see if you have any idea's on how to help parker solve how his dog is an escape artist!!! READ THIS BOOK!!!
September 5, 2009
Parker and his older sister lived with their dad. Since she was leaving for college, his sister thought a dog would be just the thing to keep the guys from getting lonely. It didn't take long for Parker to discover that Merlin was more than a cheerful, energetic golden retriever -- he was an escape artist! The baby gate in the kitchen was easy to conquer -- he just jumped over it. But then he learned how to release the latch on the back yard gate, and even figured out how to escape from doggie day care!
The assistant principal is upset because every time Merlin escapes, he comes running to school to find Parker, and a cheerful, tail-wagging golden dog is just the thing to disrupt all the students. How can Parker teach his dog to stay?
This is the first in a series of delightful dog books for middle-graders. Some are more girlie stories than others -- see my reviews. (Loudest Beagle On The Block (Pet Trouble), Mud-Puddle Poodle (Pet Trouble),Bulldog Won't Budge (Pet Trouble))
Kids with or without dogs of their own will love Merlin's escapades. The themes of friendship and family support are also positives. Recommended for boys or girls ages 9-12.
The assistant principal is upset because every time Merlin escapes, he comes running to school to find Parker, and a cheerful, tail-wagging golden dog is just the thing to disrupt all the students. How can Parker teach his dog to stay?
This is the first in a series of delightful dog books for middle-graders. Some are more girlie stories than others -- see my reviews. (Loudest Beagle On The Block (Pet Trouble), Mud-Puddle Poodle (Pet Trouble),Bulldog Won't Budge (Pet Trouble))
Kids with or without dogs of their own will love Merlin's escapades. The themes of friendship and family support are also positives. Recommended for boys or girls ages 9-12.
September 14, 2012
This is an excellent book. It is about a boy named Parker who gets a dog as a present from his sister since she is going to collage, and she doesn't want Parker to get lonely while she is away. The problem is that the dog, whose name is Merlin, always follows Parker where ever he goes. Merlin makes Parker late for the first day of school, and gets him in trouble. Parker has to figure out a way to keep Merlin contained. This book is extremely funny, and I would recommend this book to people who like dogs, and who are ages maybe 9 and up. Both boys and girls should enjoy this book!!!
January 4, 2015
This was a good book! I liked how this is a realistic story. I also think this is a good series, I enjoyed the book Mud-puddle poodle from the series. I also enjoy this book because the dog is the one who brings the family together. This is a good book for anyone who likes stories about dogs, realistic fiction, or a funny story about a dog.
January 12, 2015
These are the best books for 4-5th graders
Read
March 27, 2018Really good, first one I read. I got hooked onto it and didn't want to stop reading it!
October 8, 2019
A family gets a new dog which leads to a lot of adventure and unexpected occurrences for Parker, a middle school student, and his other family members. These adventures effect Parker's family life and his life at school. The dog, Merlin, is full of energy and enthusiasm. Parker learns about responsibility as he does his best to take care of his dog. The story emphasizes personal growth, and shows how a family and dog can adjust to one another. Both the dog and the family develop an attachment to each other, which I suppose is what happens in many situations between families and pets. In this sense, the story is something that many can relate to. The story is good for middle school students, but can also be read to other students of different ages. Parker grows as a person. He is a different and better person by the end of the story. I read the book to my students.
October 31, 2019
Parker's big sister is going away to college, and she gets him a dog to keep him and their dad company while she's gone. The adorable golden retriever is an escape artist, though. Merlin can get through any door or jump any fence, and his escapes are ruining Parker's life. How will they live with their new family member?
This is a fun children's story I read with my nine-year-old son. We both found it fun and a good lesson learned. Merlin's antics are cute. The dog sure loves his boy and the boy his dog!
This is a fun children's story I read with my nine-year-old son. We both found it fun and a good lesson learned. Merlin's antics are cute. The dog sure loves his boy and the boy his dog!
April 7, 2022
Fun with good character development, including for the dog! This book also includes expansive vocabulary for young readers. I read this book aloud to my 8-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son. They both enjoyed it. I would guess reading level is around 4-5th grades and up, for kids who read it themselves. I plan to check out more Pet Trouble books to read to my kids
November 14, 2019
If you like dogs I am pretty sure you would like this book! This book is heart warming and funny. It shows a puppy’s love for its owner. If you like realistic fiction you should totally read this!!!😝😝😝
July 2, 2018
A very nice read about a retriever who can get out of any enclosure to be with his favorite little boy.
July 21, 2018
I read this book with my 10 year old daughter. We both found it engaging. I thought it was a bit much how Merlin was able to escape from everyone and everywhere, but it was interesting and fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2020
If you have a golden retriever, then this book is for you.
Read
October 5, 2020Awesome 👏 great book and would reread millions times
Good book and way its written engages the reader
Good book and way its written engages the reader
May 2, 2023
a great book
May 10, 2020
Loved this book
April 15, 2013
I think this is a really good book because it has a lot of details and action. It is about a dog named Merlin which is an escape artist. He is a normal dog for the most part because he has a lot of energy for walks, and playing catch. But no fence is too high, no cage too strong to keep him from following Parker everywhere he goes.
READ THIS BOOK!!!!
READ THIS BOOK!!!!
March 29, 2023
This book was very exciting. It is about a kid named Parker and his dog, and how his dog keeps running away. It is amazing, all the different ways the dog escapes. This is a series. And I read one other one, Bulldog Won't Budge. And I am going to read the other two.
May 17, 2010
runaway retriever
February 1, 2013
This book is very, very, cute. Now, I want to read the rest of the series. This author is VERY creative. Reviewed by, Jo
March 8, 2014
How do u read the books
September 5, 2014
Such a cute story.
June 4, 2015
Cute read for the young. But in my opinion, cute read for all ages.
Want to read
January 4, 2018I love the season please
Read
October 9, 2017Amazing
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews