ONE DOG AND HIS BOY

All 10-year-old Hal has ever wanted is a dog of his own. Instead, he receives the latest technological gadgets and items selected for him by expensive personal shoppers. Finally, his parents give in and go to Easy Pets to rent a dog for the weekend. Narrator Steve West beautifully portrays warm and wise Hal, including his excruciating pain when he realizes that his canine companion is only temporary. Also well rendered are Hal’s wealthy yet oblivious parents, his sweet and loving grandparents, and the multitude of people he meets in his quest to rejoin his precious dog. Young listeners will learn much about dogs, the distinctions between breeds, and how to care for their beloved friends. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: JANUARY 2012]