Dog Days

Rosie Riggs is more than a little dismayed to find out that she will be spending her summer days with a new baby-sitter, the elderly Miss Scott, and Miss Scott's grandniece ``Skinny Bones,'' the weirdest kid in school. At first, vacation turns out to be as awful as Rosie has expected, but then a celebrated writer moves into the neighborhood. Sharing a love for Miss O'Day's books about Sandy the Super Dog, Rosie and Skinny Bones form a fast friendship as they desperately try to meet the reclusive author and her famous golden retriever. The girls' attempts to win notice prove futile until Miss O'Day faces a crisis and all the neighbors pitch in to help. Rosie emerges as a plucky preteen who learns that first impressions can often be misleading. This novel lacks the depth of some of Rodowsky's earlier works, such as What About Me? and Julie's Daughter , yet it does provide plenty of humor, numerous ironic twists and memorable characters. Ages 7-11. (Nov.)