THE FAST AND THE FURRIEST
by Andy Behrens
Torpid 12-year-old Kevin Pugh, son of a gung-ho former football pro, and his even more sluggish beagle, Cromwell, are galvanized into activity when they watch a dog-agility competition on television. Suddenly Cromwell becomes a wunderhund, racing and jumping over and through obstacles, and Kevin’s right there with him. His best friend even pays for classes for boy and dog when Kevin’s parents firmly scotch the idea. Kevin, klutzy and unexcited by sports (except for exceptional prowess with football video games), doesn’t know how to counter his dad’s clueless expectations that he play ball for real and keeps his newfound interest a secret. In the end, though, Kevin revels in his abilities and earns the respect of Cromwell’s gruff trainer; and he and Cromwell win out in more ways than one. The ending is satisfying, if pat and predictable. Dog lovers will appreciate the canine-take-all theme, and all readers will appreciate the gentle humor and root for Kevin. (Fiction. 9-12)