One-Third Nerd

by Gennifer Choldenko, Églantine Ceulemans (Illustrations)

Ten-year-old Liam and his two younger sisters, precocious third-grader Dakota and second-grader Izzy, who has Down syndrome, face the possibility of losing their beloved dog, Cupcake, who keeps urinating on their apartment's carpet.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Family, Humor, Childrens, Friendship

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 29, 2019

About the author

There’s a Lego in my bum which fits with the Lego in my chair and when I sit down to write, I hear the satisfying snap of the two pieces fitting together. I love words, dictionaries, thesauruses, sharp pencils, the smell of book ink and the delicious art of carving out sentences on clean white paper. I love to slip into another person’s skin and feel what it’s like to live another life. I love when characters come to me out of nowhere and make me cry so hard my mascara runs or laugh until my stomach hurts. I love the crazy fun and infinite possibility of storytelling.

What prepared me for a life of writing fiction? Though I have a BA from Brandeis University in English and American Literature and a BFA in illustration from Rhode Island School of Design, the true answer is probably genes. I come from a long line of Irish storytellers on my father’s side and theatre people on my mother’s. I always knew I loved to write, but it took me a long time to summon the courage to chase the dream. I finally went for it when I realized I would prefer to be a failure at something I wanted to do, then a success at something I didn’t.

While I was pretending I wasn’t a writer, trying to be a nice person with a nice quiet job somewhere, I sold lingerie, lipstick and lamp shades. I wrote junk mail. I taught visually and hearing-impaired kids horseback riding. I held a prestigious job in rubbish removal and I worked in a factory wearing a paper gown while wielding a large mallet on small serving packages of ketchup.

One Third Nerd, my funniest novel yet, is due out in January 2019. My most famous novel, Al Capone Does My Shirts, garnered 20 awards, one of which was the Newbery Honor. The Tales of Alcatraz series has sold more than 2 million copies. What will probably be the last book in the series: Al Capone Throws Me a Curve is the best of the fifteen books I’ve written so far.

I am a fitness fanatic; a book-obsessed, tennis-playing woman who thinks like a twelve-year-old. If I ever get the good fortune to meet you, offer me coffee and I will be your friend for life.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sister with Downs Syndrome saves the day and the family dog!Liam's family's dog Cupcake has a bathroom issue and they can't afford any more vet costs. The landlord is threatening eviction if they do not get rid of her. Can Liam and his two younger sisters, Dakota and Izzy come up with a solution by raising money to cover vet costs or solve Cupcake's problem on their own?
Give this one to the dog lovers. You'll be rooting for more Liam and company to find a way to save Cupcake and their pending eviction.

[Jess at Such a Novel Idea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book via the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my review in any way.

Check out the rest of the review at Such a Novel Idea.

For me, there was a very specific reason I picked this book up, beyond the fact that it just sounded really cute. My life, or more specifically, the life of my daughter, is painfully similar to Liam. Like Liam, my daughter is the same age (although because of her late year birthday, she is in fourth, not fifth grade. She also has two siblings, one of whom has special needs (autism, rather than downs syndrome), her parents have split up, and she even has a cat that likes to pee on laundry when the litter box isn’t emptied quick enough. All, in all, there were some great reasons for me to jump into this one and see if it was something to pass along to her.

And indeed it was. This book really felt like it touched on the day-to-day life and issues that an older elementary school student would face. All the things I mentioned above are typical of MANY families, and I didn’t even bring up the idea of money issues, which so many kids (mine included) can be painfully aware of. Liam’s life was complicated in a way that kids will understand – it isn’t some out-of-touch emotion that is too young or too old for the characters. The issues were something that kids will easily relate to and comprehend in a positive way. I definitely felt an emotional bond with Liam that I think kids will latch on to.

The book centers around Liam, Dakota (the “big personality” sibling who usually gets in trouble for it), and Izzy (the youngest with down syndrome). The book spends a great deal of time on their schemes to raise money, which I had to say reminded me of my schemes with my siblings as young children. It was just the right amount of trouble to solve throughout the pages.

The best part of the book, which I don’t get to see a lot of when I’m reading YA, was the added illustrations. It just added to the story in happy-making way. My heart was so happy each time I came up one.

So, I’ve passed this book on to my daughter and I definitely recommend it to your kids as well!

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interest Level: 3-6; Reading Level 5.8

Have you ever been embarrassed by your family and your home? Liam has! He lives in a run down apartment with his mom and two sisters.His third grad sister, Dakota, is a full blown nerd who loves science and has a hard time making friends. She is always doing things to get them in trouble with their landlord, like blowing up a watermelon in the hallway of the apartment building. His other sister, Izzy, has Down Syndrome and she has no trouble making friends because she hugs everyone, even their cranky landlord, Mr. Torpse. And then there is their German Shepard, Cupcake, who they all loves dearly. The problem is, Cupcake is having trouble using the bathroom in the apartment and Mr. Torpse has told them if they don't get rid of Cupcake then they will be evicted. The only solution the vet has given them is to take Cupcake to a very expensive vet for testing. Liam, Dakota, and Izzy take it on themselves to do whatever it takes to raise the money to save Cupcake. Liam has a lot on him with school and tennis, thank goodness for his best friend, Dodge. But when a new kid comes to school and he comes from a rich family, will Liam even give the friendship a chance, or will he be too embarrassed because of where he lives? More importantly, will they be able to raise the money in the short time they are given before they have to give Cupcake away? Read this precious story of family, friendship, and the perseverance it takes to try to save a four-legged family member. Don't miss this one!
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[Steph · Rating 3 out of 5]

Izzy was my fave. :-)

[Nicole M. Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction

One-Third Nerd is a heartwarming middle grade story about a typically atypical family just trying to get by. I say typically atypical because, let’s face it, in today’s world very few families fit the standard nuclear family mold. Liam’s parents are divorced and they struggle financially. His youngest sister has Down’s Syndrome and his other little sis is brilliant (but maybe a bit of a handful). I think that Chodenko captured the family dynamic well. None of them are perfect, but they love each other and they’re doing their best.

Liam is sometimes self-conscious about his apartment and his brainy sister’s antics (she’s 100% nerd—perfect for her, but not great as far as Liam’s concerned). He’s especially concerned about how he looks to the new kid, Moses, who he thinks has it all together (especially since Moses is a superstar at tennis, Liam’s sport). To top everything off, the family dog is sick and has been peeing all over the house, and the landlord says they have to solve the problem or get rid of their beloved pet. Liam’s little sister isn’t about to let that happen so she puts her brain power toward saving her. Along the way, Liam starts to see his sister in a new light (at least a little) and he learns that maybe he doesn’t have to try to impress Moses—he’s just a kid looking for a friend. This is the type of middle grade where everything is tied up in a neat little bow, which might feel trite to some adult readers, but will probably go over well with the younger middle graders the book was written for. Overall, it’s a sweet story that will teach kids about the power of family, friendships, and not giving up.

***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley and Rockstar Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***

[Cris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam is in fifth grade. He lives with his mom, his dog Cupcake and his two sisters. Izzy is in first grade and has Down syndrome. Dakota is in third grade and I personally can’t decide if she’s on the spectrum, or as the description states “precocious”. Dakota is smart and loves school, especially science! She has a tendency to focus on one topic and that’s it. Liam, seems to be more of his moms and his dads friend, to me, when it’s convenient to them, to help assist in raising his sisters. I wonder how many parents do this and don’t realize it?

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A big adventure about a dog named Cupcake.

[Teresa Grabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liam, Dakota, and Izzy live in a basement apartment with their mother and dog, Cupcake. Liam's friend, Dodge, is a staple in their house and soon Liam's new friend, Moses, joins the crew. Cupcake develops medical issues and needs to see an expensive doctor at UC Davis, so the kids try to earn enough money for her.

The premise of the book sounds good and full of potential, but I just could not warm up to the characters. Liam is probably the most realistic character in the family. He is protective of his sister Izzy, who has down syndrome, wants to help his mom, and takes on the role of the "man of the house" after his parents divorce. Dakota is a science obsessed, inquisitive, demanding, and selfish character. She annoyed me from the first chapter. It is all about her, what she wants, and what she's going to do. The adults in the book, with the exception of Mr. Torpse, their landlord, just seem to let this eight-year-old rule the roost (so to speak).

Unfortunately, for me, it was a great idea, supported by wonderful illustrations, but crashed and burned because of the unbelievable characters.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Children's for the opportunity to review an advance reader copy.

[Oak Lawn Public Library - Youth Services · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: One Third Nerd

Author: Gennifer Choldenko

Lexile Level: 540L

Pages: 224

Recommendations & Comments: If you are looking for a book for a younger reader with a higher Lexile, checkout One-Third Nerd. The story is light and even though there are many problems that arise, the characters get through them and the ending is positive. There are also many talking points including a child who has down syndrome, a sick pet, a low-income household, and parents who are separated. It's a fun book with kid shenanigans where everyone is trying their best. As an audiobook, the sentence structure is short and chapters hop around to all the different intertwining storylines. A good general read for kids who don't know what to read.

Reviewed By: Miss Emily

[GNRLibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a realistic story with heart; it's funny, at times a little sad, and very endearing. Liam is having a rough 5th grade year: he's adjusting to his parents' divorce and has to split his time between tennis (which is his passion) and taking care of his 2 younger sisters in their basement apartment. The family dog, Cupcake, has a problem with bathroom accidents, and their cranky landlord is threatening to evict them if the problem isn't solved. Can Liam and his smart but socially awkward 3rd grade sister and sweet 2nd grade sister with Down Syndrome work together to find a solution? Highly recommended for fans of realistic fiction, especially for those who enjoy Judy Blume and Beverly Clearly.

[Alex D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I located this book using the class Wakelet page titled, “Awards for Children’s and YA Literature By State.” It was included on the 2018 list of Bluestem Winner for Illinois Grades 3-5 Readers’ Choice Award. I listened to the audiobook version from my public library on Libby because I find this format engaging. Overall, the narrator changed the character’s voices effectively, but the pacing of the book was slow. Since this book was read with an audiobook and the intended audience is middle readers, there were no illustrations.

One-Third Nerd is an easy and quick read about the Rose family. Liam is a 10-year-old boy who has blonde hair and blue eyes. He is a tennis player. He has two sisters named Dakota and Izzy. Dakota is a science-loving third-grader who shows difficulty understanding other people’s feelings and perspectives. This makes it hard for her to make friends. Izzy is a second-grader who has Down Syndrome and attends speech therapy services. The kids are a part of a divorced family where money is tight. They live with their mom in a basement apartment located in an unsafe area, while their dad lives close by and visits a lot. When the parents split, they welcomed a family dog named Cupcake. However, there is a problem! The German Shepard constantly pees in the house and the landlord makes it clear that the family is facing eviction. The parents consider getting rid of Cupcake if they cannot come up with a solution. The story follows the kids creatively working together to raise money to take Cupcake to the vet to save her!

For my taste, this book was unexciting but I think young readers in upper elementary to middle school would enjoy it. A strength is that it shows diversity of family make-ups and diversity of characters with special needs. As a reader who grew up in a divorced household, I could relate to the three kids. I also feel like the parents addressed Liam’s questions about the split with kid-friendly explanations. I would recommend completing the elements of fiction for this book in the classroom. Also, the story portrays a family who is facing a problem but cleverly works together to solve it. This would be an authentic true-life writing prompt for students in a fictional unit. A writing activity would help connect student learning across subject domains.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liam and his two sisters live with their mother, who recently separated from their father, in possibly Oakland, CA. Money is tight so their mother works constantly. Liam the oldest is often responsible for taking care of his 2 sisters. A big problem occurs when their dog Cupcake has difficulty controlling her bladder, which the landlord won't tolerate. This is a big issue for their family who can't afford to move. His sisters, the youngest one Dakota has special needs, and his other sister Izzy loves science and is brilliant yet self absorbed, both need lots of support. Liam has a lot to handle with his loving family, and naughty dog. There is much to admire in this realistic tale, absorbing how through all of the obstacles, this struggling family and community show resilience and love, when life gets overwhelming. Highly recomended.

[Stephanie Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but I was stressed the whole time about the dang dog! Honestly, I had to peek at the final picture to be able to finish the book.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

208 pgs. This is a funny, realistic kind of book. The main character is a boy named Liam who is in the fifth grade. He has two younger sisters who are always getting into things and can create trouble. When the family dog, Cupcake, receives a bad report from the vet, the kids try to find a way to raise money to help with the expensive operation. If Cupcake can't get the operation, the landlord is going to throw them out due to continued doggie damages. This book is definitely fun for boys and girls may like it, too. There is a special needs child featured which makes it especially touching and helps to show how a real family would operate in such a situation. It is very inspiring toward the end. I would highly recommend it to Grade 5 readers.

[Mehsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from the publisher/tour host in exchange of an honest review.

I was so very excited when I got the confirmation that I was accepted for the tour and was scheduled for a review/excerpt. This book has been on my Eep-2019 for some time, so you may just imagine my delight (yes, I was bookshimmying).

Oh, and then I opened the ecopy and found out that this author also wrote the Al Capone series, I read two in that series and liked them both. So my excitement was upped even further. Now I really couldn't wait to read this book.

And this book was such a fun one! Liam, the big brother, Izzy, his little sister who has Down Syndrome, Cupcake the Dog who has a problem, their divorced parents who try to take care of them. OH yes, Dakota. We don't talk about Dakota. This is a positive area, an area of happiness and joy. Dakota doesn't fit in there. But, yes, she sadly exists and was the reason why this book isn't a 5 stars, but instead a 4.

I just adored Izzy, she was a sweetie and I loved how while she didn't always have the words, she always was there with hugs and love. She was just one big positive bundle of joy. She even hugged the angry neighbour next door, and she did things that other characters wouldn't have done but that were absolutely the sweetest. She even helped out her siblings when they needed help, it was adorable how she tried to explain what she meant, and how eventually they understood.

Liam was just the best, though I did feel sorry for him at times. He didn't have an easy life at times, which was mostly to blame to a certain person we aren't going to name in this positive space. I loved how he allowed Izzy to be part of the club just because she got all sparkly at seeing that beautiful pink bracelet, and how he sat down with her to explain things to her in a soft way so that she wouldn't be too upset. He also helped out with the club of kids like Izzy. Making up a song, including all of them, being so sweet and understanding. He brought a smile to me at so many moments in the book.
I hope he can be a bit more honest about where he lives though. That was also something that was mentioned quite a few times. He has made a new friend, but he is afraid that person would judge him if he saw his house. I did love the friendship between him, his old friend, and his new friend. They made quite the trio.

Then there is Cupcake. An adorable dog with a big problem... She is peeing everywhere. Is there something big happening or is it the medicines she uses? Sadly, our characters don't have the money to go to the vet any more. I found the prices ridiculous. Who the hell can pay 3k for a treatment? I know I never would be able to do that.
So most of this book is Liam, Izzy, and She-who-will-not-be-named, try to make money in various ways to help out their dog. Most of the ideas were just dumb, but there were a few that made me happy. I could have thought of a few more ideas of things they could have done. Like doing groceries for those less-abled/eldery, selling cupcakes/lemonade, making things and selling those.

There are also many many illustrations that warmed up my heart even further. Then again, Églantine Ceulemans is one of my favourite illustrators, she draws so well.

All in all, I loved this book, and I would recommend it. Just ignore the one we shall not name in this positive and happy place.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The award-winning author of the Al Capone series returns with a book for younger children. Liam is a fifth grader whose life has gotten complicated. He lives with his mother and two younger sisters in a basement apartment near San Francisco. Fifth grade isn’t the same as younger grades and Liam is concerned with appearing to not be as poor as his family actually is. Even worse, their dog, Cupcake, has started having a peeing problem and they don’t have the money to get her special tests done. Meanwhile, Dakota, one of Liam’s sisters is trying to make enough money to save Cupcake, since if she doesn’t stop peeing on things they will need to get rid of her. Unfortunately, it involves selling some of Liam’s favorite things and conducting some wild science experiments. Then you have the youngest in the family, Izzy a child with Down syndrome, who makes friends easily and gives great hugs. Can this family of nerds, jocks and friendliness come together and save Cupcake?

The writing here is just right for younger readers who will love the brisk pace mixed with with madcap humor. Liam is a strong protagonist who is starting to become more aware of social standing and how others perceive him, and being a big brother to the disruptive Dakota is not helping matters. Even when he is exasperated with his sister though, he tends to be calm and show a great deal of maturity in each situation.

I love that this book is not focused on big issues. There are several that could have been the focus in a more dramatic book, such as poverty, Down syndrome, and divorce. Instead Choldenko tells the story of a family facing a variety of challenges and weathering them together, several of the obvious challenges actually turn out to be strengths along the way. The light tone is also conveyed in the illustrations with their light touch and humorous takes on the scenes.

This funny wild romp will be enjoyed by elementary readers. Appropriate for ages 6-9.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifth grader Liam lives with his mom and two younger sisters and their dog, Cupcake, in a run down apartment in a not-so-great neighborhood. They used to have a house, but when their parents got divorced, the kids and their mom had to move to the apartment. As compensation for downsizing, their mom allowed them to get a dog. The kids love Cupcake, but unfortunately a small apartment isn't the best place for a big dog. Cupcake gets regular walks, but lately she has begun to have regular accidents in the house. Their landlord is not happy about this, but their vet doesn't know what the problem is, and his only solution is to recommend they take her to the teaching hospital at the local university, which is way more than they can afford. Liam watches the kids at school, and knows that it's not cool to be more than one third nerd. He's doing OK in that regard, partly because of his skill on the tennis court. His sister, Dakota, doesn't understand this at all however. Dakota is super smart, but she doesn't have a lot of friends. She is that kid who talks out of turn and always has the right answer but never picks up on the social cues that others do. Liam has his hands full with trying to make friends with the cool new kid at school, keep his sisters in line and save enough money to get Cupcake to the vet. This contemporary story will appeal to readers in grades 3 and 4 who love animals or are dealing with their own pesky siblings.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Friendship is a gentle thing. More like catching a bird then forcing a stuck drawer closed.”

Liam is one-third nerd but he’s also a really good tennis player, so it balances his nerdiness out and so he doesn’t stick out in 5th grade. Except when his sisters embarrass him. There’s Dakota, third grade 100% science nerd, and proud of it. And then there’s Izzy, a super hugger. But even more embarrassing to Liam is where he lives. When his mom and dad divorced, they couldn’t afford the mortgage anymore, so now Liam, his sisters and mom live in a very small apartment in a not so good part of town. The landlord, Mr. Torpse, lives right above them, which doesn’t help matters. Only Dodge, Liam’s best friend, knows where Liam lives.

Shortly after they moved into the apartment, Liam’s mom bought a dog, Cupcake. The kids all love the dog, but Cupcake is having medical problems, which are expensive. Cupcake is also peeing on the carpet. When Mr. Torpse finds out about this, he gives the family an ultimatum. Either stop the dog from peeing or they will be kicked out of their apartment. Mom doesn’t like it, but they may have to get rid of Cupcake. Liam and Dakota do not want this to happen, so they try to figure out how to help Cupcake OR to raise enough money to have him looked at by a specialist.

A touching story.

[Lenoire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liam knows that fifth grade is not for beginners and being more than one-third nerd is not cool. Liam and his family live in the Bay area in San Franciso with his mom and two sisters. Dakota has a big personality and loves science but, has a hard time making friends. Izzy has Down syndrome, loves giving hugs and can make friends easily. Their dad works in insurance and lives across town but, stops by with food often. And Cupcake is their lovable German shepherd that guards their apartment.


Lately, Cupcake has a problem. She has been peeing all over the apartment. The family wants to take her to the vet before their landlord can find out. Their parents have said if Cupcake doesn't stop, they will have to find her a new home. However, the kids can't give their beloved pet away. Will they be able to save Cupcake in time?


The novel was a fun and quick read. I like how each of the characters had their own well developed and distinct personality. Liam being the caring, protective older brother, Izzy being the intuitive friendly sister and Dakota was caring but a bit brash. I am disheartened to say, that I found Dakota to be a bit too much and I felt her character was a bit over the top, even if she meant well. Overall, it was a fun read.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Know why superheroes don’t have sisters?” Moses asks.
“Couldn’t get anything done,” I say. (119)

I was captivated by the narrator Liam and his colorful family: his divorced mother who is trying to make ends meet so they can stay in their tiny basement apartment; his third grade sister Dakota who is sure she has all the answers and that no one else, not even the teachers, knows more than she does, being 100% nerd; his little sister Izzy who has Down syndrome, a hug for everyone, and, it turns out, the answer to the family’s problem, and his dad who lives across town and bring dinner once a week and stays a part of the family. And then there is their German Shepherd Cupcake, whose problem of peeing in the apartment is the main problem of the novel; the mean landlord has given the Roses three weeks to get rid of Cupcake or he will kick them out.

Liam has to deal with his family and still navigate fifth grade. Luckily he has a best friend Dodge. But can he stay at approximately 1/3 nerd (which is the right amount), win at tennis, impress the new kid Moses, live down the embarrassment Dakota causes him at school, and find a way to save Cupcake?

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

One-Third Nerd
by Gennifer Choldenko
Random House Children's
Wendy Lamb Books
Children's Fiction
Pub Date 29 Jan 2019


I am reviewing a copy of One Third Nerd through Random House Children’s and Netgalley:


Liam knows fifth grade is not for amateurs, he knows that being one third nerd is okay but anything more than that is not cool. Dakota is his third grade sister whose extremely smart and has a big personalit’s but struggles to make friend. Izzy is in first grade, she has Down Syndrome and makes friends easy, she also notices things that not everyone else notices. And they have Cupcake their well loved German Shepherd that guards their basement apartment. Their Father lives across town and comes over often but doesn’t live with them.


Lately Cupcake has a problem she’s peeing all over the apartment and their Mother is told by the landlord that they must get rid of her but Dakota, Liam and Izzy are determinus to make sure that does not happen.


I give One Third Nerd five out of five star!


Happy Reading!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: Fifth grade is not for amateurs. You have to watch yourself. Kids notice stuff. What books you read. What sports you follow. What devices you own. And how nerdy you are.

Premise/plot: Liam stars in Gennifer Choldenko's newest middle grade novel. Liam has two sisters--both younger--Dakota and Izzy. Dakota especially is a handful and a half. She is one hundred percent nerd. She loves, loves, loves science and experimenting. Izzy has 47 chromosomes and has some learning difficulties. His parents are divorced but everything is mostly amicable. The big drama in this one is about the family dog, Cupcake. The landlord is threatening to kick the family out of their apartment if they don't get rid of their dog. Can these three siblings find a way to save the dog?

My thoughts: I love, loved, loved this one. Choldenko is such a great writer. Her characterization is excellent. I loved spending time with Liam at school and at home. I loved his two friends, Dodge and Moses. It was just a TREAT to read from cover to cover.

[Sylvie Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the characters in this book, and I hope there will be a sequel!

*****SPOILER ALERT***** Don't read past this point if you don't want to see spoilers about the story! *****SPOILER ALERT*****







*****SPOILER ALERT*****
3rd Grader Dakota's ability to not only use eBay but even manage to package and send out her family's cherished items without their knowledge seems implausible, but I'm willing to suspend my disbelief on that one. The idea of finding and selling valuable old newspapers as a way to earn money was a good one, but the way that they ended up finding the valuable papers at the last minute didn't quite make sense to me and seemed rather farfetched. The resolution with Mr. Torpse via his daughter was also a bit too neatly and conveniently managed to be believable, but maybe one needs to view this story as a farce in order to fully appreciate it. Overall, I still found this book very enjoyable, and I do hope Choldenko will write more books about these characters to continue their stories.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifth grader Liam has a lot on his mind. Not only does he need to make sure that he maintains his reputation at school, something that is endangered his sister Dakota's nerdy ways, but he is desperate to find a way to save the family dog, Cupcake. When the landlord realizes that Cupcake is incontinent, Liam and his two sisters rack their brains for a solution. But their mother says that they'll have to give the dog away, and their father who often drops by with meals he's cooked, doesn't understand how much they love Cupcake. Intermediate grade readers will love how these youngsters work to solve their problem and come up with the money they need to help Cupcake. It's wonderful to read a book with a happy ending, plenty of heart, and one in which the dog does not die. I loved all these characters and rooted for them so hard to save that dog.

[Leonard Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The core elements are strong. I end up at 3* not 4* because I do think there were a bit too many extraneous and underdeveloped things here. I did have concerns at first about Dakota, the 100% nerd, as I often do with such characters, but she turned out to be a different character then she first appears to be and part of what makes this worth reading. Dakota is the character with real problems, not Izzy, the sibling with Down Syndrome, and from that standpoint, this plays a bit like a younger version of Choldenko’s Al Capone books. It was also interesting reading this just after Pay Attention, Carter Jones. Both have protagonists who must be the Good Big Brother. Both were written by fine authors who produced something a little younger and looser than their most memorable work.

[Penny Peck · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this delightful contemporary novel for 3rd through 5th grades, siblings try to earn money so they can take their dog to the vet and cure her problem of peeing indoors, or their landlord will kick them out. Told in first person by brother Liam, he has several friends, kind teachers, divorcing parents, and two younger sisters - one a science nerd, and one with Down's. Humor is key to the book's charm, as well as its realistic characters and plot. Set in the Bay Area, there are references to local places such as the Lawrence Hall of Science and Silicon Valley. It is also refreshing to have a story about regular kids who are worried about money - something not often seen in fiction for this age group. A great read-aloud for classrooms, too.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likable. Will be a good series. Liam’s an everyman—athletic and smart, but not over the top for either. Has good friends, but also worries about what others think of him. Has an eccentric family, but clearly they love each other and have each other’s backs.

I liked the handling of the parents’ divorce. Their custody arrangement seemed to make sense. I liked how Mr Gupta took a special interest in Dakota and how the landlord’s daughter was the hero. The 27s were also a special addition.

My attention wandered a bit here and there. I kept losing track of who was speaking and the whole dog business was strange. Why didn’t the vet mention an alternative med?

Overall, it will be good for striving readers. An easier chapter book about a real grade 5 problems.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great story for young people. Liam, Dakota, Izzie, and their dog, Cupcake, are such lovable characters, though Dakota would give any parent gray hair before their time. The children work very hard to keep their dog while keeping up with their daily lives and not letting on that they do not have a lot of money. Liam especially does not want the new kid, Moses, to know because he thinks Moses is rich and would not want to be his friend. The landlrod, Mr. Torpse, is a curmudgeon who lves upstairs and wants the dog gone. I love the energy and tenacity thay Dakota has as well as Liam’s mature understanding as the oldest child.

[Carli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for the advance Kindle copy of this 1/29/19 release. All opinions are my own.
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⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Liam, a fifth-grader, deals with a lot during the course of this story. His parents are divorced, which causes his family to move into a tiny rental; his sister Dakota is wild in her quest to win a Makerspace competition; his dog is sick and might be the reason they get evicted. There are plenty of laughs, and the author does a wonderful job of including Liam’s sister Izzy, who has Down Syndrome. With illustrations sprinkled throughout, it it a quick read that I think is best suited for older elementary readers.