Moving at a clip worthy of the barreling pooch at its heart, Grogan's anecdotal adaptation of his bestselling memoir, Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog
speaks to a middle-grade audience. The same eye-catching photo from the original jacket graces this version, and the narrative maintains all the energy, humor and poignancy of the adult book. It will surely hold youngsters' attention—despite the absence of peers (Grogan's own, younger children play but minor roles)—thanks to the pooch's kid-pleasing shenanigans. Marley strews toilet paper throughout the house so that "the place looked like it had been decorated for Halloween," eats everything he can get his paws on (including toy soldiers, pen caps and towels, pieces of which "came out the other end"), and knocks framed photos and bottles off tabletops as he enthusiastically wags "his whole body,... like the canine version of a Slinky." In other comical highlights, the dog lands a role in a movie and misbehaves on the set, and, at an outdoor restaurant, pulls the family's table along the sidewalk in pursuit of a fetching French poodle. The tale takes an inevitable somber turn as the happy-go-lucky pet ages. But Grogan leaves young readers with fond memories of this exasperating yet thoroughly endearing creature. Ages 8-12. (May)
