Gordon: Bark to the Future

Reviewed by: Jill O'Connor - Harriet Beecher Stowe Elementary School, Brunswick, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: July 10, 2018

Review

A spin-off from Spires's Binky series, this GN will appeal to readers who enjoy animals, time travel, and humor. Aliens have invaded Gordon's home, his partner has been captured, and P.U.R.S.T. (Pets of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) has been compromised. It is up to Gordon, alone, to save everyone. Armed with his crafting ability and his brain, Gordon makes the decision to use his untested time travel machine to go back 5 days to warn everyone and stop the invasion. Due to a dastardly button-press, Gordon goes 5 YEARS into the past and has to figure out a way to stay hidden, since he has not yet been born, get more fuel for his machine so he can return to the future and, most importantly, message his team so that the invasion can be stopped. Like Marty McFly, Gordon does find a way to save the day and have a little fun in the process (instead of an electric guitar solo it's a game of BALL!, of course). Spires's all-cap text is simple and clear for the younger reader, and her digital illustrations on glossy paper are adorable and well-executed. A nice addition to the adventure/sci-fi GN list for emerging readers.

Overall Book Score: good