Cody Harmon, King of Pets (Franklin School Friends #5)

As with other books in this series, the children and adults are believable and well-rounded. Even the dialogue is natural no small feat for a text easily accessible to intermediate readers...The cheery pencil illustrations show the school's racially diverse population as well as the memorable image of Mr. Boone wearing an elephant costume...Another winner from Mills, equally well suited to reading aloud and independent reading. 

Gr 1-4--A new addition to the series, this installment centers on Cody, a third-grade lover of pets and animals. Cody, who lives on a farm with his mom, dad, and nine-month-old twin sisters, struggles with schoolwork. He is writing a report on pigs--he has an adored pet pig named Mr. Piggins--but would much rather play than do homework. As in the other titles, the principal, Mr. Boone, interrupts the class, this time announcing a pet contest to raise money for the Humane Society. Cody wants to bring all nine of his pets (including Mr. Piggins, a rooster, and three chickens) but doesn't have the $10 entry fee for each pet to participate. Dad offers to pay him extra allowance if he works harder on rewriting his pig report, but that won't be quite enough to cover the full cost. Classmate Tobit wants to borrow Rex, Cody's golden retriever, but after observing Tobit being mean to another animal, Cody is not convinced his friend is sensitive enough to care for the dog. Mr. Boone helps the boys resolve their differences, and all ends well. There is good character development, as well as lots of plot to keep newly independent readers engaged. VERDICT Another good entry in this realistic fiction series perfect for young readers who have exhausted all of the "Clementine" (Hyperion) and "Ivy and Bean" (Chronicle) books.--Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City

In this delightful addition to a charming series, Mills highlights Cody Harmon, who much prefers his pets to schoolwork. When affable principal Mr. Boone announces the school will hold a pet show to benefit the Humane Society, Cody needs to decide which of his nine animal friends he will enter. Should it be dependable Rex, a regal golden retriever? Or what about porcine Mr. Piggins? While Cody struggles to earn the entrance fee for one pet, some of his petless classmates develop a plan to help, even as Cody s falling out with his best friend, Tobin, complicates things. As usual, Shepperson s illustrations add verve and joy to the book, capturing the ups and downs of third-grade life. A wonderful read for youngsters navigating chapter books. - Booklist

Like the other titles in the Franklin School Friends series, this outing exudes believability and readability, with Cody a generally easygoing guy who'd rather spend time with his pig than write his overdue report. Mills also tackles a highly sensitive and age-appropriate dilemma as Cody worries about negotiating his friendship with Tobit, who angrily threw a rock at a squirrel; the book clearly backs Cody in his concern but also avoids demonizing Tobit, who acts mostly out of thoughtlessness and comes around after some sage principal intervention. The theme makes this entry in the series particularly suitable for discussion as well as particularly inviting to pet lovers. Shepperson's black and white illustrations evince lively linework and a gift for depicting the casual disarray of young-kid life. - The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books