CALVIN COCONUT: DOG HEAVEN

A school assignment about persuasive writing frames this appealing third offering in a series set on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Along with his classmates, Calvin is at first hesitant to write on the topic, “What I want so badly I can taste it,” as assigned to them by well-liked teacher Mr. Purdy. However, when he realizes that what he really wants is a dog like the one he had when his father was still around, he finds unexpected aid in persuading his mother from Ledward, her boyfriend. A somewhat sweeter tone takes hold in this latest in the line-up, in which Calvin’s relationship with Ledward deepens and the adult’s role modeling helps him to understand more about his responsibilities at home. Rogers’s black-and-white, shaded illustrations are again a welcome complement—in particularly, the playful, dynamic depictions of Streak, the dog on which Calvin eventually sets his sights. A healthy dose of humor, such as Ledward’s pet pig that rides with him in the front seat of his jeep, will keep readers engaged. (Fiction. 7-11)