The Old Dogs’ Club

Gr 1-4–Changes are happening to all of Butler’s characters in The Old Dogs’ Club. Hazel, her mom, and her dog Spot have left Chicago to stay with Hazel’s grandma in Minnesota to help her run her doggy daycare while she recovers from her “little” heart attack. Mom’s best friend Mallory and her two kids, KC and Jonah, also live in Four Lakes but Mallory has recently lost her job which is affecting her and her children. When Hazel realizes that Spot is finding it hard to keep up with younger dogs, she devises a plan for a Senior Doggy Daycare where activities aren’t so strenuous. She recruits KC and Jonah and after clearing it with Grandma, they get to work. Trouble brews when it’s clear that the three of them have very different ideas on how to run the place. Arguments, shouting, jealousy, and hurt feelings must be dealt with soon or ­Senior Doggy Daycare is doomed. Butler skillfully approaches each problem in turn and young readers will be caught up in learning how the characters handle relatable life situations and complex emotions. Kote’s digital, gray scale illustrations help move the story along. As a bonus, Butler offers detailed explanations of helpful games to use with senior dogs that provide social interaction, mental stimulation, and exercise but that won’t exhaust them. Hazel is cued white; secondary characters are diverse.