The Magic Squad and the Dog of Great Potential
ISBN 044041279
Novel for ages 6 to 10
Click the book cover to purchase online!
Awards & Reviews
National Association for Humane and Environmental Education, Recommended Book
Sugarman Award for Children's Literature
This engaging companion to Jazz, Pizzazz, and the Silver Threads ... features easily grasped sentence structure and a brisk pace ... and will speak to students who walk in [underachiever]
Calvin's shoes. -- Horn Book
Quattlebaum realistically portrays [Calvin's] thought processes and emotions.... Remkiewicz's energetic, black-and-white cartoons add to the lively, easy-to-read presentation.
-- School Library Journal
Calvin Hastings and friends are back in this sequel to Jazz, Pizzazz, and the Silver Threads. This time Calvin, a classic underachiever, tries to rescue Train, a large mutt in an animal shelter. He has only a few weeks to train the dog and find him a new home. But Train can't seem to learn. Meanwhile, Calvin's friend Jenny needs his help with a magic show--that may end in disaster.
Writing Games
1. Calvin loves to listen to jazz music. The big dog Train reminds him of his favorite John Coltrane song "Chasin' the Trane." If you can, listen to this song with your eyes closed. What does it sound like to you? What pictures come to your mind?
2. Try listening to several different pieces of music that have no words. As you listen, try painting with watercolors. Don't feel that you have to make a picture of anything. Just play with the colors and let the brush move or dance on the page. (I call these "Color Compositions.")