cover image Dog Magic

Dog Magic

Anna Coates. Skylark Books, $2.99 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-553-15910-3

Matt, 11, and Kate, 8, can hardly believe it when their dog, Toby, speaks to them. The desperate and frightened pooch manages to summon up enough ``dog magic'' to communicate that something terrible has happened to his offspring. When Matt and Kate investigate, they discover that the puppies have been secretly sent to a laboratory to be used in cruel experiments. In a tumultuous finish, Matt, Kate and their cousin Rusty save the puppies and prevent the laboratory from ever harming animals again. Despite a dubious beginning, the story emerges as a brisk mystery in which the plucky, precocious Kate provides wit and spontaneity. Dog lovers will overlook the occasional verbosity. Ages 8-12. (Dec.)