Product Description

Fletcher's no ordinary basset hound. In the first place, his markings form a map of the world. In the second place, his best friend is...a flea.

Fletcher and his flea pal, Jasper, have survived a lot together -- life on the streets, incarceration at the pound, even a flea bath. But now Fletcher has a new home with Jill, and things are looking up. Until Jill and her best friend, Gwen, take Fletcher to school for show-and-tell, and the class's pet rabbit disappears. Everyone knows hounds and hares don't mix, and Fletcher is accused of having done the bunny in. Can he, with a little help from Jasper and Jill and Gwen, sniff out the real rabbit-napper before it's back to the pound for Fletcher?

Product Details

• Published on: 2006-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Audio CD

From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4–Children familiar with Jill and Gwen from the Something Queer series by Elizabeth Levy will love the author's beginning chapter mystery (Aladdin, pap. 2002), illustrated by Mordicai Gerstein, featuring Fletcher, Jill's basset hound, who tells the story. Fletcher is unique—the markings on his fur resemble a map of the world, and his best friend is a flea named Jasper. Jill and Gwen adopt Fletcher from the pound. The girls decide to bring Fletcher to school on show and tell day because of his markings. When the class pet rabbit goes missing, Fletcher is blamed. The brave dog leads the girls to the real rabbit-napper. A brief interlude of opening music sets the stage, preparing listeners for a mystery. Actor William Dufris does a marvelous job of infusing life into Fletcher with his intonation and pitch-perfect voice, and creates individual voices for each male character. Female characters are given unique voices by actress Christine Marshall, who jumps in without missing a beat. A perfect package.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH
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From AudioFile
When Jill chooses a new dog, little does she know that the basset hound will endear himself for both his storytelling and mystery-solving abilities. And, of course, there's his fun-loving sidekick, Jasper the flea! Jasper faces his first challenge as Jill and her friend, Gwen, concoct a school exhibit that includes a snow globe AND Jasper himself. William Dufris and Christine Marshall are a dynamic twosome. They alternate characters, accentuating the action and pacing while providing distinctive characterization. Fletcher is an exuberant and adoring pet; Gwen, an ever enthusiastic, faithful friend; James and several other 8-year-olds, typically annoying. Listen in to this engaging story. A.R. © AudioFile 2006, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Gr. 2-5. Fletcher, the sleepy-eyed basset hound from Levy's Something Queer series, becomes lead protagonist and detective in this new Ready-for-Chapters book. When eight-year-old Jill adopts Fletcher the stray dog, he and his best flea friend, Jasper, are happy to get a home. Things are looking up until Jill takes Fletcher, with his unique markings, to show-and-tell. Fletcher is initially a hit; but when the class rabbit mysteriously disappears, he's targeted as a potential bunny-eater. However, Fletcher reveals that slow-moving doesn't mean slow-witted, and with Jasper's aid, Fletcher finds and reveals the real culprit. Well paced for a beginning chapter book, this features familiar classroom personalities and activities, as well as plenty of goofy humor, from Jasper's tongue twisters to Fletcher's first-person, descriptive narrative, which includes amusing commentary on human and animal behavior. Readers will enjoy the unlikely but likable dog detective, who discovers the joys of family, has a nose for sleuthing, and enjoys an occasional salami treat. A solid addition to the Ready-for-Chapters series. Illustrations not available for review. Shelle Rosenfeld
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