Brian, the class brain, has come up with a unique science project to execute with his best friend (and the narrator), Josh, and class “moron,” Dougie; he’ll hypnotize his dog, Arful, into acting like a cat. Unfortunately, Josh is the one who begins to act like a cat, revealed in a few subtle clues that go unnoticed until Parents’ Night, when they present their projects on stage: Josh encounters catnip for the first time, with hilarious results. Most of this frequently amusing story consists of Brian making notes of the nonexistent changes in Arful’s behavior while Josh and Dougie (who is not as dumb as he acts) make smart-aleck remarks. The biggest surprise is the ending, which may hint at a sequel: Brian restores Josh to boyhood, but accidentally hypnotizes Arful—who asks for a pizza, with anchovies. A glib, funny novel. (b&w illustrations, not seen) (Fiction. 7-10)
