Blog Tour/Review: All Pets Allowed!

New dog, no tricks!

Becket Branch has one birthday wish—a dog! Dogs are outgoing and friendly, and they live life loud, just like Becket. Becket’s twin, Nicholas, wants a pet more like him—a peaceful, quiet indoor cat. When their parents take them to the shelter to choose a dog and a cat, it should be Becket’s biggest BEAUTIFUL ALERT ever. But Becket’s dream dog, Dibs, turns out to be a super-shy scaredy-pooch. Meanwhile, Nicholas’s kitty, Given, loves being the center of attention and greeting visitors to Blackberry Farm.

Can Becket and Nicholas learn how to love Dibs and Given as they are—even if they aren’t exactly the pets the twins dreamed of?

With black-and-white drawings throughout by award-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham (Real Friends), this second volume of the Blackberry Farm series offers a gentle message about embracing new friends who may not match preconceived expectations.

“A welcome addition to the engaging Blackberry Farm series.”

-Booklist

PRAISE FOR THE BLACKBERRY FARM SERIES:

“A sparkling story of weathering change.”

–Booklist, starred review

“Becket is an outgoing, refreshingly self-confident protagonist…Readers will appreciate her ability to bounce back from whatever life hands her. Pham’s sketch drawings scattered throughout enhance the energy and humor of the story. Give this to kids who enjoy stories with plucky female protagonists.”

–School Library Journal

“Warm and amusing as Becket and her two siblings navigate their new life on a farm.”

–Kirkus Reviews

“An enjoyable novel for young readers beginning to explore the world on their own terms.”

–Horn Book Magazine

“Becket’s narration vibrates with energy and cheer…Pham’s black and white illustrations…have just the right amount of comic flair to match the vibrant humor of Becket’s story.”

–The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Perfect…This fun and colorful novel will surely make you happy and brighten up your day.”

–Newsday

Review: This was a nice book in a early Middle Grade series that I think will appeal to many! And I really liked the illustrations in the book (I think more books should be illustrated!). Overall, I would definitely recommend trying this series!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

About Adele Griffin:

Adele Griffin is the acclaimed author of Tell Me No Lies and Be True to Me, as well as Sons of Liberty and Where I Want to Be, both finalists for the National Book Award as well as the middle grade series The Oodlethunks and Blackberry Farm. She lives with her husband and children in Brooklyn, NY. You can find her online at adelegriffin.com or on Twitter: @adelegriffin.