The Pet War by Allan Woodrow (review)

“Dog people are clever, friendly, good-looking, funny, and overall fantastically wonderful. Cat people, on the other hand, are ugly, boring and smell bad.” So pronounces Otto, a puckish eleven year-old who, unsurprisingly, files himself in the former category. He desperately wants a dog of his own to teach tricks, take for walks, and train to bite his older sister, Lexi, a sworn cat-lover. When their mother proposes a friendly competition—whoever raises $500 in a month can get the pet of his or her choice—he must use all his wits to beat his smart and savvy sister. Charming and feckless, he is long on ideas but short on follow-through, creating a handful of money-raising schemes while juggling school and soccer, failing hilariously at all of them. This fast-paced and funny novel presents a protagonist in the tradition of Tom Sawyer, a smug but winning preteen boy generally beloved by his peers though regarded with suspicion and perhaps a hint of distaste by adults. The relatable and redemptive Otto and his misadventures will fare especially well with those looking for a character with a smart mouth and big heart.