DOG CIRCUS BLOCK PARTY

People (and puppies) united will never be defeated.

It’s been six months since 11-year-old Sophie moved from Vermont (where she was “the only brown kid” in her school) to Boston. Now she has a new neighbor, Mr. O’Connor. Unfortunately, with some humorously unsubtle foreshadowing, Sophie’s dog Ollie Baba creates a bad first impression by pooping in his fastidiously kept yard. Though Mr. O’Connor, a wealthy older white man, is outwardly pleasant, it’s clear he has many gripes about the neighborhood. He weaponizes them in the form of an anonymous letter to the principal of Sophie’s school—which is at risk of being closed by a committee he leads. Although they’re angry, Principal Omland and the students admit that the kids do litter and are often rude to one another and their teachers. Of course, the letter doesn’t explore the myriad socioeconomic factors at play, but the kids and Sophie’s teacher Mrs. Najma get it. Instead of being defeated, they look for things to appreciate and mobilize to make improvements. Sophie’s street’s block party is already in the works—Sophie and her friend Juno are going to put on a dog circus. The party also offers an opportunity to join the school’s pancake breakfast to raise awareness and work together. Through thoughtful descriptions and creative dog analogies, Lobenstine synthesizes complex issues like gentrification, prejudice, and economic injustice into digestible, kid-friendly scenarios. Na’s illustrations add humor and context to this gently empowering read.

A joyful, community-centered ode to collective action.