'Woof' and 'Arf' (Bowser and Birdie Novels) by Spencer Quinn

Kids and Adults 

Bowser, a shelter dog, and Birdie Gaux, an 11-year-old girl, live on the Louisiana coast with Birdie’s Grammy. When a prize stuffed marlin is stolen from Grammy’s bait and tackle shop, Birdie and Bowser decide to take on the case. But what looks like a straightforward break-in soon becomes as tangled as a tourist’s fishing line.

Was Grammy hiding a treasure map in the marlin? What’s up with Old Man Straker, owner of a rival tackle shop, and his juvenile-delinquent son? And most sinister of all, why does is suddenly look as if someone wants to harm Birdie?

A mystery told from the voice of a dog. Pure genius.

Just like ‘Ellie’s Story’ this story is told by the point of view of the dog. Bowser has the same scene of humor as Stan from ‘Dog with a Blog.’ Bowser’s dialogue throughout the book is so hilarious, like how people smell and how confusing humans are. I read this book with my mom and she loved it more than me.

The biggest question I had throughout this entire book was ‘What kinda past does this dog have?!’ Bowser keeps mentioning his past with ‘The Gang’ and all the criminal things they did. I kept hoping he would explain why he was with a gang in the first place.

*****

Bowser is back and wilder than ever!

A few months after being adopted by Birdie, Bowser’s doing great. But he’s on the trail of something rotten. Who broke into the Gaux’s family home? Why is a girl asking odd questions about what happened to Birdie’s dad, a policeman who was killed in the line of duty years ago? Worst of all, why is the whole town starting to stink of limeade and CAT!?

The death of Birdie’s father may be a cold case, but Bowser can tell it’s heating up fast. Someone is coming after Birdie and her family, and Bowser must be ready to protect them from anything. Even that awful cat.

This mystery was a lot more interesting than the last books’, I kept getting lost and confused.

There were two specific characters in this book who I can explain using my favorite expression. “The wheel is moving but the hamster is dead.” One other example: “The lights are on but nobody’s home.” These two sayings are more elegant ways of saying someone is not very smart or is just plain dumb. To be honest, Bowser is the smartest on in this story.

These books are available as audiobooks and I recommend listening to them on a road trip, especially if you have kids. I listened to these books with my niece and nephew and they just laughed and laughed.