Tippy Lemmey by Patricia C. McKissack, Susan Keeter (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

A New Dog in Town

Tippy Lemmey is no ordinary dog. Not only is he the only dog Leandra, Paul, and Jeannie have ever met with a first and a last name, he's a living, breathing monster! When they ride their bikes, he chases them, snapping at their heels. When they run, he runs. If they cross the street, he follows. There's no getting away from him — over him or under him. He's their number one enemy.

Leandra, Paul, and Jeannie try to come up with a plan to stop Tippy Lemmey, but nothing works. But then Tippy does something totally unexpected, and the kids realize that maybe he's not their enemy after all.

School Library Journal

Gr 2-4-In 1951, in Templeton, TN, Leanne Martin and her friends Paul and Jeannie are at war with Tippy Lemmey, a dog that frightens them. Believing him to be vicious, they strategize to win their conflict with him, eventually asking Leanne's parents to intervene. The kids learn that Tippy is simply a puppy who wants to play, and that his owner is fighting in Korea. Leanne remains unconvinced about the dog's good intentions, but when the friends see thieves stealing him and other neighborhood dogs to sell across state, they rescue the animals and are rewarded when Tippy gets them out of a dangerous situation. The believable characters learn not to judge by appearances and end up great pals with the pup. This charming and humorous story moves along at a fast pace, making it perfect for readers just venturing into chapter-book territory. Evocative black-and-white illustrations effectively portray the children's changing perceptions of Tippy Lemmey. A delightful addition to any collection.-B. Allison Gray, South Country Library, Bellport, NY Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

The time is 1951, the place is small-town Tennessee, and the country is at war with Korea. But seven-year-old Leandra and her friends have a war of their own: a dog is terrorizing them. Tippy Lemmey, the dog with a first and last name, barks and chases and generally makes Leandra, Paul, and Jeannie's lives very difficult. In this new addition to the Ready-for-Chapters series, McKissack tells the fast-paced story of friendship and acceptance. Leandra's father loves her "as much as heaven will allow" and both parents are solid and caring. Her father straddles that fine line between listening to his frightened daughter and allowing her to solve her own problems. Turns out the Lemmeys are raising Tippy Lemmey because the real owner, their son, is serving in the army in Korea. When Tippy Lemmey is stolen by dognappers intent on selling stolen dogs, the children are faced with a dilemma. On one hand, Tippy has made their lives difficult. On the other, their new friends, the Lemmeys, love their beloved son's dog. The children come to the dog's rescue and the dog comes to their rescue as well. The familiar situations and exciting plot will keep the pages turning, but the characters will stay with the new reader long after the story is put away. Short chapters, frequent pencil illustrations, generous font and white space are all hallmarks of a book for new chapter book readers, and this one is perfect on all counts. Best of breed. (Fiction. 7-10)

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