THE PS BROTHERS

Russell and best friend Shawn do everything together and share a dream of having a dog of their very own. Their perfect dog would be big and aggressive and inspire fear in the many bullies that plague the twosome at school. When the boys spot a sign advertising Rottweiler puppies for sale, they hatch a plan to earn $200 for one, and the PS (Pooper Scooper) Brothers business is launched. All seems to be going well until Russell stumbles upon evidence that the puppies' owner is engaged in illegal dog fighting. If Russell blows the whistle, he may lose the puppy and disappoint his buddy, but if he does not follow his conscience then more dogs will suffer. Boelts has her story elements all right: worn urban setting, quick comic dialogue, well-developed characters and a good dose of suspense. Especially affecting is the growing relationship between Russell and the uncle who took him in when his dad went to jail. Heartwarming yet full of gritty issues, this is a successful story for middle-grade readers who also like the works of Barbara O'Connor and Frances O'Roark Dowell. (Fiction. 9-12)