Barry Boyhound by Andy Spearman

From the Publisher

This is the story of a boy named Barry. Some stuff happens, and overnight like magic he turns into a boyhound. Not a hound, but a boyhound—which means while he may still look like a boy, he is, in fact, a dog. And even in his boyhound brain, Barry knows there are lots of advantages to being a dog. You don't have to clean your room or use dental floss, for example.

But things get crazy. He eats something too disgusting to mention. He's attacked by telepathic squirrels. An innocent squashed frog gets involved. Plus, his mother's pretty mad. And that's all before the really bad thing happens. . . .

School Library Journal

Gr 4-6-Barry wakes up one morning and finds that he is turning into a dog. Well, not quite. He's a boyhound, human on the outside, but definitely canine within. He thinks the change is rather cool. Dogs don't have to wear clothes, they can eat practically anything, and they don't have much in the way of responsibility. Of course, since he doesn't actually look like a dog, his family and friends have no idea that Barry has undergone this transformation. So, when he chases the cat, sniffs a strange woman's rear end, and bites his best friend, they figure that he has simply gone crazy. The wild action is funny, but the rambling narrative is somewhat difficult to follow. The author often interrupts the story to speak directly to readers, and there are many side comments, non sequiturs, and tangential footnotes. The inset photos, drawings, and diagrams often depict these peripheral points. There is considerable bodily function and gross-out humor as well. Adults may find all this rather distasteful, but middle grade readers-especially boys-with a penchant for off-the-wall humor, may enjoy Barry's misadventures.-Elaine E. Knight, Lincoln Elementary Schools, IL Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

The day Barry becomes a boyhound is filled with adventure. Still boy outside but all dog within, he eats disgusting things, swims with a poodle, befriends a dead frog, is attacked by squirrels, captures a sneaker, chases the cat and dismembers a puppet, before Something Truly Awful happens. Being a dog has its disadvantages, after all, but all ends well. Intertwined with the nearly believable events of Barry's dog life are conversations between two fleas on his head. Perhaps these fleas are the cause of his transformation, but they are unaware, intent on their own dreams. Along with the entertaining story come footnotes, pronunciation guides, numerous possibly relevant illustrations (a close-up of a flea, a sample treasure map, a photo of Beijing rooftops, George Washington Carver, to name but a few), tables, appendices, a timeline and an ample index to everything that is mentioned in the book. For boys (or even girls) who appreciate wacky humor and interesting facts, this is a perfect package. (Fiction. 8-12)

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