The underdogs

Gr 1--3--Four furred friends, Nova, Peanut, Harley, and Duke, are far from school stars at Barksdale Academy. Each year, the young canines of Barksdale take the K--9 agility test, and each year, these "Underdogs" are outshined by their high-performing classmates. But this year will be different, according to Nova. She is determined to get her ragtag team to the top. Nova has her work cut out for her, as each of the underdogs has to overcome a unique challenge--Nova's lack of coordination, Peanut's mess aversion, Harley's squirrel distractibility, and Duke's fear of heights. Not only do the plucky pups have personal obstacles to surmount, they endure teasing and embarrassment at the paws of their more agile classmates. After many valiant tries and as many flubs, it seems unlikely that the Underdogs will pass the test. Luckily, Nova has an idea that will get her team to the finish line on their own terms. West skillfully tackles creative problem-solving and self-acceptance while depicting school situations that young readers will find familiar. There are some sharply funny moments; fans of Captain Underpants and Aaron Blabey's The Bad Guys may wish for even more. May's quirky and cartoonish depictions of the Barksdale dogs are spot-on. VERDICT This first installment in the "Underdogs" series has promise and appeal. A great fit for most early chapter collections.--Sarah Simpson, Westerville P.L., OH

Bucking three years of failed attempts, four neurodiverse pooches set out to pass their first K-9 exam at Barksdale Academy in this series opener. Team Comeback's distractible pups face daunting challenges: Nova's motivated but clumsy; Harley's fast but distractib Duke's powerful but risk averse; mischievous Peanut hates getting his fur muddy. Nova feels their failures keenly, her older sisters having earned Best in Show. With the agility test looming, she creates a team practice course for test prep, ignoring valuable advice from fluffy-but-brainy Athena. Practice goes poorly: Harley abandons her promising start to chase a squirrel; Duke, who can't control his fear of heights, ends in a mud puddle, splashing a horrified Peanut. Discouraged, Nova confides in Granny Goldenfur, famous for her "pup talks." Granny's wise advice includes setting achievable goals instead of comparing oneself to others. Reluctant to relinquish her dream, Nova doubles down on practice sessions. Not all characters with disabilities strugg Ollie, who uses a canine wheelchair, is a Barksdale high achiever. However, Team Comeback's invisible challenges are compounded by inflexible expectations that overvalue and reward compliance with rigid and (for some) unattainable standards, failing to encourage and honor creative accommodation strategies. In an influencer-saturated culture, the message couldn't be more timely: Nurturing diversity involves redefining success. (Finished art not seen.) Laced with pun-filled humor, this high-spirited tale delivers its food for thought refreshingly free of preachiness. (Fiction. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.