Help! I'm Trapped in Obedience School

Help! I'm Trapped...

by Todd Strasser, Kate Sheppard (Illustrator)

Demonstrating an unusual machine to Andy, Jake Sherman accidentally turns his friend into the Sherman family dog, and when Andy's misbehavior places him in an obedience school, Jake must rescue him. Original.

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Humor, Animals, Middle Grade, Chapter Books, Science Fiction

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Todd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.

His most recent novel is Summer of '69

Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."

Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."

His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus 
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA 
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal 

Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.

All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.

After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.

Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.

Reviews

[Nayah James]

At first I thought this book was going to be very childish, but okay to read, plus the cover caught my attention. Starting off reading I knew this book would be easy to read, but it some way be very twisted in the storylines. As thought, I was proved correctly. To start this book is about a boy whose life is somewhat normal, but he wishes he didn't have to listen or be around his older sister. He always thought about what it would be like to be his dog, who lays in the kitchen everyday, messing up anything he finds interesting. By the way his dog is what else? untrained. That's where the story starts. The family wants to get the dog into obedience school because he doesn't listen, is always going through the garbage and knocking it over, wasting food all over the floor, and just sits in one spot all day. Of coarse he doesn't know what he's doing is wrong, so the older sister signs him up to be trained. Yet, the crazy thing was she didn't know that wasn't the dog she was taking to school, it was her brother trapped in his body!

[Markie Jones]

I know that this book is aimed at 11 year olds and to be fair i've been reading them since as long as i can remember and they always get better with every read. You learn a lot of things that children should learn in school but unfortunately only the names and dates are useful in school history lessons. My children will certainly read every single one as i feel that Deary helps children learn more about the world that they are living in.

[Janice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know why this type of book makes me very nervous. Here I am an adult, I know it is fiction and impossible but it makes me nervous for fear they will get in trouble, get hurt or won't be able to turn him back into human. If it makes me nervous as an adult why would it be good for kids to read. No I am not crazy, Just saying.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

The characters must be complete idiots to not notice a dog was in Andy's body. Even with my previous remark I still enjoyed the book I kept questioning myself "will they get caught??" and that kept me reading the book. The book was funny but some parts which we're supposed to be funny we're lame.

[Haley Lathrop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very funny story!!! Great for kids between third and fifth grade, depending on reading level. - This is one of many books from Srasser's Help! Series. I highly recommend checking out some of his other books.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrible Histories is a series of illustrated books published in the UK by Scholastic. They are designed to get children interested in history by concentrating on the trivial, unusual, gory, or unpleasant. They are exceptionally well loved by my history loving children

[Bad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used to love this one when I was a kid :)

[Geo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah, a reflection on the days that I liked this series, this is the one that amused me the most. It's the rubbish dialogue and situations that made it utterly hilarious.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the first books I ever read. I thought it was pretty good when I was younger.

[Delmisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was a great book because it is the type of book i could read all the time and the book is funny as well an i liked it very much

[TheSuperKim · Rating 4 out of 5]

crappy ending.

[Mas5thgrade2014 · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a very interesting book about switching body's this was my first book of "help I'm trapped in" sires
-thediamondback

[Olivia]

Not very good I don't recommend it.

[Linda D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read by Strasser. My day care children loved it.

[Margie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick easy read. Children's book.

[Anitalia Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I pick this book because the cover is so cute and the title seems like calling me “to read it”.

I must admit this book is very funny and hilarious! The part when Jake and Josh realized that Andy been switched bodies with Lance (Jake’s dog) really makes me feel “excited, a little bit panicked, and laughed out loud many times”.

Josh with his teenager attitude that constantly blaming others for everything, but still remains loyal for his best friends, Jake with his loyal, try to act wisely and logical, and Andy who played the funny part with his dog body but human brain. The story also reminds me on how many things that could happened during 8th grade school year, specially with this switching bodies moments and how they have to act normal just to make them safe for the entire day of school.

Recommend this book for middle-grade readers who wants to experience a weird, sci-fi, how to solve problems in a teenager way, deal with every situation with logical thinking plus fun. I as an adult really enjoyed this book.

[Chance Hansen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I adore this book. Just good, creative fun.

Cover
The book gets it's point across. I like it.

Interior
I really enjoyed this book. A true to form story to take you out of the craziness of the world with something fun and crazy.
I'd say the three friends. Josh, Jake and Andy really don't seem all that different from each other. From insults they jab at each other to how they respond to anything around them it's pretty identical. The main focus is on the story and what to do when your best friend becomes man's best friend.

This book teases a liar reveal trope but thankfully it doesn't actually comit which I thought was nice. I love that they actually work around it and it's not addressed especially since it means they has to figure it out on their own.
I'd say it's for the best and it builds up some of the shenanigans. As s a dog, Andy's a little bit of a perv with Jessica but honestly it fits the story and adds a good number of chuckles with the circumstances that come out of it.
One thing that's a bit unfortunate is that the problem with Lance being an unrulily dog is a bit overshadowed by the main plot especially with since Lance really doesn't learn anything about being a good dog and I have a feeling this is where this particular book in the series ended up having a sequel. Overall not bad, no moral, or lecture, and nothing learned. Just a little laidback fun adventure.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

As a parent, this gave me anxiety throughout the whole book. Maia didn’t enjoy it much either.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book so far on page 83

[Jonah Smith]

It's a great book I would recommend it to everyone.