Shelter Pet Squad

In this charming illustrated chapter book series by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord, the Shelter Pet Squad kids find the perfect homes for animals in need! Suzannah's always wanted a pet of her own, but she lives in an apartment where there are absolutely no pets allowed. What she CAN do is volunteer at a local pet shelter. There, although she's the youngest, Suzannah quickly finds herself making friends with the kids and bonding with the animals. She makes toys and treats for the animals. She feeds the cats and plays with the puppies! Then a girl just her age brings a guinea pig named Jelly Bean to the shelter. Suzannah promises that she'll find the little creature the perfect home. But what if no one wants an abandoned guinea pig? Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord has created a fun and heartwarming chapter books series. Praise for RULESA Newbery Honor book, Schneider Family Book Award, ALA Notable"Catherine is an endearing narrator who tells her story with both humor and heartbreak. . . . A lovely, warm read, and a great discussion starter." -- SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNALPraise for TOUCH BLUE*"A thoughtful first-person narration . . . [Tess's] sense of humor keeps things light." -- THE HORN BOOK, starred review"Lord interlaces themes of loss, luck, superstition, family, and belonging . . . in this stirring novel." -- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY"Realistic characters, humor, and a charming setting make this a great choice for collections of all sizes." -- KIRKUS REVIEWS Erin McGuire is an illustrator currently working in Dallas, Texas. She's illustrated over fifty books across a range of middle grade and picture book projects, including Time of the Fireflies, The Real Boy, and many more. Cynthia Lord is the award-winning author of Rules, a Newbery Honor Book and a Schneider Family Book Award winner, as well as the critically acclaimed Half a Chance, A Handful of Stars, and Because of the Rabbit. She made her picture-book debut with Hot Rod Hamster, which won several awards, including the Parents' Choice Award, and is the author of the Shelter Pet Squad chapter book series. She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at cynthialord.com. From Shelter Pet Squad #1: Jelly BeanDad calls my bedroom "Suzannah's Pet Shop," because stuffed animals have taken over! They play hide-and-seek between the books on my shelf. They bounce with me when I jump on my bed. They snuggle against my neck and beg for treats. It's fun pretending with my stuffed animals, but I wish I could have a real pet. Something soft and furry that could sit in the window, waiting for the school bus to bring me home. My pet would bound across the living room to greet me. He'd jump into my lap before I even sat down. If I couldn't have a big pet, I'd pick something little and busy. He could live in a cage in my room. I'd build him a fun playground with paper-towel-tube tunnels to scurry through and ramps to climb up and slide down. My pet would ride in my bathrobe pocket when I made breakfast: cereal for me, carrots for him. But the only pets I can have are stuffed animals. We live in an apartment, and the landlord says:No dogs.No cats.No pets of any kind. Only people can live in our apartment. I don't think that's fair. A fish wouldn't make a mess. A lizard isn't noisy. A hamster doesn't smell bad – well, not too bad. "Maybe someday we'll have our own house," Mom says. "And then we can make the rules. But right now, this apartment is a good home for us. Even if it's not perfect."Sometimes I put my stuffed-animal dog, Bentley, in the window to watch me come home from school. I carry Whiskers, my stuffed-animal mouse, in my bathrobe pocket while I make breakfast. Mom bought me a collar with a bell so that Oscar, my stuffed cat, doesn't surprise Tweets, my toy bird. "Pretending is fun, but it's not the same as really doing something," I told Mom. One day I was lining up my stuffed animals to watch TV with me. "Suzannah," Mom

In this charming illustrated chapter book series by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord, the Shelter Pet Squad kids find the perfect homes for animals in need! A pet is missing! When Suzannah arrives to volunteer at the shelter, one of the animals is missing! It's Merlin, a mischievous ferret who gets into everything, and loves to play hide and seek.Owning a ferret can be really hard work, the Shelter Pet Squad discovers. Whoever takes Merlin home will need to be prepared. That's why Suzannah and the other kids make up a test to give to anyone who wants to adopt him. But the ferret is full of surprises . . . and even the Shelter Pet Squad has a lot to learn.Animal lovers will adore this charming series by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord. Praise for Shelter Pet Squad #1: Jelly Bean:"This heartwarming early chapter book reminds readers that good friends and the chance to make a positive difference are often closer than they may believe. Upbeat and relatable, this promises to be the start to a series that will win over young animal enthusiasts." -- School Library Journal"Lord's own newly adopted shelter pet, a guinea pig, was the inspiration... and she artfully weaves information about animals, shelters, and pet care throughout. Easy vocabulary, uncomplicated sentences, generous dialogue, large font, and friendly illustrations make the book accessible." -- Booklist"Pet lovers will enjoy this brief, quietly attractive series opener." -- Kirkus"Lord's deft pacing and the specific details of shelter volunteering (the kids receive clear enough instructions on setting up treat "challenges" for the dogs, for example, that readers could replicate themat home) will keep kids captivated." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Book Erin McGuire is an illustrator currently working in Dallas, Texas. She's illustrated over fifty books across a range of middle grade and picture book projects, including Time of the Fireflies, The Real Boy, and many more. Cynthia Lord is the award-winning author of Rules, a Newbery Honor Book and a Schneider Family Book Award winner, as well as the critically acclaimed Half a Chance, A Handful of Stars, and Because of the Rabbit. She made her picture-book debut with Hot Rod Hamster, which won several awards, including the Parents' Choice Award, and is the author of the Shelter Pet Squad chapter book series. She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at cynthialord.com. Praise for Shelter Pet Squad #1: Jelly Bean:"This heartwarming early chapter book reminds readers that good friends and the chance to make a positive difference are often closer than they may believe. Upbeat and relatable, this promises to be the start to a series that will win over young animal enthusiasts." -- School Library Journal"Lord's own newly adopted shelter pet, a guinea pig, was the inspiration... and she artfully weaves information about animals, shelters, and pet care throughout. Easy vocabulary, uncomplicated sentences, generous dialogue, large font, and friendly illustrations make the book accessible." -- Booklist"Pet lovers will enjoy this brief, quietly attractive series opener." -- Kirkus"Lord's deft pacing and the specific details of shelter volunteering (the kids receive clear enough instructions on setting up treat "challenges" for the dogs, for example, that readers could replicate themat home) will keep kids captivated." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Book

In this charming illustrated chapter book series by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord, the Shelter Pet Squad kids find the perfect homes for animals in need! There's a big surprise for the Shelter Pet Squad: A group of sato puppies has arrived! Satos are homeless dogs -- of various breeds -- from Puerto Rico. The kids will help them settle in until they are ready for adoption. Suzannah plays with a pup named Paloma until the little dog falls asleep in her lap. It's puppy love! That's why it's hard, the next week, when a line of people forms at the shelter to adopt the satos. Suzannah should be happy that Paloma will soon have a new home. The only problem is... she's not ready to let the dog go. Is there any way for Paloma to get adopted without breaking Suzannah's heart? Animal lovers will adore this third book in the irresistible Shelter Pet Squad series by Newbery Honor author Cynthia Lord. Praise for Shelter Pet Squad #1: Jelly Bean:"This heartwarming early chapter book reminds readers that good friends and the chance to make a positive difference are often closer than they may believe. Upbeat and relatable, this promises to be the start to a series that will win over young animal enthusiasts." -- School Library Journal"Lord's own newly adopted shelter pet, a guinea pig, was the inspiration... and she artfully weaves information about animals, shelters, and pet care throughout. Easy vocabulary, uncomplicated sentences, generous dialogue, large font, and friendly illustrations make the book accessible." -- Booklist"Pet lovers will enjoy this brief, quietly attractive series opener." -- Kirkus Reviews"Lord's deft pacing and the specific details of shelter volunteering (the kids receive clear enough instructions on setting up treat "challenges" for the dogs, for example, that readers could replicate them at home) will keep kids captivated." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Book Erin McGuire is an illustrator currently working in Dallas, Texas. She's illustrated over fifty books across a range of middle grade and picture book projects, including Time of the Fireflies, The Real Boy, and many more. Cynthia Lord is the award-winning author of Rules, a Newbery Honor Book and a Schneider Family Book Award winner, as well as the critically acclaimed Half a Chance, A Handful of Stars, and Because of the Rabbit. She made her picture-book debut with Hot Rod Hamster, which won several awards, including the Parents' Choice Award, and is the author of the Shelter Pet Squad chapter book series. She lives in Maine with her family. Visit her at cynthialord.com. Praise for Shelter Pet Squad #1: Jelly Bean:"This heartwarming early chapter book reminds readers that good friends and the chance to make a positive difference are often closer than they may believe. Upbeat and relatable, this promises to be the start to a series that will win over young animal enthusiasts." -- School Library Journal"Lord's own newly adopted shelter pet, a guinea pig, was the inspiration... and she artfully weaves information about animals, shelters, and pet care throughout. Easy vocabulary, uncomplicated sentences, generous dialogue, large font, and friendly illustrations make the book accessible." -- Booklist"Pet lovers will enjoy this brief, quietly attractive series opener." -- Kirkus Reviews"Lord's deft pacing and the specific details of shelter volunteering (the kids receive clear enough instructions on setting up treat "challenges" for the dogs, for example, that readers could replicate them at home) will keep kids captivated." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Book