Dear Mr. Trump, About Charlie. . . .

Dear Mr. Trump,

If DogEvals has not yet convinced you to pick up a book, even a short one, perhaps Charlie’s Choice will. Marc Fisher wrote in the July 15 edition of the Washington Post, “Trump said he thought about reading . . . , ‘but I don’t have much time, . . .’” he said.

That’s why DogEvals wants you to start by reading children’s books, Mr. Trump. Remember the Reader’s Digest Condensed Books?

Nowadays we even have children’s versions of best sellers and, yes, even adults read them if they don’t have time for the longer adult version. Juvenile versions like Racing in the Rain: My Life as a Dog by Garth Stein

and Ellie’s Story: A Dog’s Purpose Novel (coming out as a movie on the 27th) by W. Bruce Cameron - Bailey’s Story, too.

So, today we have Charlie’s Choice, number 20 in the Puppy Patrol series.

Charlie’s Choice (Puppy Patrol: What Kennel Will He Choose?), by Jenny Dale (Scholastic, 110 pages, 1999, ages 9 and up), number 20 of 25 in a series of 25.

We return to the young British boy Neil whose family owns the King Street Kennels and Rescue. A new boarding kennel, the pink and fancy Pretty Paws Dog Hotel - For the Dog with Taste, opens in the next town: King Street Kennels’ clients including the young golden retriever Charlie are transferring over but the new kennel owners don’t seem to know much about dogs and may not be treating them right. What to do?

A break-in at the new kennel. Perfume and grooming at Pretty Paws. Renovations at the King Street Kennels with a famous dog from Hollywood coming for the dedication. An uninvited cat at a dog training class wrecks havoc at King Street and canine clients run to the competition. An investigative reporter.

How will it all end? To end the suspense, get reading!

Love, your pals at DogEvals

Tomorrow: Top Dog

Caveat: You can probably find these books at your local public library. Or try a used-books store.