Are you a fan of Raina Telgemeier or Shannon Hale? Then don’t miss PAWS, a new graphic novel series about best friends, cute dogs, and all the fun (and trouble) that comes with them. Perfect for fans of Real Friends , Roller Girl , and Allergic , this funny and heartwarming series is the Baby-Sitters Club for pets! Meet best friends Gabby Jordan, Priya Gupta, and Mindy Park. They’re different in just about every way—personalities, hobbies, family, and more—but they have a few important things in common: they’re all in the same class, they absolutely love animals, and for reasons that are as varied as the trio themselves none of them can actually have any pets. Unable to resist the adorable temptation any longer, the girls decide to come up with a way to finally get their hands on some furry friends. And, as luck would have it, it seems like their neighborhood is in need of some afterschool dog-walkers. So, just like that, PAWS is born! But it turns out that running a business is harder than it looks, especially with three co-owners who are such different people. The girls soon argue about everything, from how to prioritize their commitments to the best way to keep their doggy clients happy. And when their fighting ultimately leads to a doggo crisis, will it tear their business and friendship apart or will they be able to get it together to save the day? Don't miss the other books in the series: Mindy Makes Some Space , Priya Puts Herself First , and Hazel Has Her Hands Full ! Gr 3-6-This upbeat series opener centers on Gabby, a Canadian fifth grader and her two besties, who bond over their love of animals. Lamenting that none of them can own a pet, the girls start a neighborhood dog-walking business: PAWS (Pretty Awesome WalkerS). Headstrong Gabby, fashion-minded Mindy, and sporty Priya share an entrepreneurial spirit and a can-do attitude, but each girl has very different priorities, and they soon find themselves in over their heads. Although their conflicts threaten to undermine the success of their dog-walking venture, the trio ultimately avert a crisis and learn that their friendship is more important than business. Themes of cooperation, problem-solving, and empathy are complemented by lively illustrations, expressive character designs, and easy-to-follow page layouts. The tween dialogue is delightfully accurate; the girls use terms like doggo and floof to refer to their canine charges. Gabby, who is brown-skinned, is part of an interracial family; Priya is of Indian descent; and Mindy is Korean Canadian. VERDICT Reminiscent of Ann M. Martin's "The Babysitters Club," this series starter will be a surefire hit with Raina Telgemeier fans and any reader seeking a solid friendship story. Laugh-out-loud funny and full of heart.-Allison Tranα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Praise for the PAWS series: ★ "Reminiscent of Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-Sitters Club, this series starter will be a surefire hit with Raina Telgemeier fans and any reader seeking a solid friendship story. Laugh-out-loud funny and full of heart." — School Library Journal , starred review ★ " Wholly relatable, perfectly capturing the angst and turmoil of transition. Much like Ann M. Martin’s Baby Sitters Club, this series is poised to feature a different PAWS member in each volume; expect appeal to be similarly high. An honest, heartwarming look at friendship." — Kirkus Reviews , starred review "The story is refreshingly inclusive in its depiction of its distinctive characters and their families, offering a reflection of the world that many readers will find familiar. With expressive faces and body language, the artwork poignantly emphasizes the ups and downs of the girls' experiences. This truly heartwarming story about friendship (and lots and lots of dogs) is a great choice for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale." — Booklist "It's fantastic, it's cute, it's drawn and colored gorgeously, and I think it's going to win a lot of fans. PAWS is here to stay!" —Bryan Lee O’Malley, #1 New York Times bestseller and Eisner award-winning creator of the Scott Pilgrim series   "PAWS is an adorable graphic novel filled with bubbly, beautiful artwork, sharp writing, heart and humor. It's the comic I wish I'd had when I was an animal-loving kid!” —Faith Erin Hicks, New York Times bestseller and Eisner award-winning creator of the Nameless City series "What's a bigger, tougher balance of fun and responsibility than animals? Friends, maybe. And I was really rooting for the three girls from PAWS as they struggled to navigate both. I liked this book a lot!" —Dana Simpson, New York Times bestselling creator of the Phoebe and Her Unicorn series "PAWS is full of humor, personality, and wonderful characters. I couldn’t put it down. You’ll have a barking good time reading PAWS!" —Johnnie Christmas, #1 New York Times bestselling aut