Fresh Reads, Honest reviews, Educator-approved
True courage is being afraid and doing it anyway. Jessie navigates her mother’s overseas deployment by rescuing a dog from a local puppy mill. Set against the backdrop of a stormy Minnesota summer, this moving story explores how friendship, family, and a four-legged companion can help us find the strength to be “fearless” in the face of our greatest anxieties.
Who says cold cases can’t have a sense of humor? With a retired German Shepherd named Simon Garfunkel leading the way, this fast-paced, witty novel proves that the bond between a handler and his dog is the ultimate investigative tool. Perfect for fans of “no-nonsense” writing and clever, canine-assisted detective work.
Get ready for a “heady” and serpentine mystery with the K Team! In Good Dog, Bad Cop, Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner Simon Garfunkel take on a cold case to clear a mentor’s name. This 4-star procedural is witty, complex, and skillfully woven. While the human characters take center stage, the canine hero Simon Garfunkel is the true star of this Paterson, NJ investigation. Perfect for fans of complex puzzles.
Something Like Home is a heartfelt novel in verse that uses its poetic structure to give students a gentle, honest window into the themes of family, belonging, and resilience. This powerful story is a quick, engaging read perfect for sparking deep ELA discussions on character development and poetic structure in grades 4-6.
Rosenfelt’s Animal Instinct is a witty, fast-moving mystery that pairs humor with heart. Corey Douglas and his K-9 partner, Simon Garfunkel, bring charm and energy to every page as they reopen a haunting cold case. Rosenfelt’s conversational tone and dry wit make the story easy to love, balancing suspense with laugh-out-loud moments. A must-read for dog lovers and mystery fans alike.