THE DOG THAT STOLE FOOTBALL PLAYS

by Matt Christopher ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 24, 1980

Hi, Harry."" ""Well, hi, kid! It's about time."" That the dog in the pet shop window answers Mike's greeting is all the more incongruous as Ogden pictures the animal as a blocky, cartoony stuffed toy. But despite this suggestion of drollery, the story is pure dotted-line Christopher (and much shorter than the ones he used to write). At football games, Harry eavesdrops on the opponents' coach's instructions, then relays them to Mike. As a result, Mike's team chalks up four straight wins. Then one Saturday Harry gets sick, and the opponents are big and tough and lead 21-0 at the half. But guess what? Mike's Dad gives him a peptalk, Mike passes it on to the team, and the game ends in a 21-21 tie without Harry's help. Zippy enough for reading practice, but no front runner.

Pub Date: April 24, 1980

ISBN: 0316134236

Page Count: -

Publisher: Little, Brown

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1980

Categories: FICTION